Macon Reporter

Blue Ridge Community Unit School District 18 Board of Education met September 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

I. Call to Order

Board President (or designee) called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

II. Roll Call Board Members in attendance Matt Althaus, Kenna Dunlap Johnson, Curt Homann, Dion Lathrom, Franci Miller and Dale Schneman.

Also in attendance were Superintendent, Susan Wilson Principal John Lawrence, Principal Katie Nichols and Recording Secretary Julie Graning.

III. Public Comments/Recognition of Guests

Dr. Hillary Stanifer and Pam Givens IV. Presentations

A. Alternative Education and Summer Bridge Program

Pam Givens presented a report to the Board on the results of the Alternative Education Program from the 2016-17 school year. Seven students were enrolled in the alternative education program last year; 3 graduated and 3 made progress toward graduation with their class. Ten students enrolled in credit recovery; 7 earned credits and 1 continued to work on the course. Currently 15 students are enrolled in online courses through either the alternative education or credit recovery program.

Mr. Lawrence reported on the Summer Bridge Program. The Summer Bridge program is designed to help students who may have experience difficulty in 8th grade develop skills to be successful in high school. Nine of the 10 students enrolled in the Summer Bridge Program successfully completed the 3 week course.

V. Board Committees

VI. Administrative Reports

A. Superintendent

B. Principals

1. Katie Nichols, Principal, Blue Ridge Intermediate & Junior High School

2. John Lawrence, Principal, Blue Ridge High School

C. Curriculum

D. Technology

E. Operations and Maintenance

F. Transportation

G. Food Service

VII. Approval of Consent Items

Motion by Matt Althaus 2nd by Franci Miller to approve the consent agenda items listed on attachment A as presented.

Roll call vote. 6 ayes 0 nays

A. Minutes from the Regular Board of Education Meetings

B. Financial Reports

C. Bills and Payroll

D. Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits Report

E. Change Order

F. Sixth Day Enrollment Numbers

G. Recognition of Organization - Class of 2021

H. Ratification of Suspensions

I. Ratify MOU with BRFT regarding Supervision Pay Rate

J. ELL Teacher Job Description

K. ELL Tutor Job Description

L. Accept the Resignation of District Employee

1. Drew O'Connell, Alternative Education Teacher, Blue Ridge High School

2. Janet Ryburn, Bus Driver, Blue Ridge CUSD#18

3. Kenneth Beasley, Bus Driver, Blue Ridge CUSD#18

M. FFA overnight field trips to Decatur and Indianapolis

VIII. Old Business

A. Discuss for Approval Budget for 2017-2018

Changes were made to the budget from its initial presentation at the August Board meeting. Superintendent Wilson had reviewed the changes at the budget hearing that was held at 6:50 p.m. on September 20, 2017.

Motion by Franci Miller 2nd by Dion Lathrom to approve the budget for Blue Ridge Community Unit School District #18 for the 2017-2018 fiscal year with changes from the tentative budget presented in August, as presented.

Roll call vote. 6 ayes 0 nay

B. Discuss for approval repayment of working cash loan to transportation in the amount of $125,000.00

Motion by Dion Lathrom 2nd by Franci Miller to approve payment of $125,000 from the Transportation Fund to Working Cash Fund to repay the FY17 loan from Working Cash to Transportation, for Blue Ridge Community Unit School District #18, as presented.

Roll call vote. 6 ayes 0 nays

IX. New Business

A. Press Policy Updates-1st Reading

X. Closed Session

Motion by Matt Althaus 2nd by Franci Miller to move from open session to closed session for discussion of student discipline; appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of specific employees of the District at 7:38 p.m.

Roll call vote. 6 ayes 0 nays

A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, security, or dismissal of specific employees of the district, or legal counsel of the public body. 5ILCS 120/2(c) (1).

1. Employment

a. Bus Driver

b. ELL Tutor

c. Assistant Football Coach

d. High School Alternative Education Teacher

XI. Open Session

Motion by Kenna Dunlap Johnson 2nd by Matt Althaus to move from closed session to open session at 7:45 p.m.

Voice vote. 6 ayes 0 nays

Motion by Matt Althaus 2nd by Dion Lathrom, to approve the employment of

Pam Davis as Alternative Education

Teacher Elizabeth Thacker as ELL Tutor

Donald Freeman as a Bus Driver

Robert Barnes, Sr. as Assistant Football Coach

for the 2017-2018 school term, as presented.

Voice vote. 6 ayes 0 nays

XII. Good of Cause Discussion – there was nothing to discuss.

XIII. Adjournment

Motion by Matt Althaus 2nd by Kenna Dunlap Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m.

Voice vote. 6 ayes 0 nays

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?mk=50257368&fn=minutes.pdf