Brown County Elementary School Building | Brown County Community Unit School District 1
Brown County Elementary School Building | Brown County Community Unit School District 1
Brown County Community Unit School District 1 Board met March 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on Monday evening, March 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Brown County Middle School library. The meeting was called to order by President, Dawn Hughes. The meeting minutes were recorded by McKenzie Taute.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, absent; Gregory, yea.
Attendance: Lan Eberle, Pollee Craven, Lisa Hannel, Jessica Robertson, McKenzie Taute, Holly Acheson, Jason Garthaus, Rick Kunkel, Ashley Gregory, Alivia Stinebaker, Alex Gregory, Maxwell Bradley, Regina Bradley.
Public Comment: None.
Visitors:
Mrs. Craven recognized the Brown County High School Student of the Month, Alivia Stinebaker. Dr. Eberle recognized the Brown County Middle School Student of the Month, Maxwell Bradley.
Dr. Eberle recognized Rick Kunkel for receiving the Pioneer Athletics Field of Excellence Award for the sixteenth year in a row.
Jason Garthaus provided several updates on behalf of the high school Bass Fishing Team. Garthaus reported that fifteen students have joined the team, and six volunteers have offered their time and resources to be boat captains for the team. Garthaus mentioned many local organizations and businesses that have come forward to donate to the program. Garthaus said through donations each student will receive a rod, reel, lures, and a life vest.
Holly Acheson, middle/high school counselor, shared highlights about the school counseling program. Acheson discussed several student activities and opportunities including BCHS College & Military Fair Night, access to college representatives during the lunch period, student/counselor small groups, and mental health awareness activities. Acheson mentioned collecting and reviewing data to address needs and empower students, parents, staff and administration.
Motion by Koch, seconded by Eichelberger, to approve the Consent Agenda. Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Correspondence: Thank you cards from staff were passed around.
Reports: None.
Discussion Items:
Revenue and Expenditure Update: Dr. Eberle explained that as of March 13, 2025, the district was 70% through the fiscal year, had received 98% of expected revenue and disbursed 75% of expected expenditures.
Building Project Update: Eberle reported the following:
• The classroom addition area is now considered “in the dry”, roofing work is not complete, but the interior is now protected from weather.
• Continuation of exterior brick and block veneer installation work in the classroom addition.
• Wall cavity insulation install is happening in the classroom addition.
• Drywall installation work is following the insulation work.
• Painting in the weight room and drywall taping is scheduled to begin on Monday (3/17).
• Continuation of drywall work in the classroom addition.
• Continuation of exterior brick and block veneer installation work.
Health Life Safety Visit: Eberle discussed the February 11, 2025, Health Life Safety visit. Eberle noted a few findings that he expected would be able to be addressed by the district’s maintenance team.
Beth Boylen mentioned she had attended several high school boys basketball games this past season. Boylen noted that she was impressed with the player and coach interactions. Boylen also thanked coach Jeff Bottorff for the donation of his coaching stipend to the boys basketball program.
Next Board Meeting April 14, 2025, at 5:15 p.m.
Eberle explained that the district used four emergency days, making the anticipated last student attendance day May 29, 2025.
Motion by Ingram, seconded by Eichelberger, to approve the 2024 – 2025 Amended School Calendar.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Gregory, seconded by Ingram, to approve the 2025 – 2026 Proposed School Calendar.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Eberle asked for direction from the board on the percentage of Treasurer’s bond coverage they would like to maintain. Eberle explained that while the current percentage of coverage is set at a minimum of 25% of the prior fiscal years ending cash and investment balance, the board could decide to lower the coverage amount to as low as 10%. Eberle said the ability to decrease the bonding threshold is related to the districts financial status according to the State Board of Education’s School District Financial Profile System. The board discussed lowering the coverage amount to 12% for fiscal year 2025 and revisiting annually.
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Gregory, to approve Setting the Treasurer’s Bond Coverage to 12% for Fiscal Year 2025 and Revisiting Annually.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Ingram, seconded by Koch, to approve the 2025 – 2026 IHSA Membership Renewal.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the 2025 – 2026 IESA Membership Renewal.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Renewal of the 2025 – 2026 & 2026 – 2027 IESA Cooperative with St. Mary’s School.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Sunday Practices for the Bass Fishing Team.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Eichelberger, to enter closed session at 6:37 p.m. for the following subjects: 1. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity,9. Security procedures, school building safety and security, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property. 10. Student disciplinary cases.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to return to open session at 7:18 p.m.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Ingram, to approve the minutes of closed session.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Alternative Disciplinary Agreement for Student 25B.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Voluntary Transfer of Jami Schuwerk - SEL Educator (5 additional days)/Guidance Dean (10 additional days) to Middle School Teacher (180 total days) – effective end of 2024 – 2025 School Year.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Retirement of Julie Kallenbach – Middle School Teacher – effective end of 2025 – 2026 School Year.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Resignation of Katie Berens – High School Volleyball Coach – effective February 19, 2025.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Resignation of Roger Hulvey – High School Assistant Golf Coach – effective March 12, 2025.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Resignation of Aldo Ossa – Long Term Substitute Teacher – effective end of 2024 – 2025 School Year.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Employment of Madalyn Clark – Support Staff Substitute – Effective February 27, 2025.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Employment of Sandy Prather – High School Softball Assistant Coach – Split Stipend – effective March 3, 2025.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Employment of Kristen Schenk – Elementary School Secretary – effective March 17, 2025.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Employment of Lynn Franklin – Cook – effective March 17, 2025.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Employment of Melissa Ransom – Volunteer Junior High Track Assistant Coach – effective March 17, 2025.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Employment of Susan Houston – High School Softball Assistant Coach – Split Stipend – effective March 17, 2025.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Employment of Chris Blake, Wes Oxley, Jeremy Pruden, Rick Garthaus, Garrett Oxley, and Kyle Van Meter – Volunteer Bass Fishing Boat Captains – effective March 17, 2025.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to approve the Maternity Leave Request for Jenna Harrelson – approximately May 5, 2025, through the end of the 2024 – 2025 School Year.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Boylen, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea.; Ingram, yea Gregory, yea. Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to adjourn at 7:23 p.m.
Motion Carried by Acclamation
https://www.bchornets.com/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/671298282f062/March%2017%20DRAFT%20meeting%20minutes.pdf
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