Madison Consolidated Schools board honors students, approves demolition contract and multiple service agreements

Madison Consolidated Schools’ Board of Trustees on March 11 recognized more than 80 student achievers across athletics, music and academics and unanimously approved a slate of routine business, including a contract to demolish El Muny Elementary and several service agreements.

The meeting opened with a memorial for former MCS employees and the Pledge of Allegiance before coaches and principals called forward students for a series of recognitions. "I'm incredibly proud of the dedication these swimmers showed this season," said swim coach Kirsten Johnson after naming state qualifiers. Riker's Ridge Principal Jackie Thirstston described attendance and student-leadership efforts at her school, saying the building is using a weekly internal attendance team and ParentSquare to improve communication with families: "We meet weekly and look at the whole child to match supports to barriers that keep students from attending." The board's student representative, Savannah Hall, and board members also congratulated those honored.

On action items the board approved the consent agenda and then voted on separate recommendations presented by Dr. Brown. Key approvals included:

- A contract with Dan Christian for demolition of El Muny Elementary School, listed in the motion as $438,810; the board approved the contract by roll-call votes recorded as affirmative. The demolition was discussed in the context of advancing early-learning plans for the site; board member Dustin said, "El Muny's coming down," and expressed support for the planned early-learning center. The transcript records that the item was approved by the board.

- Purchase of a 78-passenger school bus with air brakes from Midwest Transit Equipment for $185,222; approved by roll call.

- An engagement letter with Baker Tilly (terms and amount not specified in the transcript); approved by roll call.

- A TBRI Phase 4 consulting agreement with Hope Light LLC for $600 to support trauma-informed practices; approved.

- A contract with Crown Speech Therapy to provide occupational-therapy services, including compensatory summer services for 2026; approved.

- Approval to advertise for cafeteria bids for the July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 contract period, with bread and dairy expected to be procured through the Wilson Center; approved.

- Approval of the Camp Invention summer program (June 15–19, 2026, at Anderson Elementary) with proposed staffing and enrollment targets (staffing hours and student slots described in the superintendent’s recommendation); approved.

Board members recorded their votes in short roll-call style (the transcript records responses as "John — I," "Jody — I," "Dustin — I," and the presiding member likewise voting in the affirmative), and each of the items on the agenda that required a vote was approved.

Several donors and grants were acknowledged in the consent agenda (for example, a $15,000 contribution to the football program and multiple smaller gifts to support trips and school activities). The board also approved field-trip requests that include out-of-state trips to Kings Island (Mason, Ohio) and Great Wolf Lodge (Mason, Ohio).

Dr. Brown and board members closed with remarks of thanks to staff and volunteers for events such as Cubfest and recent theater productions. Dr. Brown noted the district served more than 400 people in the cafeteria during Cubfest and reminded the public of the awards banquet on March 31 and the board’s upcoming work session on April 2 and regular meeting on April 8, 2026.

What’s next: The board set no further public hearings on the listed items during the meeting; the approved demolition contract and the summer program plans move forward under the superintendent’s administration pending any implementation steps the board or administration may announce in coming weeks.