Macon Reporter

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

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

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 Carlos Burton, Franci Miller, Dale Schneman, Kenna Dunlap Johnson, Maureen Gilbert, Dion Lathrom and Chelsie Leffelman.

Also in attendance were Superintendent Susan Wilson, Principal Katie Nichols, Principal Ryan Peyton and Recording Secretary Kristi Woliung. Principal John Lawrence arrived mid meeting from a school field trip.

III. Public Comments/Recognition of Guests

Dale Schneman, Board President, welcomed the guests to the meeting and shared public information about retention rates and the already established step increase on the pay scale for staff.

Don Anton, President of The Blue Ridge Federation of Teachers, also spoke on behalf of those teachers that have left and what subjects they were teaching. He also spoke about the staff dedication and the outlook currently and in the future for the staff and students.

Chief Nelson introduced the newly hired School Resource Officer, Mack King.

Leslie Whitehouse Nancy Hoffman Tammy Seneca Ken Sencea Anthony Smith Mike Smith Michelle Wills Melissa Schwarzlose Cody Wieber Sara Wieber Ashley Benton Stephanie Price Stephanie Hale Erin Kennell Tara Twist Peggy Schlieper LaDawna Patrick Juli Patrick Chris Wells Kristi Coy Maria Aldrich Skee Aldrich Kaehla Shaw Megan Hardesty Emily Weiler Shawna Kollross Jenny Acree Kelly Soliday Andy Stiger Sylvia Allen Matt Friel Lindsay Stiger Caleb Moore Tracy Parson Kaitlin Lonergan Jill Moak Joy Vaughn-Peacock Kari Peacock Rob Duke Grace Duke Andrea Schlieper April Griffen Ethan Hanson Pam Houser Debbie McCoy Dana McCoy Naomi Armstrong Mary Armstrong Pam Karlstrom Doris Ann Lamb Phyllis Jordan Angela Mourbry Ashley Hieronymus Becky Dodson Lindsay Wilkinson Anieta Lahr Cherie Magenheimer Bobb Caroly Paullin Gabriel Jenkins Cara Wells Courtney Shane Suzanne Gardner Brian Sparks Evan Miles Kim Bode Angela Mitchell Melissa Ward Megan Dickman Janice Harden Jeff Harden Pam Davis Jacalyn Meisner Sarah Ringel Paige Trimble Meghan James Amber Barker Steve Barker Corbin Barker Pam Pease Andrea Weedman Katie Jones George Hott Pam Jones Brittany S Stephanie Sedberry Kasey Sedberry Nyssa Kramer Kendra Jones Deb Yeagle Richele Miller James H Rachel Umland Ann Umland Chris Loop Phillip Lowery Erica Duvall Sara Wrestler Jill Hardesty Jennifer Kelley Leisha Beckman Jessi Price Brad Stout Amy Johnson Tammy Klausner Ben Ringel Juli Sproat Michelle Rumple John Yeagle Kevin Rumple Don Freeman Hillary Stanifer Lindsay Mattingly Dabri Buchanan Paul Buchanan Shalonda Fernandez Vickie James Wayne James Jason Nolan Coleen Paullin Annette Warsaw Christy Strutner Marcus Minteer Rachael Shropshire Donna Wolf-Roberts Tina Stephens Star Williams Cathy Keen Sarah Yeagle Abby Johnson Karisa Yeagle Shari Eubank

IV. Presentations

A. BRHS Alternative Education Program

Presenter: Pam Davis

Mrs. Davis, 3rd year teacher for the Alternative Education Program, presented about her class. All Alt Ed classes are done online. Each class is customized for each students’ needs and based on the criteria needed to earn their credit. Weekly reports are sent to parents/guardians to show the students’ progress. Mrs. Davis is not only a teacher for these classes but also a mentor and coach to the students in her classroom.

V. Board Communications

A FOIA request from Smart Procure was received on September 4, requesting all purchasing records from 5-29-09 to current. A response was sent on September 9.

The IASB Division meeting on October 3 will recognize 4 board members Kenna Dunlap Johnson, Dion Lathrom, Franci Miller and Dale Schneman for the School Board Governance Award.

The FFA officers sent a thank you card to the Board of Education, thanking them for their support and allowing them to grow as a group by being able to attend all of their events.

VI. Board Committees

The insurance committee did not formally meet but Mrs. Wilson was able to meet with those on the committee individually. Negotiation committee met with the Federation and mediator on September 5 and will meet with those groups again on September 24.

