Benton Consolidated High School District 103 Board of Education met Jan. 15.
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, January 15, 2026 at 5:30 P.M. in the District Board Room. President, Mark Minor called the meeting to order.
Mitch Bennett opened in prayer and Jay Copple 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 and Mary Ann Supancic, BEA Representatives; Visitors: Daniel Glover, Kellie Griffith, Emily Milligan, Jane Thomas and Beth Owens.
4. (CLOSED) EXECUTIVE SESSION
4.1 Appointment/Compensation/Discipline/Performance of Personnel
4.2 Collective Bargaining
Robin LaBuwi made the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss the Appointment, Compensation, Discipline, and Performance of Personnel and Collective Bargaining. Shane Cockrum 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 5:31 P.M.
Open Session – The Board reconvened in an Open Session at 6:41 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 and Mary Ann Supancic, BEA Representatives; Visitors: Daniel Glover, Kellie Griffith, Emily Milligan, Jane Thomas and Beth Owens.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
5.1 Approve Minutes: Regular Board Meeting Minutes, December 18, 2025
Executive Board Meeting Minutes, December 18, 2025
Tax Levy Hearing (Truth in Taxation) Minutes, December 18, 2025
5.2 Approve Financial Report (December 2025) 5.3 Approve Payment of Bills (December 2025)
Jay Copple made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Shane Cockrum 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 commented on the following:
• Looking ahead at the 2026-2027 school year- curriculum proposals, pre-registration planning and school calendar proposals
Inside the Corral Updates
Mr. Docherty, Mr. Miller and Mrs. Mitchell provided written reports.
Mr. Garner shared a monthly athletic newsletter to staff and board members emails.
7. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS
Kellie Griffith provided a written statement to all board members. She also shared some key points of the 2025 volleyball season, as well as ongoing issues of concern with a parent.
Emily Milligan shared her support for the 2025 volleyball coaching staff, thanked Kellie Griffith for the positive impact on her daughter and commented that she did not support the board’s decision in this matter.
Daniel Glover commented that he appreciates tough coaching, expects consistent punishment amongst all players, and voiced concern over violation of criminal laws.
8. (CLOSED) EXECUTIVE SESSION
8.1 Appointment/Compensation/Discipline/Performance of Personnel
Robin LaBuwi made the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss the Appointment, Compensation, Discipline, and Performance of Personnel. Jay Copple 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 6:58 P.M.
Open Session – The Board reconvened in an Open Session at 7:17 P.M. Marci Glover, Secretary called the roll. Answering present: Mark Minor – yes, Shane Cockrum – yes, Jay Copple – yes, Stacia Sloan- yes, Robin LaBuwi – yes, Mitch Bennett – yes, and Marci Glover – yes.
Others present: Benjamin Johnson, Superintendent; Sean Docherty, Principal; Kenise Head, Recording Secretary; Amy Kolodziej and Mary Ann Supancic, BEA Representatives; Visitors: Jane Thomas and Beth Owens.
9. OLD BUSINESS
9.1 Approval of Activity Account Expenditure Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve an activity account expenditure paying Shane Garner for Girls Christmas Tourney Director. Shane Cockrum seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
10. NEW BUSINESS
10.1 Assignment of Personnel Jay Copple made a motion to approve the long term leave substitute teacher overload proposal as presented. Robin LaBuwi seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
10.2 Employment of Personnel
10.3 Review/Approve Posting of Open Positions Jay Copple made a motion to approve the posting of Head Volleyball Coach for the 2026-2027 SY. Mitch Bennett seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, board members voted as follows: Shane Cockrum – no, Mitch Bennett – yes, Marci Glover – yes, Robin LaBuwi – yes, Jay Copple – yes, Stacia Sloan – no, and Mark Minor – yes. Motion carried.
10.4 Review/Approve Graduation Date and Time Jay Copple made a motion to approve the graduation date and time as May 16, 2026 at 4 PM. Robin LaBuwi seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
10.5 Review/Approve Curriculum/Course Additions Jay Copple made a motion to approve the curriculum/course additions as presented for the 2026-2027 school year. Shane Cockrum seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
10.6 Review/Approve E-Learning Plan
*Due to publication timing requirements, this item was tabled until the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
10.7 Review/Accept Bid to Purchase Ten Passenger Van Shane Cockrum made a motion to accept the Bid to Purchase a Ten Passenger Van from Southern Bus and Mobility as presented. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
10.8 Review/Approve Classification of Executive Board Minutes The executive board minutes from July 2025 – December 2025 have been reviewed and the need for confidentiality continues to exist, therefore, Robin LaBuwi made a motion to continue to classify the executive board minutes as confidential. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
11. BOARD OF EDUCATION REMARKS
Mr. Minor read a thank-you card to the Board from Ron Giacone.
12. ADJOURNMENT Shane Cockrum made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 P.M. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.
https://www.bentonhighschool.org/page/board-documents
