Macon Reporter

Meridian Community Unit School District 15 Board met April 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Meridian Community Unit School District Board of Education held a regular meeting on Monday, April 15, 2019 in the Board Room. President Vicki Carr called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The following Members were present: Vicki Carr, Tony Etherton, Monte Hogan, Marie Jagger-Taylor, Matt Roush, Chris Jones and Adam Herbert. Also present were: Dan Brue, Superintendent; Eric Hurelbrink, High School Principal; Andy Pygott, Middle School Principal; Lori Guebert, Elementary Principal; Michelle Miller, Recording Secretary.

Communications from Visitors: Dustin Clark read a heartfelt message supporting Meridian’s basketball program and emphasizing the importance of communication with coaches and administration. Arricka Newingham expressed her support for the Meridian district and its athletic programs. Angela Dawson addressed the board with coaching concerns and communication with administration.

Elementary Students of the Month were presented by Mrs. Guebert: 

Kindergarten: Clint Rambo, Eli Thomas, Hudson Noland, Lillyann Harris 

1st Grade: Abigail Sadowski, McKenzie Shingleton, Cayden Mudd

2nd Grade: Juliet Childers, Morgan Logan, Hannah Kraft

3rd Grade: Alyssa Meisenhelter, Olivia Pistorius, Matayah Bach

4th Grade: Wylee Grider, Avery Candaday, Tina Mendenhall, Emily Moma

5th Grade: Jason O’Laughlin, Kamryn Stephens, Robert Comp, Alizabeth Moyer

Eric Hurelbrink announced the high school Students of the Month for April: Emma Jackson, Addison Clark, Amy Smith, Virginia Sheumaker, Wyatt Latham, Aaron Sheumaker, Steven Stoots, Abbi Hackert, Cheyene Grandfield, Caleb Edwards, Kimberly Love, Ella Snow, Gavyn Mashburn, Zoey Hayes, Nick Ford, Audrey Wise, Dylan Byrd, Jonah Brue, Drew Hurelbrink, Sadie Scott, Sam VonBehren, Zoie Bowman Allison Butler, Mikayla Dahlkamp, Rily Olinger.

Mr. Brue recognized three Board Members who have finished serving their terms: Vicki Carr who served on the Board for 16 years; Marie Jagger-Taylor and Tony Etherton who have both served for 8 years.

The Administrators gave their reports: The elementary spring concert for grades 3-5 will be held May 7, 6:30 p.m. at the high school. There will be a tree dedication in memory of Susan Knuffman on May 2, 3:30 p.m. at the elementary school. Mrs. Guebert congratulated Bryce Brown, 4th grader, who won first place at the county contig competition.

Upcoming dates for the middle school: Spring Band Concert, May 9, 7:00 p.m in the auditorium;

May 16, 6th & 7th Awards Night, 7:00 p.m.; May 20, 8th grade Awards & Reception Night, 7:00 p.m. Upcoming dates for the high school: Drama presents Mamma Mia May 3, 4 & 5; Academic Awards May 5, 2:00 p.m.; Graduation May 18, 5:00 p.m.

74 students have signed up for Ag classes next school year.

Mrs. Moore was excited to announce that she took 16 journalism students to the IHSA competition and 12 students advanced to state which will be held April 26.

Mr. Brue presented a Site Enrollment Analysis which shows how many students are enrolled in each grade. He also presented data on Community College Remediation Rates. 71% of students from the Class of 2013 had to take a remedial course in Math, English or Science. Only 29% of students from the Class of 2016 were required to take remedial courses, a great improvement.

Mr. Brue then presented the Budget Analysis. The state is behind in paying transportation payments. If payment is not received by month’s end, a transfer from the working cash will be required to pay transportation expenses.

On a motion by Member Jagger-Taylor, seconded by Member Jones, the consent agenda was approved which consists of March minutes, March financial reports and April disbursements which are as follows:

Education $315,503.64

Transport $15,786.06

IMRF $9,807.81

Life Safety $6,250.00

Building $27,137.74

IMRF $9,807.81

Tort $10,447.31

TOTAL $384,932.56

This does not include end of the month payroll. Also included are the resignations of Traci Herbert as elementary library aide at the end of the 2018-2019 school year and Jenna Hilgers as high school assistant volleyball coach. Motion carried on a roll call vote 7-0.

Mr. Brue reviewed the updated board policies.

Paula Ray, transportation director, submitted a written report for the Board on the transportation department. The Board was pleased with information and would like to continue having a monthly report.

The resolution authorizing the transfer from working cash fund to the transportation fund was tabled until the special meeting on April 23. If transportation money from the state is received by the special meeting then there will not be a need for the transfer.

The Board was presented with two bids for bathrooms at the elementary. However, there is still unknown information regarding the sewer connection and cost to resolve. Mr. Brue will retain more information and presented updated costs at the next meeting.

Member Jagger-Taylor, seconded by Member Jones, motioned to approve the revisions and updates to the Meridian CUSD #15 Board Policy Manual: 2:20, 2:40, 2:50, 2:60, 4:30, 4:40, 4:100, 4:110, 4:150, 4:160, 5:330, 6:15, 6:65, 7:185, 7:270, 8:95, 4:190. Motion carried on a roll call vote 7-0.

The Board adjourned to executive session at 7:25 p.m. on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Jagger-Taylor for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to the employment, appointment, or dismissal of specific employees or officers, purchase or sale of property, pending legal matters, student discipline and negotiations. All in favor.

On a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Roush, the Board returned to open session at 8:49 p.m.

Member Herbert, seconded by Member Roush, motioned to re-employ Cara Gatchel as HS math teacher for 2019-2020 school year. Motion carried on a roll call vote 7-0.

Dave McCleary was hired as HS math teacher for 2019-2020 school year on a motion by Member Hogan, seconded by Member Etherton. Motion carried with a roll call vote 7-0.

Adam Snively and Jordan Griglin were hired as elementary teachers for the 2019-2020 school year on a motion by Member Jagger-Taylor, seconded by Member Herbert. Motion carried on a roll call vote 7-0.

Jay Driscoll, high school boys’ basketball coach, was not rehired on a roll call vote 3-4. Nay votes came from Herbert, Roush, Hogan and Jones.

On a motion by Member Jagger-Taylor, seconded by Member Herbert, the Board hired Gary Cecil as an assistant football coach for the 2019-2020 school year. Motion carried 7-0.

Member Hogan motioned to hire Kimberly Wright as a bus driver for the 2019-2020 school year. Member Jagger-Taylor seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Jones. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be May 20, 2019, 6:30 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/359853/4-15-19_minutes.pdf