Macon Reporter

Blue Ridge Community Unified School District 18 Board of Education met June 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of Blue Ridge CUSD #18 was held Wednesday, June 19, 2019, beginning at 7:00 PM in the Blue Ridge High School Library, 411 North John St., Farmer City, IL 61842.

I. Call to Order

Board President, Dale Schneman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

II. Roll Call

Board Members in attendance were Chelsie Leffelman, Carlos Burton, Dale Schneman, Kenna Dunlap Johnson, Maureen Gilbert and Dion Lathrom. Franci Miller was absent.

Also in attendance were Superintendent Susan Wilson, Principal John Lawrence, Principal Katie Nichols and Recording Secretary Kristi Woliung. Principal Ryan Peyton was absent.

III. Public Comments/Recognition of Guests

Don Anton   Coleen Paullin   Tom Leahy   Jason Nolan   Meghan James   Karisa Yeagle   Sarah Yeagle   Tracy Barding   Eric Decker   Hillary Stanifer   Lisa Warner   Sara Wrestler   Rob Duke   John Yeagle   Michelle Wills   Kaitlin Lonergan   Cara Wells   Maria Aldrich   Kasey Sedberry   Phillip Lowery   Jeff Zogg   Ken Seneca   Bob Sutton   Matt Barnes   Matt Schubert

Don Anton spoke on behalf of the Blue Ridge Federation of Teachers and recognized BRIJHS employees Mrs. Nichols, Principal and Mrs. Sedberry, Paraprofessional. Mrs. Sedberry went above and beyond the call of duty to help a student pass 8th grade by helping him on her lunch hour and staying after school. Mrs. Sedberry was asked to hand the student his diploma on promotion night.

IV. Board Communications

A. FOIA requests

A FOIA request for past milk bids was requested by Dean Foods on June 3, 2019. A response was sent on June 5 and June 6.

V. Presentations

A. Mrs. K. Yeagle and her 5th grade student authors

Mrs. Yeagle and some of her 5th grade students Ollie Yeagle, Ava Paullin, Sia Dean, Indra Nolan and Karly Warner presented on a few of their learning experiences throughout the school year. Some of those topics were “don’t judge a book by its cover”, 9/11 interviews and “what makes a fairy tale”.

VI. Old Business

A. To consider and/or take action to employ the Illinois Association of School Boards to conduct a superintendent search

Motion by ___________________ 2nd by ____________________ to employ the IASB to assist the Blue Ridge Board of Education in conducting a search for a superintendent for the 20-21 school year, as presented.

Roll Call Vote. _____ ayes _____ nays

This motion was tabled and the discussion was moved to closed session.

B. Review for Approval Milk Bids

Motion by Dion Lathrom 2nd by Carlos Burton to accept and approve the bid from Prairie Farms, Urbana for milk products, supplied to Blue Ridge CUSD 18 for the 2019-2020 school term, as presented.

Roll call vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

VII. New Business

A. Discuss for approval - Change to Acceleration Placement Policy/Procedure 6:135

Motion by Chelsie Leffelman 2nd by Maureen Gilbert to create a deadline of February 1 for requests to accelerate students in the current school year for Blue Ridge CUSD 18, as presented. Requests for the next school year can be accepted at any time, including after the February 1st deadline.

Voice Vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

B. Discuss for Approval Intergovernmental Agreement with DeLand- Weldon and Normal Calvary Christian Academy High Schools for Football Coop

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Dion Lathrom to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement for participation in a Cooperative Football Team Agreement offered at Blue Ridge High School with DeLand- Weldon and Normal Calvary Christian Academy High Schools for the 2019-2020 school term, as presented.

Voice vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

C. Discuss for Approval Drainage Work at BRIJHS Parking Lot by City of Mansfield

Motion by Maureen Gilbert 2nd by Kenna Dunlap Johnson to authorize the Village of Mansfield to repair the drainage on the southeast corner of the parking lot across from BRIJHS, for Blue Ridge CUSD 18, as presented.

Roll Call Vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

D. Appoint Board Member Representative for Tri-County Special Education Association

Motion by Kenna Dunlap Johnson 2nd by Maureen Gilbert to approve Chelsie Leffelman as the school board’s representative for Blue Ridge CUSD 18 to the Tri-County Special Education Association for the 2019- 20 school year, as presented.

Voice vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

VIII. Approval of Consent Items

Motion by Chelsie Leffelman 2nd by Dale Schneman to approve the consent agenda items listed on attachment A as presented.

Roll call vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

A. Minutes from Regular and Special Board of Education Meetings

B. Financial Reports

C. Bills and Payroll

D. Ratification of Suspensions

E. Adoption of Fiscal Year of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 and Continue All Policies, Contracts, and Programs in Force on June 30, 2020

F. District Depositories for District Funds for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year

G. Transportation Hazard Areas

H. Approve Mose, Yockley, Brown & Kull as the 2019-2020 Auditors

I. Adoption of the IRS Standard Mileage Rate of $0.58 Per Mile Per the District's Collective Bargaining Agreement

J. Approval District Property and Casualty Insurance Renewal

K. Accept the Resignation(s) of District Personnel

1. Stephen Krominga, 4-6 PE Teacher, BRIJHS

2. Ross Harden, 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach, BRIJHS

3. Megan Dickman, 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach, BRIJHS 4. Chuck Arnold, Boys Assistant Basketball Coach, BRHS

5. Brian Sparks, Boys Baseball Coach, BRHS 6. Paulette Clagg, Dec 2020 Retirement Notice 7. Robert Weiss, Bus Driver, Retirement Notice

L. Revisions to Teacher Evaluation Plan Including Student Growth - Effective August 2019

M. Sports and Entertainment Marketing Class Field Trip Proposal

IX. Board Committees

The policy committee met via email and the negotiations committee met last month.

