North Egypt News

Benton Consolidated High School District 103 Board of Education met Dec. 18.

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, December 18, 2023 at 5:30 P.M. in the District Board Room. President, Mark Minor called the meeting to order.

Board members present: Mark Minor, President; Shane Cockrum, Vice-President; Marci Glover, Secretary; Jay Copple, Stacia Sloan, Robin LaBuwi and Jim Giacone.

Others present: Benjamin Johnson, Superintendent; Sean Docherty, Principal; Ron Giacone, Board Attorney; Kenise Head, Board Recording Secretary Trainee; and Cole Buchanan, Student Council Representative.

4. EXECUTIVE SESSION

4.1 Appointment/Compensation/Discipline/Performance of Personnel

4.2 Purchase or Lease of Real Property

4.3 Setting a Price for Sale or Lease of Property

Robin LaBuwi made the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss the Appointment, Compensation, Discipline, and Performance of Personnel the Purchase or Lease of Real Property; and setting a price for sale or lease of property. Jim Giacone seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

The Board; Benjamin Johnson, Superintendent; Ron Giacone, Board Attorney; and Kenise Head, Recording Secretary Trainee entered into an Executive Session in the Executive Board Room at 5:32 P.M.

Open Session - The Board reconvened in an Open Session at 6:43 P.M. Marci Glover, Secretary called the roll. Answering present: Shane Cockrum – yes, Jay Copple – yes, Jim Giacone – yes, Robin LaBuwi – yes, Stacia Sloan – yes, Mark Minor – yes, and Marci Glover – yes.

Others present: Benjamin Johnson, Superintendent; Sean Docherty, Principal; Ron Giacone, Board Attorney; Kenise Head, Board Recording Secretary Trainee; Cole Buchanan, Student Council Representative; and a community member.

5. CONSENT AGENDA

5.1 Approve Minutes: Regular Board Meeting Minutes, November 14, 2023 Executive Board Meeting Minutes, November 14, 2023

5.2 Approve Financial Report (November 2023)

5.3 Approve Payment of Bills (November 2023)

5.4 Review 1st Reading Board Policy Updates from Press Plus Issue 113

Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Jim Giacone seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, members voted as follows: Jim Giacone – yes, Marci Glover – yes, Jay Copple – yes, Stacia Sloan – yes, Robin LaBuwi – yes, Mark Minor – yes, and Shane Cockrum - yes. Motion Carried.

Regular Board Meeting – page 2

December 18, 2023

6. ADMINISTRATIVE REMARKS

Mr. Johnson commented on the following:

• Project Updates

• Consider Strategic Planning with Educational Leadership Solutions

• Joint Committee on Reduction in Force Meeting Update

Mr. Docherty shared information concerning discipline referrals and school report card deficiencies.

7. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS Chris Kays spoke as a city commissioner sharing about improvements and their open-door policy.

8. OLD BUSINESS

9. NEW BUSINESS

9.1 Assignment of Personnel Jim Giacone made a motion to assign Gretchen Bennett to the Musical Chorus stipend position for the 2023-24 school year. Robin LaBuwi seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

Jay Copple made a motion to assign Chris Blady to the Musical Sound/Lights stipend position for the 2023-24 school year. Jim Giacone seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

Robin LaBuwi made a motion to assign Joelle Morris to the Musical Costume/Props stipend position for the 2023-24 school year. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

Jim Giacone made a motion to assign Tyler Chance to the Musical Publicity/Tickets/Scripts stipend position for the 2023-24 school year. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

9.2 Employment of Personnel Jay Copple made a motion to accept the resignation from Kristy Wissinger effective 12/31/2023. Jim Giacone seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, members voted as follows: Jim Giacone – yes, Marci Glover – yes, Jay Copple – yes, Stacia Sloan – yes, Robin LaBuwi – yes, Mark Minor – yes, and Shane Cockrum – Abstain. Motion carried.

9.3 Review/Approve Posting of Open Positions Robin LaBuwi made a motion to authorize the posting of Math Teacher for the 2023-24 school year. Jim Giacone seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

9.4 Review/Approve 2023 Tax Levy Resolution Jay Copple made a motion to approve the Tax Levy Resolution as presented. Shane Cockrum 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.

9.5 Review/Approve Resolution to Levy Certain special Taxes Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve the Resolution to Levy Certain Special Taxes as presented. Jim Giacone 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.

9.6 Review/Approve Resolution for Abatement of Taxes Jim Giacone made a motion to approve the Resolution Abating All of the Tax Levied for the Year 2023 to Pay Debt Service on the Taxable General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2010 (Qualified Zone Academy Bonds). 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 Resolution (i) transferring county school facility sales tax revenue to the bond and interest fund of said School District and (ii) abating the taxes heretofore levied for the year 2023 to pay debt service on the General Obligation Limited Tax School Bonds, Series 2020, of the School District Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve the Resolution (i) transferring county school facility sales tax revenue to the bond and interest fund of said School District and (ii) abating the taxes heretofore levied for the year 2023 to pay debt service on the General Obligation Limited Tax School Bonds, Series 2020, of the School District. Jim Giacone seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

10. BOARD OF EDUCATION REMARKS

• Robin LaBuwi questioned how the semester exam policy impacted student attendance.

• Stacia Sloan questioned if semester exams had to be comprehensive and commented that she would like to see the semester exam policy reviewed for effectiveness.

11. ADJOURNMENT Jay Copple made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:14 P.M. Shane Cockrum seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

 https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1773/BCHS/3910712/2023-12-18_Board_Minutes.pdf