Community High School District #71

Central Community High School District #71

7740 Old U.S. 50, Breese, IL 62230
BOARD OF EDUCATION - Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 7:00 PM

AGENDA

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on January 20, 2026 at 7:00PM in the Media Center.

Members present were Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen and Brandon Hogg. Visitors included Britni Hogg.

The agenda was amended and approved on a motion by Tim, second by Kori. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved on a motion by Brandon, second by Laura. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None

The closed session minutes of the previous 6 months were kept closed on a motion by Tim, second by Tanya. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None

The financial report and payment of bills were reviewed and accepted on a motion by Brandon, second by Kori. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Julie Koerkenmeier - Abstain Nay – None

The elementary districts administered the ACT Test to 8th graders in December. We will use the results of this assessment for class placement and also to measure longitudinal academic growth of our students

The annual 8th Grade Information Night will be held on Wednesday, January 14th. We plan to have over twenty-five groups, clubs, organizations, and athletic teams represented at the event, and we will also conduct tours of the building throughout the evening. We are hoping to welcome a large number of families to the event, and we would also like to thank Mrs. Benhoff, Mrs. Toennies, Mr. Gebke, Mrs. Wellen, Coach Short, and Mrs. Painter for volunteering to be tour guides for the event..

Central has been selected to receive one of the State of Illinois $50,000 School Maintenance Grants. Our plan is to use the funds for the roof and HVAC project that will be taking place this summer.

This summer we would like to complete a refresh of our agriculture and industrial trades shops. We would like to paint the areas, add new LED lighting, and also upgrade some of the machinery and furniture. The project in these rooms would be completed similarly to how we upgraded our art classroom a couple of summers ago. Dr. Foutch also met with FGM architects on Wednesday, January 14th to discuss the Asthroth Field locker room, bathroom, and concession stand project. Our architect plans to give us some possible floor plans for the project with the approximate cost of completion.

A motion to employ Kate Hoerle as our Health Occupations instructor starting the 2026-27 school year pending all necessary requirements are met was made by Kori, second by Julie. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None

A motion to employ Gina Benhoff as our College and Career Coordinator starting the 2026-27 school year was made by Brandon, second by Laura. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None

A motion to employ Marty Stewart as our Athletic Trainer starting the 2026-27 school year was made by Tim, second by Tanya. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None

A motion to employ Nathan Rueter as our Cross Country coach was made by Laura, second by Julie. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None

A motion to employ Brian Gass as a volunteer baseball coach pending all necessary requirements are met was made by Kori, second by Tanya. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None

A motion to approve an overnight trip for HOSA for their State Convention in Springfield on March 18-20 was made by Brandon, second by Laura. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None


PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:

On January 5th we welcomed everyone back from their two week winter break with a Teacher In-Service. Our wonderful kitchen staff provided breakfast and we had a short meeting before letting the staff get into their rooms to prepare for students on the next day, January 6th..

January 9 - Trisha Lohman conducted her annual college roundtable. It was great to see our past graduates and hear them share their college experiences and offer advice to our current seniors

January 10 - PAWS Girl’s Basketball Shootout - it was a great day of basketball and a HUGE shootout goes to our PAWS organization for all their hard work, not only that day, but for the months of planning it takes to organize a successful day. received numerous Nathan Rueter messages from coaches thanking him for the day and that it’s nice to come to such a well run event. On a side note, we heard lots of positive comments about our building in general, the cleanliness of it, as well as all the nice things. It looks like a small college around here was one comment I heard quite often.

January 10 - SAL (Sons of the American Legion) in Aviston, 20th Annual Black Tie Talent Show. Once again the night was full of Central students, both past and present. It’s such a great night and I’m always blown away by the talent of the kids. It makes me incredibly proud to see our students perform and compete for some well earned scholarship money. This year’s winners are listed below… 1st - Makenna Budde - Central 2nd - Zachary Peters - Central 3rd - Naomi Knapp - Central 4th - Ellie Bowen - Central 5th - Landyn Mitchell 6th - Jillian Krack - Central 7th - Mason Hilmes - Central 8th - Callie Ferguson 9th - Candace Schomaker - Central

January 14 - CEO recruitment day @ Central - all current members of the CEO program were here at Central to talk with the junior class and give their best sales pitch as to why they should join CEO next year. A huge shout out to Cheryl Timmermann pushing them every day to become the best version of themselves.

Lastly, 8th Grade Information Night was held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. This is one of my favorite nights of the year!! I love getting the opportunity to talk about all of the amazing things that are happening here at Central. Attendance this year was fantastic, as we handed out 160 folders, and that doesn’t include 15 girl’s basketball players that had regional games. These are the most folders we have handed out in my time here. A huge thank you to our six tour guides…Gina Benhoff, Crissy Toennies, Travis Gebke, Sara Wellen, Harley Painter and Brian Short.

The board entered into closed session on a motion by Tim, second by Tanya to discuss personnel. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None. Motion carried at 7:37PM

The board entered back into open session on a motion by Kori, second by Brandon. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None Motion carried at 7:45PM.

The board adjourned the meeting at 7:46PM on a motion by Tim, second by Julie. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Julie Koerkenmeier, Tanya Kampwerth, Laura Jansen, Brandon Hogg. Nay – None

Mary Lou Voss           Kori Voss             

Board President                                     Board Secretary