North Egypt News

Benton Consolidated High School District 103 Board of Education met Feb. 20.

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 20, 2025 at 5:30 P.M. in the District Board Room. President, Mark Minor called the meeting to order.

Mark Minor opened in prayer and Shane Cockrum led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Board members present: Mark Minor, President; Marci Glover, Secretary; Robin LaBuwi, Stacia Sloan, Jay Copple, Mitch Bennett and Shane Cockrum.

Others present: Benjamin Johnson, Superintendent; Sean Docherty, Principal; Shane Garner, Athletic Director; Ron Giacone, Board Attorney; Kenise Head, Recording Secretary; Jennie Ren, Student Council Representative; Visitors: Amy Kolodziej, Aaron Lewis, Kiley Docherty and Carrie Fuson.

4. (CLOSED) EXECUTIVE SESSION

4.1 Appointment/Compensation/Discipline/Performance of Personnel

4.2 Collective Bargaining ** Request to add by Mr. Minor

4.3 Litigation ** Request to add by Mr. Minor

Jay Copple made the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss the Appointment, Compensation, Discipline, and Performance of Personnel, Collective Bargaining and Litigation. Shane Cockrum 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 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 6:30 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; Shane Garner, Athletic Director; Ron Giacone, Board Attorney; Kenise Head, Recording Secretary; Jennie Ren, Student Council Representative; Visitors: Amy Kolodziej, Aaron Lewis, Kiley Docherty and Carrie Fuson.

5. CONSENT AGENDA

5.1 Approve Minutes: Regular Board Meeting Minutes, January 16, 2025

Executive Board Meeting Minutes, January 16, 2025 Special Board Meeting Minutes, January 28, 2025 Special Executive Board Minutes, January 28, 2025

5.2 Approve Financial Report (January 2025)

5.3 Approve Payment of Bills (January 2025)

5.4 Review/Approve District Seniority List

5.5 Approve SNAP! Mobile, Inc. and SNAP! Raise, Inc. Agreements

Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of removing of 5.5- SNAP! Mobile, Inc and SNAP! Raise, Inc. Agreements. Jay Copple 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:

Project updates

Mr. Garner has received quotes for display boards/scoreboards for the East Gym, Rich Herrin Gym and Tabor Field.

• Spring production of "Inside the Corral" has started. May 15th is the goal for delivery to community mailboxes.

• Boys basketball team will be leaving the Duster Thomas Classic in Pinckneyville. For one year, they plan to participate in the Christmas Tournament in Columbia and then move to the Eldorado Holiday Tournament the following year.

Amended calendar dates

School attorney law firm has notified the district of an increase in hourly rates. Egyptian Trust has assessed the school district an additional payment.

Mr. Docherty and Mr. Miller provided a written report.

Mr. Garner shared a monthly athletic newsletter to staff and board members emails.

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 Director. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

9. NEW BUSINESS

9.1 Employment of Personnel Robin LaBuwi made a motion to accept the letter of resignation from Tim Montgomery as Custodial/Maintenance, effective September 1, 2025. Shane Cockrum seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

Jay Copple made a motion to employ Jeremy Dawson for the Custodial/Maintenance position pending a clean background check and EHR. Stacia Sloan seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

Robin LaBuwi made a motion to accept the letter of resignation from Linda Smith as Head Cheerleading Coach. Mitch Bennett 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 Aaron Sanchez for Musical Set Construction for the 2024-25 SY. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve Maddy Lampley for Musical Publicity Tickets/Scripts for the 2024-25 SY. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

Shane Cockrum made a motion to approve Aaron Robinson, Tyler Owens and Mitch Giacone for Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coaches for the 2024-25 SY. Mitch Bennett seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

9.3 Review/Approve Posting of Open Positions Robin LaBuwi made a motion to approve posting the following positions: Assistant Bookkeeper (Trainee); Girls Assistant Golf Coach for the 2025-26 SY; Boys Assistant Golf Coach for the 2025-26 SY; Head Cheerleading Coach for the 2025-26 SY and Head Cross Country Coach for the 2025-26 SY. Jay Copple seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

9.4 Review/Approve Amended 2024-2025 School Calendar Jay Copple made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 Amended School Calendar as presented. Mitch Bennett seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

9.5 Review/Approve 2025-2026 School Calendar Jay Copple made a motion to approve the 2025-2026 School Calendar as presented. Shane Cockrum seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

10. FOIA REQUESTS

Mr. Johnson informed the board of FOIA Requests in which he had received on January 28, 2025 and fulfilled on January 30, 2025. Such requests came from Owen Cheng with the North Egypt News and asked for a twelve-month period of emails and memos that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".

11. BOARD OF EDUCATION REMARKS

Mitch Bennett made mention of the Rangler Girls Placing 1st at IDTA State. Stacia Sloan mentioned BCHS has three students currently at state for speech. Board members shared their positive feedback for Career Day 2025.

12. ADJOURNMENT Jay Copple made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 P.M. Mitch Bennett seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, all members present voted yes. Motion carried.

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