Benton Consolidated High School District 103 Board of Education met Feb. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of the Benton Consolidated High School District #103 met in Regular Session on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 4:30 P.M. in the District Board Room. President, Mark Minor called the meeting to order.
Mark Minor opened in prayer and Robin LaBuwi led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Board members present: Mark Minor, President; Marci Glover, Secretary; Jay Copple, Stacia Sloan, Robin LaBuwi, Mitch Bennett and Shane Cockrum.
Others present: Benjamin Johnson, Superintendent; Sean Docherty, Principal; Kenise Head, Recording Secretary; Amy Kolodziej, BEA Representative; Visitors: Dylan Therman and Brandon Little with OMNI Energy Partners.
4. (CLOSED) EXECUTIVE SESSION
4.1 Appointment/Compensation/Discipline/Performance of Personnel
4.2 Collective Bargaining
Jay Copple made the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss the Appointment, Compensation, Discipline, and Performance of Personnel and Collective Bargaining. Mitch Bennett seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
The Board; Benjamin Johnson, Superintendent; and Kenise Head, Recording Secretary entered into an Executive Session in the executive board room at 4:31 P.M.
Open Session – The Board reconvened in an Open Session at 5:17 P.M. Marci Glover, Secretary called the roll. Answering present: Mark Minor – yes, Jay Copple – yes, Stacia Sloan – yes, Robin LaBuwi – yes, Mitch Bennett – yes, Marci Glover – yes and Shane Cockrum – yes.
Others present: Benjamin Johnson, Superintendent; Sean Docherty, Principal; Kenise Head, Recording Secretary; Amy Kolodziej, BEA Representative; Visitors: Dylan Therman and Brandon Little with OMNI Energy Partners.
E-LEARNING PLAN HEARING-5:18 P.M.
Jay Copple made a motion to recess the regular meeting and enter into the E-Learning Plan Hearing. Shane Cockrum seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, board members voted as follows: Robin LaBuwi – yes, Stacia Sloan – yes, Jay Copple – yes, Shane Cockrum – yes, Mark Minor – yes, Marci Glover – yes, and Mitch Bennett – yes. Motion carried
Mr. Johnson reviewed the E-Learning Plan as presented.
Stacia Sloan motioned to reconvene back to the regular meeting at 5:19 P.M. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
5.1 Approve Minutes:
Regular Board Meeting Minutes, January 15, 2026
Executive Board Meeting Minutes, January 15, 2026
5.2 Approve Financial Report (January 2026)
5.3 Approve Payment of Bills (January 2026)
5.4 Review/Approve District Seniority List
5.5 Approve Surplus Property
5.6 Approve HOSA Trip to Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN on May 14, 2026
5.7 Approve Sunday Activities for the Spring Musical on March 1, 2026 and March 8, 2026 from 2:00-5:00 P.M.
Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mitch Bennett seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, board members voted as follows: Shane Cockrum – yes, Mitch Bennett – yes, Marci Glover – yes, Robin LaBuwi – yes, Jay Copple – yes, Stacia Sloan – yes and Mark Minor – yes. Motion carried.
6. ADMINISTRATIVE REMARKS
Mr. Johnson thanked the Board for their continued time, effort, and dedication in making decisions for the benefit of the school district.
Mr. Docherty and Mr. Miller provided written reports.
7. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS
8. OLD BUSINESS
8.1 Approval of Activity Account Expenditure Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve an activity account expenditure paying Shane Garner for BIT Tourney Manager and Coach Winemiller for meal reimbursement. Shane Cockrum seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
9. NEW BUSINESS
9.1 Employment of Personnel Jay Copple made a motion to employ Coleman Fitch as an English Teacher for the 2026-2027 SY. Mitch Bennett seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
Jay Copple made a motion to employ W. Tim Hall as an Industrial Arts Teacher for the 2026- 2027 SY. Robin LaBuwi seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
9.2 Assignment of Personnel Shane Cockrum made a motion to approve Alicia Ward’s leave request as presented. Mitch Bennett seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve Brad Wilson and Jack Bacon as Volunteer Assistant Boys Track Coaches for the 2026-27 SY. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
Stacia Sloan made a motion to accept Mia Balota’s Resignation as Assistant Girls Wrestling Coach. Shane Cockrum seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
9.3 Review/Approve Posting of Open Positions Jay Copple made a motion to approve the posting of Assistant Girls Wrestling Coach for the 2026-2027 SY. Stacia Sloan seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
9.4 Review/Approve 2025-2026 Amended School Calendar Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve the 2025-2026 Amended School Calendar as presented. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
9.5 Review/Approve 2026-2027 School Calendar Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve the 2026-2027 School Calendar as presented. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
9.6 Review/Approve Resolution to Renew E-Learning Plan Mitch Bennett made a motion to approve the Resolution to Renew E-Learning Plan as presented. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried. A copy of this Resolution has been attached to and made a part of these minutes.
9.7 Review/Approve Intergovernmental Agreement with ROE 21 ALOP and Seniors Plus FY 27 Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with ROE 21 ALOP and Seniors Plus FY27 as presented. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
9.8 Review Prospective Summer Facility Improvements Dylan Therman and Brandon Little from OMNI Energy Partners shared some prospective facility improvements with the Board and engaged in conversation on what those plans could look like in the near future. OMNI Energy partners will be providing the Board with options to consider at a future meeting.
Marci Glover exited the meeting at 5:40 P.M. and Mitch Bennett served as the Acting Board Secretary.
10. BOARD OF EDUCATION REMARKS
Shane Cockrum commented that the district has been fortunate with the current building structure over the years and noted that it may be time to consider some upgrades.
Stacia Sloan asked when the boys’ basketball locker rooms were being updated.
11. ADJOURNMENT Jay Copple made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:02 P.M. Stacia Sloan seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
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