Troubled Freeburg school district to get new board president, superintendent
Freeburg Community Consolidated School District 70 has had a rough few years, and now that the consolidated election is over, a school board with a slightly different make-up will take the reigns.
The district also has hired a new superintendent, Mark Bearley, to replace the embattled former superintendent, Melanie Brink.
School Board President Michelle Foppe was defeated in the April 1 election after eight years in office. Five other incumbents and two new members will hold a reorganization meeting and elect officers on April 28, immediately before the regular board meeting.
“I’m optimistic,” Acting Superintendent Mark Janssen said. “We look forward. We always do. We’re excited about what the future holds. I’m looking forward to meeting with (the two new board members) and getting them up to speed in the days and weeks ahead.”
District 70 consists of Freeburg Elementary School and Freeburg Primary Center. Issues in the past two years have included staff resignations, board infighting, civil lawsuits and other court filings, a police investigation and heated debates among local residents.
Bearley is principal of Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 High School in Brighton and a former social-studies teacher.
Foppe received 393 votes (30%) in a three-way race for two open board seats outside of Freeburg Township, according to unofficial results from the St. Clair County clerk’s office. Incumbent William “Bill” May received 412 votes (31%), and newcomer Erin Shook received 490 votes (37%).
Two candidates vied for two open in-township seats, so both were elected. Incumbent Edward “Ed” Scheibel, the board’s vice president, received 567 votes (48%), and newcomer Benjamin “Ben” Mueth received 601 votes (51%).
The seven-member board also includes three incumbents who weren’t up for reelection due to staggered terms. They are David Stein, Amber Trout and Jamie Smith, the board’s secretary.
“It’s pretty obvious that there have been problems with the Freeburg District 70 board of education over the past four years, and I think the election results show how the District 70 taxpayers feel about it,” Stein said. “But I’m optimistic that we’re through the worst of it.”
Foppe didn’t respond to a BND request for comment on Thursday. Neither Mueth nor Shook could be reached for comment.
The board launched a search for a new superintendent in January, after Brink resigned for the second time. The first time, in 2023, the board declined to accept her resignation and persuaded her to stay.
Brink has accepted the job of superintendent with Belle Valley School District 119 in Belleville for the 2025-26 school year. The Freeburg board hired Bearley on Monday. He will start work July 1.
“He’s been a high-school principal for the past 15 years and a teacher before that,” Janssen said. “He’s got, I think, 25 years of experience in education, so he was ready to take that next step. The board is excited to have him.”
Bearley earned a bachelor’s degree from Greenville College and a master’s degree, educational specialist degree and doctorate from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, according to a press release from Freeburg District 70. He and his wife, Meghan have a daughter, Maddie.
Mueth will replace Jayson Baker, a board member who was at the center of controversy for much of his four-year tenure. He strongly criticized district policies and administrators, including Brink.
In August, the six other board members voted to ask St. Clair County Regional Superintendent of Schools Lori Costello to remove Baker from office without publicly specifying their reasons. She declined, saying his actions didn’t meet state criteria for removal.
Baker, whose wife also works as a nurse in the district, decided not to seek reelection.
“I didn’t run because I’d like to explore other ways to serve my community,” he said. “I’m happy for the new board and our new superintendent.”
In November, five board members, excluding Baker, voted to ask Costello to remove Stein from office. Again, she declined, saying his actions didn’t meet state criteria for removal.
District officials also obtained an emergency workplace protection restraining order against Stein from a St. Clair County Circuit Court judge, prohibiting him from entering the elementary school. Since that time, he’s been attending board meetings remotely.
The district’s petition alleged that Stein had screamed and used profanity at board meetings and, in a phone call with Janssen, threatened to run over officials with his vehicle. Stein has denied the allegations. A decision on whether to extend the restraining order is still under review.
“I do want to thank Mr. Baker and Ms. Foppe for their service,” Janssen said. “Ms. Foppe has been on the board for eight years. She’s done a lot for us. I appreciate everything she’s done, and I appreciate everything Mr. Baker did. Board service isn’t easy. It’s a thankless job.”
This story was originally published April 14, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
