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, April 20th, 2026 7:00 PM

AGENDA

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on April 20, 2026 at 6:00PM in the Media Center.

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

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

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

We are currently evaluating the best way to fund our upcoming HVAC and roofing projects. Bernardi Securities is in the process of securing interest rates for a 5-year debt certificate, which we expect to have available by the May board meeting. At the same time, I am gathering interest rates from our approved financial institutions for a $1 million, 5-year certificate of deposit (CD).
Once we have both sets of rates, we will compare the cost of borrowing against the potential return on investing. If the interest we can earn on the CD exceeds the interest we would pay on the debt certificate,we will consider moving forward with issuing the debt and investing our funds. If the borrowing cost is higher than the investment return, it will be more financially prudent to use cash to complete the projects.

The 28th Annual Clinton County Academic Excellence Banquet will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 29th at the Albers Legion. Central has sixteen students and their parents who will be recognized at the event. This is a great opportunity each year to reward and bring attention to those students who achieved great academic success. We thank all of our corporate sponsors (especially the Clinton County Electric Cooperative from our district) for funding the event.

The 20th Annual Academic Achievement Awards program will be held on Wednesday, May 13th at 7:00 PM in the Commons. Invitations will be sent to those students being honored and their parents.

A motion to approve the pay application to Baer Heating and Cooling for $251,747.55 for the purchase of materials for our upcoming HVAC and roofing project was made by Tim, second by Julie. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None

A motion to employ Tyson Zobrist as the Boys Soccer 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, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None

A motion to approve the resignation of Marilyn Schulte as the conclusion of this school year was made by Julie, second by Brandon. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None

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

A motion to approve an additional stipend for Bennett Richter for $10,500 annually for risk reduction services related to Athletics was made by Laura, second by Tanya. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Abstain - Tim Richter Nay – None

A motion to approve the resignation of Tea Cripe as the JV Cheer Coach was made by Julie, second by Kori. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None

A motion to approve an overnight trip for the Boys Golf team to Bloomington on July 16-17 was made by Brandon, second by Tim. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None

A motion to approve an overnight trip for the FFA to attend the State Convention in Springfield on June 9-10 was made by Tim, second by Julie. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None

A motion to approve an overnight trip for FBLA to attend the National Convention in San Antonio, Texas on June 28-July 2 was made by Brandon, second by Koir. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None

A motion to approve an overnight trip for the Boys Basketball team to Eastern Illinois on June 5-6 was made by Tanya, second by Laura. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None

A motion to approve an overnight trip for the Girls Basketball team to Branson, MO on June 21-24 was made by Julie, second by Laura. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:

The spring musical “Mean Girls” was held March 19-21. A HUGE shoutout to the entire cast as well as director Lauren Langhauser. It’s always nice to see the talents and personalities of our kids come out in these events.

Friday, March 20th Central participated in our version of the Polar Plunge for special olympics. This year Central raised a total of $5,274.00 and had 35 CHS plungers. The top two fundraisers were Delayni Davinroy and Kiera Hart and because they raised the most they got to pick a staff member to plunge with them. Kaleb Barry and Tommy Baro were the lucky winners!

Spring Parent Teacher Conferences were held on Tuesday, March 24. Parent attendance in the spring is always much lower than the fall, but it’s still a great opportunity for us to talk with our parents and for them to ask questions.

Congratulations to three of our amazing FFA members who went to the state record book competition. Caiden Litteken and Conner Carrillon were top five in the state and Alex Voss was named the state champion in the area of Fruit and Nut Production. Huge Congratulations to these three boys, we are super proud of them!

Our FFA chapter hosted another very successful Drive Thru Porkchop Dinner. They served almost 800 dinners that evening and profited nearly $12000. The success of this event helps to pay for registration fees, hotel rooms, and food for their many trips they take throughout the year. Other great news because of this fundraiser, the alumni will be awarding three scholarships this year totaling $3000!!!

Central HOSA hosted a blood drive on Wednesday, March 25 and would like to thank those who signed up to donate. Among the thirty-two students, staff, and community members who showed up to donate, nine were first time donors. Thirty-five total units were collected which can help up to 105 people. Giving blood takes only about an hour of your time and can truly save a person's life.

The Central 2026 Prom Court is… Queen Candidates - Mabry Benhoff, Peyton Benhoff, Lucah Lyons, Alexia Morris, Taylor Trame, and Karsyn Voss King Candidates - Nathan Behrman, Miles Browne, Cole Davis, Clayton Jansen, Brady Voss, and Matthew Walsh

THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Mrs. Koerkenmeier for all of her efforts and work with planning the Cougar Academy. This program is definitely a group effort, and takes an army to make it happen, so thank you to all of our teachers that helped out as well. We had 160 eighth graders sign up, and 74 high school leaders, so it was an awesome turn out!

The CEO trade show was held on Friday, April 10 from 4-7PM at the St. Rose Development Center. There were some amazing new start-ups for everyone to check out and I was super proud of our students for their work and designs. Central’s CEO members are Landon Baker, Dalton Baker, Cole Davis, Shelby Hagen, Leyla Linder, and Aiden Huegen.


A motion to approve Handbook Policy changes as presented was made by Laura, second by Tanya. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None


The board adjourned the meeting at 6:32PM on a motion by Tanya, second by Kori. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None

Mary Lou Voss           Kori Voss             

Board President                                     Board Secretary