Macon Reporter

Meridian Community Unit School District 15 Board met Nov. 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Meridian Community Unit School District Board of Education held a regular meeting on Monday, November 19, 2018 in the Board Room. President Vicki Carr called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. The following Members were present: Vicki Carr, Tony Etherton, Adam Herbert, and Monte Hogan. Member Jagger-Taylor was absent. Member Jones entered the meeting at 6:39 p.m. and Member Roush at 7:24 p.m. Also present were: Dan Brue, Superintendent; Eric Hurelbrink, High School Principal; Andy Pygott, Middle School Principal; Lori Guebert, Elementary Principal and Michelle Mathias, Recording Secretary.

Mr. Hurelbrink announced the High School Students of the Month: Jonah Brue, Alison Butler, Hallie Gates, Caleb Eickhoff, Morgan Shaw, Zach Bowman, Madison Turner, Zoey Hayes, Ella Snow, Ellie Fitzpatrick, Danai Hall, Zach Harper, Brogan Barnes, Karrigan True, Matthew Oakley, Jesse Damery, Trent Moma, Micah Rem, Kyle Farmer, Tiffany Miller and Heather Crackel.

Mrs. Guebert then announced the Elementary School Students of the Month: Kindergarten: Elijah Danbury, Natalie VanScyoc, Ethan Perry, Kaia Arndt

1st: Lexi Metzger, Ka’Liyah Brown, Matthew Pritts

2nd: Nevaeh Woods, Amelia Conder, Maggie Smithers

3rd: Addison Czerwonka, Brynlei Minix, Mckynlee Kapchinske

4th: Griffin Sites, Brayden Beiler, Gavin Varvel, Aiden Sites

5th: Austin Merritt, Shelby Renfro, Alissa Weybright, Ashton Hawbaker

Mr. Pygott recognized band students that were selected to participate in the Illinois Music Education Association District 5 Band Festival: Matthew Mathias, Camryn Brown and Caden Ford.

The administrators gave their reports: The District Veteran’s Program was a success. Thank you to all who participated. Mrs. Guebert thanked the Board for providing lunch at Angelo’s for the elementary staff in recognition of the Exemplary status on the State Report Card. Grades K-2nd will hold a Christmas Program December 17th at the high school, 6:30 p.m. The middle school held a successful food drive that supports the Blue Mound food pantry. Mr. Bates also held a successful drive collecting food/toys for the local Humane Society. The middle school Christmas band concert will be December 14, 7:00 p.m in the auditorium. Mr. Hurelbrink congratulated the following students on becoming Illinois State Scholars: Dylan Baker, Hannah Craft, Sydney Moore, Alexis Rosenberger, Sadie Scott and Sam VonBehren. The high school NHS held another successful blood drive, collecting 81 units. The next drive will be held in March. 174 students were served breakfast for the 1st quarter honor roll recognition at the high school. The high school chorus concert will be held December 18 and the annual senior citizens Christmas dinner will be December 13. It was reported that the Restorative Justice Coordinator position has been a valuable asset to both campuses.

Mr. Brue reviewed a timeline for the solar array project. He will provide more information in December or January after Ameren has provided data from their study.

He also announced a new Illinois law in regards to school calendar requirements. The current calendar requires 175 student attendance days and the new calendar will require 176 student days. However, there are also new ways to figure what counts as an instructional day.

Mr. Brue met with community members that are interested in helping the district obtain funding for the Ag program. The committee will continue to meet and work with the board collaborating ideas for a successful program. There was then discussion on the possibility of using existing out buildings for the program or building new.

Member Carr presented information she learned at the School Board Convention.

Mr. Brue reviewed the current budget analysis. On a motion by Member Etherton, seconded by Member Herbert, the consent agenda was approved which consists of October minutes, October financial reports and November disbursements as follows:

Education $333,653.42

Debt $858,404.40

IMRF $10,907.43

Life Safety $9,552.00

Building $58,933.59

Transport $36,502.87

Tort $375.00

TOTAL $1,308,328.71

First reading of the proposed amendments and revisions to the Meridian Board Policy were presented.

Member Roush, seconded by Member Etherton, motioned to adopt the tentative 2018 tax levy. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The state reports cards for the district and each school were reviewed. The elementary school received Exemplary status while the middle school and high school received Commendable. Mr. Brue reviewed the process in how status is obtained. The report cards can be obtained at www.Illinoisreportcard.com.

On a motion by Member Etherton, seconded by Member Roush, the Board adopted the Tax Abatement Resolutions for the 2018 tax year. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The facilities use request from Prairieland Tumbling was approved on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Herbert. Motion carried with 6 ayes.

The 2019 Board Meeting Schedule was approved on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Roush. Motion carried with 6 ayes.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Herbert, the meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:06 p.m. for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to the employment, appointment or dismissal of specific employees, and purchase or sale of property. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6- 0.

The Board returned to open session at 8:44 p.m. on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Roush. Motion carried with 6 ayes.

Member Herbert, seconded by Member Jones motioned to rehire the following coaches for the 2019- 2020 school year contingent on enough participants for field the respective team: Micah Sheppard, football; Phil Stielow, golf; Alora Goodey, HS volleyball; Mat Rund, HS boys’ soccer; Greg Streeval, MDL softball; Don Hendrian, MDL baseball. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. on a motion by Member Hogan, seconded by Member Roush. The next regularly scheduled meeting is December 17, 6:30 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/277099/11-19-18_minutes.pdf