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, May 18 th, 2026 7:00 PM

AGENDA

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on May 18, 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 Jeff Jacobs, Caiden Litteken, Alex Voss, Chase Varel, Conner Carrillon and Craig Schroeder.

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

Dr. Foutch informed the Board that if anyone would like to attend the Triple I Conference in Chicago on November 20-22, 2026, please let him know.

The Clinton County Academic Excellence Banquet was held on Wednesday, April 29th. There were sixteen students from Central recognized with their parents at the event. This was the 29th Annual celebration of the four schools and I have to say that our Central students represented themselves extremely well at the event. It continues to be one of our favorite evenings of the school year.

On Wednesday, May 13th we will host our 20th Annual Academic Achievement Awards program. 81 students will be rewarded in various ways for four years of excellent work. The average amount of scholarship offers for students in this group was over $125,000, and they received $10,160,000 in total.

The Committee to Support Central continues to focus on increasing opportunities for students and promoting Central in the community. The “Cougar Pride” program is a success and will continue to create an opportunity for businesses and individuals to become a member at various levels of contribution (Gold, Silver, and Bronze). Next year, the CSC will again partner with PAWS in a joint fundraising effort where donors can contribute to both groups with one form. This format worked well for the CSC last year and we nearly doubled our annual revenue from the fundraising drive. The Committee to Support Central now stewards seventeen scholarships and holds over $200,000 in fiduciary accounts with us. They also recently donated $30,000 to our musical and band sound system project, $2500 toward our school’s promotional videos, $22,000 for our district’s “Elevate” Magazine, and $2500 for our district’s 8th Grade Cougar Academy.

We are waiting for confirmation on the allocation of funds from the Perkins and the Career and Technical Education grants with the C.T.E. program for next year. (We are hoping for approximately the same as last year.) However, even if that transpires, those funds will not be dispersed until a later point in time.

A motion to approve a resolution authorizing and providing for an Installment Purchase agreement for the purpose of paying the cost of purchasing real or personal property, or both, in and for Central Community High School District 71, Clinton, Bond, and Madison Counties, Illinois and authorizing and providing for the issue of not to exceed $1,000,000 General Obligation (limited Tax) Debt Certificates, Series, 2026, of said district evidencing the rights to payment under such agreement, prescribing the details of the agreement and certificates, and providing for the security for and means of payment under the agreement of the certificates 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 schedule an Amended Budget Hearing on June 15th at 6:45PM 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 employ Brian Short as the Zero Period Physical Education teacher for FY2027 was made 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

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

A motion to approve the resignation of Keith Patterson as the Girls Soccer coach 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

A motion to employ Greg Meyer, Hunter Kehrer and Zane Lout as Temporary Summer Maintenance employees 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 employ Lucah Lyons and Max Niemeyer as Summer Tech Support employees was made by Julie, 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 Cheerleading to Lincoln-Way Central and Tinley Park on June 25-26 was made by Kori, 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 Football to attend camp at Illinois College on July 18-19 was made by Tanya, second by Tim. 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 Central Honor Society Chapter inducted 37 new members from the Class of 2027, as well as 8 new members from the Class of 2026. Requirements for Honor Society are…students must have a 3.8 GPA after their fifth or seventh semester, while also demonstrating the highest qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, and service.

Prom 2026 “Midnight in Bloom” - King, Brady Voss and Queen, Karsyn Voss. A HUGE thank you to Andrea Henry and Merideth Timmermann for planning a spectacular night.

Central Day at Busch Stadium. The Central community once again showed up in full force! The team sold over 600 tickets and profited extremely well from the fundraiser, but that’s nowhere near the story of the day, actually we had two of them…please see the below email and attached Facebook image.

Central hosted the Unified Track and Field Regional Meet, and once again we came out on top with a first place finish earning yet another state appearance. Congratulations to all the members of the 2026 team and to our coaches Crystalynn Huegen and Gina Benhoff.

Our GIRLS Club brought in guest speaker, Assistant State's Attorney, Jessica Book to give a presentation on Domestic Violence in Dating.

Clinton County Top 10% Banquet. This is always a great night and a special honor for the best of the best in our county. Central students represented themselves extremely well and I couldn’t be more proud of them. (Greta Jansen, Lydia Kuhn, Aiden Huegen, Landon Baker, Dalton Baker, Kaelyn Gebke, Carter Spihlmann, Kara Schomaker, Grace Henrichs, Sophie Markus, Aubrey Rakers, Mabree Strubhart, Dalila Bajarro, Lauren Daugherty, Tessa Schroeder, and Jay Klemish)

Central hosted our annual Spring Career Fair. We had over 40 businesses, schools and military organizations present, giving our students every opportunity imaginable. A HUGE shoutout to Gina Benhoff for planning the event and making it happen.

Spring Band and Chorus Concert - both groups were absolutely amazing, but I was especially impressed with the choir. The improvement they made from the fall to now was incredible and I am super proud of all of them. Big thanks to Mr. Ordaz for directing these students and producing such an amazing concert.

Congratulations to the following students for completing the Illinois State Certified Nursing Assistant program and state test successfully. Isaiah Becker, Peyton Benhoff, Summer Boien, Paige Cayson, Izzy Gilomen, Brooke Harrison, Caden Klay, Ethan Korte, Sarah Landis, Sophie Markus, Adalyn Morris, Tia Reaka, Mia Rickhoff, Mabree Strubhart, Laney Tebbe, Madi Wuebbels. These students are now eligible to work as a CNA in the state of Illinois.

Academic Awards Night - this is an incredibly special night every year, but this year was extra special with 81 students receiving academic scholarships. A HUGE thank you to Jill Varel for planning the event.

FLS (Functional Life Skills) Graduation - the FLS class graduated two amazing young men from their program, Nick Huelsmann and Dameyn Rakers. Both of them have left their mark on Central High School in ways they cannot begin to imagine, and we are so blessed to have had them here at Central.

The board adjourned the meeting at 7:42PM 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

Mary Lou Voss           Kori Voss             

Board President                                     Board Secretary