January is School Board Recognition Month and the USD 273 Board of Education members were briefly recognized at a recent home basketball game. With the bond, searching for a new superintendent, and regular business that needs taken care of, the board members have been extremely busy. We thought people would enjoy learning more about these board members who volunteer so much of their time to USD 273. We’ll start with the board’s newest member.

Craig Cousland was appointed to the Board of Education in August 2024.  He filled an open position due to a previous board member removing himself from the board. Cousland served as an appointed member of the board until the November 2025 elections, where he was elected to fill Position #5.

Cousland chose to apply to the board because he holds strong, positive feelings that every child is entitled to a quality education. He earned two degrees from Fort Hays State University and took his first professional job here in Beloit.  He taught special education classes at the grade school for eight years. Cousland then moved to BJSHS and taught special education classes for 33 years. He retired in 2001, but worked as a substitute for the next seven years. Cousland believes his experience as a teacher at both BES and BJSHS is beneficial in making board decisions.