Macon Reporter

Blue Ridge Board of Education met May 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

I. Call to Order

Board President, Justin Otto called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 

II. Roll Call

Board Members in attendance were Matt Althaus, Curt Homann, Maureen Gilbert, Dion Lathrom, Franci Miller, Dale Schneman, and Justin Otto.

Also in attendance were Superintendent Susan Wilson; Principal John Lawrence, and Recording Secretary Krista Voyles. 

III. Public Comments/Recognition of Guests

Kenna Dunlap Johnson

Mrs. Wilson stated there would be a closed session added on at the end of the meeting.

 IV. Recognition of Outgoing Board Members

Superintendent Wilson and President Otto thanked Maureen Gilbert for her service on the Board of Education.

V. New Business

A. April 4, 2017 Election Results

Justin Otto 598 

Franci Miller 524 

Kenna Dunlap Johnson 506 

Dion Lathrom 445 

B. Oath of Office and Seating of New Board Members

All newly elected Board members repeated the Official Oath for Board Members.

I, (state your name), do solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of member of the Board of Education of Blue Ridge Community Unit School District #18, in accordance with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and the laws of the State of Illinois, to the best of my ability.

I further swear that:

I shall respect taxpayer interests by serving as a faithful protector of the school district’s assets;

Blue Ridge Board of Education Special Meeting Minutes May 1, 2017 1

I shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow board members and others who seek a hearing before the board, while respecting the privacy of students and employees;

I shall recognize that a board member has no legal authority as an individual and that decisions can be made only by a majority vote at a public board meeting; and

I shall abide by majority decisions of the board, while retaining the right to seek changes in such decisions through ethical and constructive channels. 

VI. Adjournment Sine Die

President Otto stated: Inasmuch as there is no further business to come before this Board, a motion for adjournment sine die is needed.

Motion by Franic Miller, 2nd by Dale Schneman to adjourn the meeting sine die at 6:04 p.m.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays. Motion carried. 

VII. Appointment of President Pro Tem

Nominations were opened for Pro-Term.

The Board hereby approves Justin Otto as the President Pro-Term.

Voice vote. 7 ayes 0 nays. Motion carried. 

VIII. Call to Order

Pro-Tem Board President, Justin Otto called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. 

IX. Roll Call

Board Members in attendance were Matt Althaus, Kenna Dunlap Johnson, Curt Homann, Maureen Gilbert, Dion Lathrom, Franci Miller, Dale Schneman, and Justin Otto.

Also in attendance were Superintendent Susan Wilson; Principal John Lawrence, and Recording Secretary Krista Voyles. 

X. Election of Officers

A. Nomination for Board of Education President

Nominations were open for the office of president.

Justin Otto was nominated by Matt Althaus. Dale Schneman was nominated by Dion Lathrom, but respectfully declined.

Hearing no further nominations, the nominations for the office of president were closed.

Justin Otto being the only candidate nominated for the office of president, the Board hereby declared him elected by acclamation. 

B. Nomination for Board of Education Vice President

President Otto announced that Nominations were open for the office of vice president.

Dale Schneman was nominated by Franci Miller.

Hearing no further nominations, the nominations for the office of vice president were closed.

President Otto stated that Dale Schneman being the only candidate nominated for the office of vice president, the Board hereby declared him elected by acclamation. 

C. Nomination for Board of Education Secretary

President Otto announced that Nominations were open for the office of secretary.

Franci Miller was nominated by Dale Schneman.

Hearing no further nominations, the nominations for the office of secretary were closed.

President Otto stated that Franci Miller being the only candidate nominated for the office of secretary, the Board hereby declared her elected by acclamation. 

D. Nominate a Board Member as Represent on the IASB Governing

Board Motion by Franci Miller, 2nd by Matt Althaus to approve Dion Lathrom as the Blue Ridge School Board Member to serve on the IASB governing board, as presented.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays. Motion carried. 

XI. New Business

A. Appointment of Board Members to Board Committees

Motion by Franci Miller, 2nd by Dale Schneman to appoint the following Board members to the Blue Ridge Community Unit School District #18 Board Committees for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school term and the 2017-2018 school term as listed. Members of the construction committee have authorization to approve change orders for the construction project and Health Life Safety work up to $10,000, as presented.

Kenna Dunlap Johnson and Franci Miller to the Policy Committee,

Justin Otto and Franci Miller to the Finance Committee,

Dales Schneman and Justin Otto to the Negotiations Committee,

Dale Schneman and Curt Homann to the Insurance Committee,

Matt Althaus and Dion Lathrom to the Facilities & Grounds Committee and Construction Committee with authority to approve change orders for construction projects up to $10,000.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried. 

B. Approve the Board of Education Meeting Dates & Time for 2017-

2018 School Term Motion by Dion Lathrom and Matt Althaus to hold regular meetings of the Blue Ridge Community Unit School District #18 Board of Education on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

The regular meetings will be held in the Blue Ridge High School Library in Farmer City, Illinois, as presented.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays. Motion carried.

C. Discuss Criteria for Hiring District Personnel

The Board reviewed criteria for hiring district personnel and affirmed the criteria that were put in place after the Board’s most recent Self-Evaluation. 

D. Approve Schneider Construction Bid

Motion by Matt Althaus, 2nd by Dale Schneman to accept and approve the bid of $514,750.00 from Barber & DeAtley from Urbana, IL for construction at Schneider Elementary School for the period of June 20, 2017 through August 15, 2017, as presented.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays. Motion carried. 

E. Approve Asbestos Put Back Flooring from Builta's Floor Covering,

Inc. Motion by Franci Miller, 2nd by Matt Althaus to accept and approve the estimate of $22,000 from Builta’s Floor Covering Inc. for flooring for the asbestos put back at Schneider Elementary School, as presented.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays. Motion carried. 

XII. Good of the Cause

The Board discussed the recent issues related to the mural in the high school and made suggestions. The administration will gather more information and follow-up as appropriate. 

XIIl. Closed Session

Motion by Franci Miller, 2nd by Matt Althaus to move from open session to closed session for the purpose of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of specific employees of the District at 6:48 p.m.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays. Motion carried. 

XIV Open Session

Motion by Dion Lathrom, 2nd by Matt Althaus to move from closed session to open session at 7:08 p.m.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays. Motion carried. 

XV. Adjournment

Motion by Dale Schneman, 2nd by Dion Lathrom to adjourn the meeting at 7:09 p.m.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays. Motion carried.

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?mk=50234077&fn=minutes.pdf