Branch Intermediate School Board gets two new members

Two new members joined the Branch Intermediate School District board in July with backgrounds on school boards.

Ellie Jakubczak was selected to represent Coldwater Community Schools and Brian Eley was chosen to represent Bronson Schools. Eley served on the Bronson Board of Education until 2022.

Jakubczak, wife of the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities director, said, “I served on a school board when I lived in Illinois. I was a school board member for four years voted in by my community constituents.”

Eley is a representative of The Andersons agricultural business. He graduated from Bronson schools in 1985.

“I just see the importance of the BISD and the programs it offers,” Eley said. “I wanted to support and just give back to the community that has helped my children prepare for later education opportunities.”

Jakubczak has been a clinical instructor doing healthcare education for the past 13 years. She praised the Branch Area Career Center programs.

“I just want to make sure opportunities are available to our community for adults and children to learn," she said.

Eley wants to see support for the career center as an alternative to those who do not wish to attend college.

“I know how important the career center is to the area. I know how important trades are," he said.

Eley replaces Bart Marshall of Quincy, who served two, six-year terms on the BISD board.

Jakubczak takes the seat of Mike Beckwith, who retired as BISD superintendent in 2010.

Neither retiring board members sought reelection.

BISD was formed to provide career, early childhood, and special education for the Bronson, Coldwater, and Quincy community schools.

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The five-member board is comprised of representatives from each district. In the agreement, Coldwater has two seats. Quincy and Bronson are guaranteed one. Those elected must receive support from at least two school boards.

Beckwith said, “There is nothing in writing but by tradition the fifth seat switches back and forth between Quincy and Bronson.”

The two new members join John Bolton representing Coldwater, Ken Norton representing Bronson, and Chantal Paxon from Quincy.

---Contact Don Reid: [email protected].