West Central Reporter

Brown County Community Unit School District 1 Board met April 14.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on Monday evening, April 14, 2025, at 5:15 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, absent, Koch yea, Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea.

Attendance: Lan Eberle, Alex Ebbing, Lisa Hannel, Jessica Robertson, Kris Gallaher, McKenzie Taute, Kathy Grady, Roger Ehret, Brian Roberts, Troy Roberts, Bill Mitchell, Kim Mitchell, Deb Kemper, Danielle Logsdon, Casey Perry, Brooke Williams, Lathan Williams, Myranda Staton, Ella Staton, Jolene Hall, Dan Long, David Phelps, Jessica Mathewson, Dave Mathewson, Sami Mathewson, Peyton Wegs, Pollee Craven 6:21 p.m.

Visitors:

Mr. Ebbing recognized the Brown County Middle School Student of the Month, Ella Staton.

Public Comment: President, Dawn Hughes, read a statement on behalf of the board acknowledging district staff members. Hughes thanked staff referring to them as the backbone of our educational system. Hughes also highlighted the bus drivers in attendance and discussed some of the key challenges school bus drivers face.

Jolene Hall addressed the board regarding transportation concerns. Hall asked the board to consider reviewing transportation procedures to eliminate future issues.

Visitors:

Dr. Eberle recognized the Brown County High School Student of the Month, Sami Mathewson.

Motion by Gregory, seconded by Eichelberger, to approve the Consent Agenda. 

Roll call: Hughes, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea. Motion Carried

Correspondence: None

Reports: None

Discussion Items:

Revenue and Expenditure Update: Dr. Eberle explained that as of April 10, 2025, the district was 78% through the fiscal year, had received 101% of expected revenue and disbursed 80% of expected expenditures. Eberle mentioned that the district will begin work on amending the current budget.

Building Project Update: Eberle provided the following building project updates:

• Continued drywall, painting, electrical, and lighting work in addition

• Ceiling grid and tile installation is progressing in the addition

• Epoxy flooring in the addition restrooms is complete

• Asbestos abatement will begin May 20 in the cafeteria restrooms

Eberle explained that the current timeline indicates that the locker rooms, two northwest classrooms, and two east classrooms will be completed by the beginning of the 2025 – 2026 school year.

Insurance Update: Eberle briefed the board on the status of the upcoming property casualty and cybersecurity renewal. Eberle explained that with the help of Yingling and Nuessen and Bushue, applications have been started and renewal information is forthcoming.

CEP Food Service Update: Eberle discussed the Community Eligibility Program and described providing free breakfast and lunch for all students during the 2024 – 2025 school year. The CEP reimbursement rates are set by building eligibility. Eberle explained that on average the district is being reimbursed $0.83 less per student breakfast and $1.16 less per student lunch than the traditional reimbursement model. Eberle mentioned discussing the future sustainability of the program for the upcoming school year.

Next Board Meeting – April 28, 2025, 5:15 p.m. Acknowledging Receipt of Certificate of Canvass of Election Results. The Organizational meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. or upon the conclusion of the prior meeting.

Hughes explained that the Western Area Purchasing Cooperative membership provides discounted rates from suppliers the district uses. Hughes also mentioned the renewal cost remained the same as the prior year, $270.

Motion by Reische, seconded by Eichelberger, to approve the Western Area Purchasing Cooperative Membership Renewal.

Roll call: Hughes, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea. Motion Carried

Hughes mentioned that the proposed lease would be four equal payments of $18,729 and be paid for using lease levy revenue. IT Director, Kris Gallaher, discussed the four-year laptop refresh providing incoming fifth and ninth grade students with new laptops. Gallaher mentioned that the normal four-year schedule was thrown off by federal grant dollars and the proposed agreement would get the schedule back on track.

Motion by Gregory, seconded by Reische, to approve the Lease-Purchase Agreement with American Capital in the amount of $74,916.00 for Student Laptops. 

Roll call: Hughes, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea. Motion Carried

Motion by Eichelberger, seconded by Koch, to enter closed session at 5:34 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, 2. Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 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; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea. Motion Carried

Motion by Ingram, seconded by Eichelberger, to return to open session at 7:09 p.m. Roll call: Hughes, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea. Motion Carried

Motion by Eichelberger, seconded by Ingram, to approve the minutes of closed session.

Roll call: Hughes, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea. Motion Carried

Motion by Koch, seconded by Reische, to approve the Alternative Disciplinary Agreement for Student 25C.

Roll call: Hughes, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea. Motion Carried

Motion by Eichelberger, seconded by Koch, to approve the Memorandum of Understanding #5 between Brown County Education Association, IEA/NEA and Brown County Community Unit School District No. 1 – Key Club Stipend.

Roll call: Hughes, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea. Motion Carried

Motion by Eichelberger, seconded by Gregory, to approve the Catastrophic Substitute Agreement - Paul McGinty for Jenna Harrelson Maternity Leave – approximately May 5, 2025, through the end of the 2024 – 2025 School Year.

Roll call: Hughes, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea. Motion Carried

Motion by Eichelberger, seconded by Ingram, to approve the Employment of Tori Hodge – Certified Substitute – effective May 5, 2025.

Roll call: Hughes, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea. Motion Carried

Motion by Eichelberger, seconded by Gregory, to approve the Resignation of Levi Arana – Long Term Substitute Chorus Teacher – effective end of 2024 – 2025 School Year.

Roll call: Hughes, yea; Koch, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Ingram, yea; Reische, yea; Gregory, yea. Motion Carried

Motion by Eichelberger, seconded by Gregory, to adjourn at 7:11 p.m. Motion Carried by Acclamation

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