Community High School District #71

Central Community High School District #71

7740 Old U.S. 50, Breese, IL 62230
BOARD OF EDUCATION - Regular Meeting
Monday, March 17th, 2025 7:00 PM

AGENDA

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on March 17, 2025 at 7:00PM in the Media Center.

Members present were Mary Lou Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter and Amy Kruse.  Laura Jansen was absent. 

The agenda was approved on a motion by Jeff, second by Kori.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved on a motion by Amy, second by Tanya.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

The financial report and payment of bills were reviewed and accepted on a motion by Jeff, second by Kori.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

Dr.  Foutch updated the board on our projects this summer.  We will be switching out our main electrical switchgear, which is 20 years overdue, immediately upon the conclusion of the school year.   This project will require all the power to be shut off for a minimum of two weeks so the office staff will be working remotely during that time.  Our maintenance staff will work on various outdoor projects during this timeframe.  Once this project is complete, we plan on starting the asbestos abatement in rooms 2E, 3E, 4E, and 6E, which we expect to begin around the middle of June.  We also plan for the turf install to begin on the Tuesday after Memorial Day, and for the gym bleacher project to take place during the last week of July and the first week of August. 

A motion to approve 2025-26 School Calendar as presented was made by Kori, second by Amy. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

A motion to approve the resignation of Cathy Kohnen as a Science teacher was made by Tim, second by Kori. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

A motion to approve the resignation of Britni Hogg as the Journalism Sponsor was made by Kori, second by Tanya.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

A motion to approve the non-renewal of Lydia Benhoff as the assistant volleyball coach was made by Kori, second by Tanya.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

A motion to approve an overnight trip for FFA to attend the State Dairy Judging Contest was made by Amy, second by Jeff.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None  

A motion to approve an overnight trip for the Science Olympiad team to attend the State Contest was made by Tim, second by Amy. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

Dr. Foutch discussed with the Board the possibility of charging fees for private companies who use our facilities.  We have a few individuals who use our gyms and field house to provide private lessons, for a profit, to kids in our community.  Since the individuals are earning money, it seems fair that we charge them for the use of our facility.  Obviously, we want our buildings open to youth teams in our community, and since those are run as “not for profit,” they should have to pay a fee.  Also, all the current groups that use our facilities are also taxpayers to our district so allowing them access is a good thing.  


PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:

FFA week, FBLA week, and Respect week (Special Olympics). All three of these organizations raised awareness and/or money for a cause to go along with three straight weeks of dress up days. FFA week included ticket sales for their annual pork chop dinner which sold approximately 900!! FBLA week raised money for the Alzheimer’s Association with the Pie in the Face contest. This year’s lucky winners were Greg Meyer, Kevin Crask, Ryan Meyer, and Luke Zurliene (Ryan’s student teacher). Respect week was all about awareness and pledging to be respectful, while also starting the initial push towards the Polar Plunge on March 21. Thank you to Harley Painter, Jeff Jacobs, Morgan Keck and Gina Benhoff for sponsoring these weeks and the organizations.

As part of Dr. Suess week and Read Across America, Mrs. Shanafelt and Mrs. Florczyk took 84 students around to all the grade schools in the district to read to our young people. Our students were amazing and we received a number of special messages from teachers in those schools. 

Freshmen Pre-Registration Night was held from 3:00-7:00 PM. We had a great turnout with 130 students registering that evening. The night ran smoother than ever and the efficiency of the volunteers was incredible to say the least! I did not see one family all night that had to wait in a line. A HUGE thank you to Wendy Jones and Trisha Lohman for organizing the night and securing all of our volunteers. Also, a HUGE thanks to those volunteers…Becky Boeschen, Stacey Boruff, Tiffany Decker, Rachel Faust, Travis Gebke, Kristen Hogg, Jeff Jacobs, Mara Koerkenmeier, Sara Loepker, Ami Shanafelt, and Codi Swires. Also helping that evening were student council members Aubrey Rakers, Rhett Malone, Cruz Contreras, Zoe Luth, Piper Kujawa, Caden Klay, Hayleigh Holtmann, Clayton Jansen, Maya Kampwerth, Ella Henrichs, and Ava Strake.