X. Administrative Reports

A. Superintendent

Mrs. Wilson presented her report and highlighted a few areas. The finance committee will meet at 6 p.m. before the regular BOE meeting on July 17. The facility committee will meet at 6 p.m. before the regular BOE meeting on August 14. Chapin Rose awarded a $12,500 grant for Mr. Seneca’s class to purchase a laser graver. This will be used to make awards, plaques, etc. The City of Farmer City provided a spreadsheet of the cost savings, totaling $15000, that the school has received since January. The John St construction will begin as soon as the Water St construction in town is completed.

B. Principals

1. Mr. Ryan Peyton, Ruth M. Schneider Elementary

Mr. Peyton was absent from the meeting.

2. Mrs. Katie Nichols, Blue Ridge Intermediate & Junior High School

Mrs. Nichols presented her report and highlighted a few areas. Open house for grades 4-8 will be held on August 19. Many staff members are participating in professional development this summer. Retirees, Terry Davito, Xanne Fatka and Liz Morrow will be greatly missed.

3. Mr. John Lawrence, Blue Ridge High School

Mr. Lawrence presented his report and highlighted a few areas. He sent out a thank you to those BOE members that helped at graduation. Summer camps for athletic are up and running. FFA went to the State Convention. The Bridge program will start the last week of July and the planning has already started. 5 athletes were named to the All-Conference Team for baseball and softball. Freshman Fling Open House is on August 20.

C. Curriculum Coordinator

Dr. Stanifer presented her report and highlighted a few areas. Leadership teams have met and have their plans in place of next school year. The summer professional development sessions are all lined up and ready to go.

D. Technology

E. Operations and Maintenance

F. Transportation

G. Food Services

XI. Closed Session

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Maureen Gilbert to move from open session to closed session for the purpose of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, security, or dismissal of specific employees of the District, or legal counsel of the public body; collective negotiating matters between the District and its employees; ongoing, pending, or probable litigation at 8:16 p.m.

Roll call vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, security, or dismissal of specific employees of the district, or legal counsel of the public body; collective negotiating matters between the District and its employees; ongoing, pending, or probable litigation. 5ILCS 120/2(c) (1).

1. Employment, Math Teacher, BRHS

2. Employment, Life Skills/Special Education Teacher, BRHS

3. Appointment, 4-6 PE Teacher, BRIJHS

4. Employment, Athletic Director, BRIJHS

5. Employment, Elementary Teacher with ELA Endorsement, BRIJHS

6. Employment, Bus Drivers, Transportation Department

7. Employment - JH Chorus - BRIJHS

8. Employment, Student Council, BRHS

9. Employment, Softball, BRIJHS

10. Employment, Volleyball, BRIJHS

11. Appointment, Softball, BRIJHS

B. Collective negotiating matters between the district and its employees

C. Ongoing, pending, or probable litigation

XII. Open Session

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Chelsie Leffelman to move from closed to open session at 9:44 p.m.

Voice vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Dion Lathrom to approve the employment of

 Marcus Minteer, Math Teacher, BRHS

 Sarah Ringel, Life Skills/Special Education Teacher, BRHS

 Jennifer Acree, 6th Grade Teacher, BRIJHS

 Shawna Kollross, Athletic Director, BRIJHS

 Sara Wrestler, 7-8 Chorus, BRIJHS

 Ross Harden, JH Softball Coach, BRIJHS

 Chris Loop, Student Council, BRHS

 Angie Moody, Bus Driver, Transportation 

for the 2019-2020 school term, as presented. 

Roll call vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

Motion by Maureen Gilbert 2nd by Carlos Burton to approve the appointment of

 Sam Barton, 4-6 PE Teacher, BRIJHS

 Megan Hardesty, Volunteer Assistant Softball, BRIJHS

For the 2019-2020 school term, as presented. 

Roll call vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

XIII. Accept Resignation of District Personnel

Motion by Maureen Gilbert 2nd by Kenna Dunlap Johnson to approve the retirement resignation notice for Sara Wrestler, with her salary based on the formula that was agreed on with the Blue Ridge Federation of Teachers, as presented.

Voice Vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

A. Mrs. Sara Wrestler, 3 year retirement notice

XIV. Good of the Cause Discussion

The Good of the Cause Discussion has been tabled. Items will be discussed at the July 17 Board of Education meeting.

A. BR CONNECT Followup Discussion

B. Development of wellness incentive program

XV. Adjournment

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Dale Schneman to adjourn the meeting at 9:44 p.m.

Roll call vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?mk=50332052&fn=minutes.pdf