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, March 16, 2026 7:00 PM

AGENDA

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on March 16, 2026 at 7:00PM 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 Karrie Kujawa and the Varsity Girls Basketball Team and coaches.

The agenda was amended and approved on a motion by Laura, second by Kori. 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 Tim, 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 a new sound system at Astroth Field for $137,079.76 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 the proposed 26-27 calendar 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 an overnight trip for the Science Olympiad team to attend the State competition on April 17-18 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

A motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement for the Central Community Education Association’s Collective Bargaining Agreement to include the Pay Scale and Extra Duty pay Scale of the PECT Coordinator position was made by Kori, second by Brandon. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None


PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:

Since we last met, our kids and probably our teachers got their wish with two snow days!! The weather in the last week of January was brutal, but we got through it and saved one snow day. As you know, we will take three traditional snow days before transitioning to E-Learning. We are hopeful that the snow is over and we can lock in our last days of school.

Central is blessed with two very talented basketball coaches and their records speak for themselves. On January 15th, Coach Rueter earned his 500th win and then on January 30th, Coach Shubert earned his 300th win. These are both amazing accomplishments and we are lucky to have both of them working with our kids everyday.

Central Competitive Cheer - Sectional Champs @ Edwardsville and State Champions @ Bloomington. I have invited the cheer team and coaches to the meeting, and Coach Jacob will talk briefly about all of their accomplishments.

Huge congratulations goes out to Julianne Jacob and Gina Benhoff for being named NFHS Spirit Coaches of the Year! This is a tremendous honor and well deserved for two of the best around!!

All teacher observations have been completed and will be finalized in March.

8th Grade Shadowing Program 2-2 and 2-3 - Aviston (37) out of 52 (-15) 2-4 and 2-5 - D12 (55) all attended 2-9 - Bartelso/D’Ville (17) out of 30 (-13) 2-10 - G’Town (18) out of 25 (-7) 2-11 - Albers (15) out of 22 (-7) 2-12 - St. Rose (17) out of 21 (-4) Also, (3) from ASA, (1) Edwardsville, (2) Millstadt Total
-165 in attendance, 46 did not attend

ESports 2026 - we have 20 students participating in our unified program this year and they had their first match on February 3. A huge thank you to Mrs. Koerkenmeier for sponsoring this awesome group of students and giving them the opportunity to compete.

Science Olympiad - On January 31st our Science Olympiad Team, along with Coach Kujawa and Coach Macke traveled to Wash U to take on 30 teams from multiple states. Our team of 14 members competed in 23 different tests of scientific knowledge and engineering tasks. Collectively the team placed 10th overall, with 9 top 10 individual placements and 1 First Place Medal! Congratulations to Hunter Farrington and Rachel Book, who placed 1st in Circuit Lab. The Science Olympiad Team will be back in action on February 28th at SWIC for regional.
Big congratulations to our FFA members who recently competed with their recordbooks. We had 4 students get first, and they will be moving on to the district contest on March 4th. - Caiden Litteken in Agri-science research and integrated systems - Alex Voss in Fruit and nut production - Blake Wolter in Forage Production - Conner Carrillon in grain production 2nd place finishers were… - Addison Tebbe in Beef Entrepreneurship and Placement - Chase Varel in Ag mechanics repair and maintenance - Tyler Ratermann in Ag mechanics design and fabrication

Congratulations to the Central FFA Meat Judging Team! On February 7th they competed in the Section 22 FFA Meat Judging Contest at Wenneman's Meat Market and placed 1st in the section with individual results as follows… - 1st Place Addison Tebbe - 2nd Place Lilly Behrmann - other team members contributing to the win were Cayden Holtgrave, Hayden Blumenstein, Lucas Pate and Tyler Ratermann.

Our annual Cougar Academy is fast approaching and Mrs. Koerkenmeier has been planning the perfect day. Cougar Academy Emcees have been chosen! We had a lot of great applicants, so our committee of faculty members who made these selections had a tough job! Our emcees will be: Karsyn Voss, Janae Toennies, Kara Schomaker, and Xavier Knapp.

Our GIRLS (Growing in Resilience and Strength) Club, along with sponsor Mrs. Wellen will be hosting a “Girls Night Out” here at Central on March 7th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. The night will include music, crafts, and games.

Our School Improvement Team met last week and made the decision to administer the practice ACT test to all juniors. This will take place the morning of Friday, March 6th which is an early dismissal day. The team felt it was best for our kids to be exposed to the test prior to the official day, especially this year, as the ACT requirement is new this year and completely online.

Lastly, on Wednesday, February 11 we had a very special student surprise. SIUE contacted Ms. Lohman earlier in the month to let her know one of our students was selected for the Meridian Scholarship, which is the University's highest academic honor. (full tuition, room and board, and meals). Members of the SIUE faculty, along with the Vice Chancellor, Andy Benoit and full filming crew arrived at Central to surprise senior student Eleanor Bowen. Congratulations to Ellie, we are super proud of you!


A motion to approve the IHSA membership for 2026-27 school year was made by Julie, second by Tim. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None


The board entered into closed session on a motion by Tim, second by Tanya to discuss possible litigation fees.Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tanya Kampwerth, Brandon Hogg, Julie Koerkenmeier. Nay – None. Motion carried at 7:26PM

The board entered back into open session 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 Motion carried at 7:41PM.

The board adjourned the meeting at 7:42PM on a motion 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

Mary Lou Voss           Kori Voss             

Board President                                     Board Secretary