Central hosted the Clinton County Honor Band Festival, which included students from Central, Wesclin, Mater Dei, and Carlyle. It was a full day event with students arriving at 8:00am and leaving around 8:00pm. This event provides much more than great music, it provides students with the opportunity to learn from students in other schools, learn from a different director, and learn new styles of music. Thank you to Mr. Ordaz for organizing the event. Central had the following students participate…Ellie Garrison, Max Niemeyer, Jensen Tebbe, Mason Hilmes, Chase Huegen, Abigail Hermeling, Caden Klay, Xavier Knapp, Rylan Segert, Journey Klasing, Summer Boien, Marcela Contreras, Zach Peters, Milo Allen, Tyree Jackson, and Willow Toennies

Poettker Construction will be providing a presentation during Advisory on Friday, March 14th. During the presentation, their recruiting team will discuss the options they have available in the skilled trades. Poettker is looking to hire current seniors, help them get into one of the skilled trades unions, and give them an opportunity to work for a local, growing, and outstanding company.

Nursing guest speaker Amanda Ennen from St. Joseph's Hospital was here to discuss the nursing field and answer questions. This was a great opportunity for our students to learn more about the nursing profession!

In an impressive display of knowledge and teamwork, the Varsity Scholar Bowl Cougars emerged victorious on February 26 at Mater Dei, securing the coveted Bragging Rights. The Cougars showcased their skills by defeating Carlyle, Wesclin, and the host team Mater Dei, ultimately claiming the championship in the Clinton County Tournament.

In an electrifying display of skill, Jensen "J-Dawg" Tebbe emerged as the standout player for the Cougars, racking up an impressive 10 toss-ups. Not far behind, Max Niemeyer contributed 6 to the team's total, proving to be a key asset on the court. Hunter Farrington also made his mark with 4 toss-ups, while Chase Huegen and Zach Peters each added 3, rounding out a strong performance from the team.

Women Changing the Face of Agriculture conference was held on Friday March 7th. Central was represented by these ten amazing young ladies…Cara Carrillon, Shelby Hagen, Kora Eversgerd, Addison Tebbe, Peyton Markus, Grace Henrichs, Josie Muskopf, Kylie Rakers, Sarah Kohnen, Maecie Carrillon.

Congratulations to the Cougar Science Olympiad team for placing 3rd in the SWIC regional and advancing to the state competition. These 13 cougars brought home 35 individual medals and the team took 3rd place overall at the regional.

The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association held their annual All-State selection meeting and several members of the girls basketball team were recognized. Congratulations to Taylor Trame for earning 1st team All-State recognition. Congratulations are also in order for CeCe Toennies who earned 2nd team recognition and Lily Butler who earned honorable Mention.

The IPA Student Recognition Breakfast is being held on Thursday, March 13 at Greenville University. This year’s Central representative is senior Maya Bedard! Maya is an incredible young lady, and the perfect selection for this award. I have invited her to the meeting, so I will share more about her then.

Continuing our professional development in the area of Artificial Intelligence, Joe Fatheree was back to train a group of teachers on how to implement AI in the classroom. We had one representative from each department…Jon Howard, Gina Benhoff, Julianne Jacob, Britni Hogg, Kristen Hogg, Rachel Faust, Megan Porterfield, Morgan Keck, and Merideth Timmermann 

Congratulations to Julianne Jacob on being inducted into the Illinois High School Cheerleading Coaches Organization Hall of Fame!!

Spring Musical - Central presents “Guys and Dolls” on March 20-22 all showtimes are 7:00PM! 

Spring Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, March 25 from 6:00-8:30PM.

A motion to approve the 2025-26 IHSA membership was made by Tim, second by Tanya. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

The board entered into closed session on a motion by Kori, second by Amy to discuss Collective Bargaining, and Personnel. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None.  Motion carried at 8:05PM

The board entered back into open session on a motion by Jeff, second by Tanya. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None.  Motion carried at 8:32PM.

The board adjourned the meeting on a motion by Tim, second by Tanya at 8:33PM.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Jeff Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

Mary Lou Voss                    Amy Kruse                  

Board President                                    Board Secretary