Board member, Chelsie Leffelman attended the Tri-County Special Education meeting.

VII. Administrative Reports

A. Superintendent

Mrs. Wilson presented her report and highlighted a few areas. The track committee is up and running with plans and ideas and also fundraising. Their goal is to raise $1.1 million for the project. Insurance has given the go ahead with moving forward on the replacement and repair of the Junior High gym floor. We should be receiving that check later next week. The HVAC project at the High School is wrapping up. Dr. Stanifer will be performing her CSBO internship with Mrs. Wilson. The enrollment for out of district students is at 3 students, one student per building.

B. Principals

1. Ryan Peyton, Principal, Schneider Elementary School

Mr. Peyton presented his report and highlighted a few areas. The PBIS team has held a couple events already this school year. The kickoff event included a RESPECT skit performed by the Thespian Group. Another event was the water day, which included bounces houses and water games and that was to reward those students with positive behavior. The Schneider Open House, book fair and health and safety fair is set for September 19.

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

Mrs. Nichols presented her report and highlighted a few areas. The PBIS team revamped the reward approach; quarterly rewards are now turned into weekly rewards. Knights of the Round Table is a monthly event where each teacher has an assigned group of students, ranging from 4th grade – 8th grade and they work as a group to learn and interact together.

3. John Lawrence, Principal, Blue Ridge High School

Mr. Lawrence presented his report and highlighted a few areas. The Sports Marketing class went on a field trip to Busch Stadium. The Chorus class is a small group and working on a lot of indidviual work, more like Solo & Ensemble. They also went on a field trip to see Hamblin. Student of the Month program is well under way. Students are recognized by the staff for doing a good deed, whether big or small and then at the end of the month a winner is chosen.

C. Curriculum

D. Technology

E. Operations and Maintenance

F. Transportation G. Food Service

VIII. Old Business

A. Discuss for Approval Budget for 2019-2020

Motion by Chelsie Leffelman 2nd by Franci Miller to approve the budget for Blue Ridge Community Unit School District #18 for the 2019-2020 fiscal year with changes from the tentative budget presented in August, as presented.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried

B. 2nd reading - PRESS Issue 101

Motion by Kenna Dunlap Johnson 2nd by Maureen Gilbert to approve the policy updates for Blue Ridge Community Unit School District #18 for the 2019-2020 school term, as presented.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

IX. New Business

A. Discuss for Approval Credit Card with Heartland Bank and Trust

Motion by Chelsie Leffelman 2nd by Franci MIller to approve the use of a Heartland Bank and Trust credit card, assigning $5000 purchasing limits to three users which include Susan Wilson, Hillary Stanifer, and David Kramer, for Blue Ridge CUSD 18, as presented.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

B. Discuss for Approval Quotes for Oil, DEF, and Grease

Motion by Maureen Gilbert 2nd by Kenna Dunlap Johnson to approve purchasing oil from Schaeffer Oil at $1098.35/55-gallon drum, CIA for DEF at $1.69/gallon, and Schaeffer Oil for grease at $145.20/case from Schaeffer Oil, for the 2019-2020 school year, for Blue Ridge CUSD 18, as presented.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

C. Discuss for Approval Floor Repair/Replacement at BRIJHS

Motion by Chelsie Leffelman 2nd by Franci Miller to accept and approve the proposal from Top Performance for the floor repair and/or replacement at Blue Ridge Intermediate & Junior High School, as presented.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

D. Consideration of and action upon a Resolution authorizing the abatement of $15,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Capital Projects Fund

Motion by Franci Miller 2nd by Maureen Gilbert to approve the resolution authorizing the abatement of $15,000 from Working Cash Fund to the Capital Projects Fund for Blue Ridge CUSD 18, as presented.

Roll call vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

X. Approval of Consent Items

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

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

A. Minutes from the Regular and Special Board of Education Meetings B. Financial Reports

C. Bills and Payroll

D. Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits Report

E. Sixth Day Enrollment Numbers

F. Recognition of Organization - Class of 2023

G. Ratification of Suspensions

H. Accept the Resignation of District Employee

I. Approval of National FFA Convention J. Approval of FFA Advisory Council

K. Approval of FFA 212 Conference L. Approval of FFA BUILD Conference

M. 3-year Retainer for Bushue Human Resources

XI. Closed Session

Motion by Franci Miller 2nd by Kenna Dunlap Johnson to move from open session to closed session for discussion of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, security, or dismissal of specific employees of the District at 8:08 p.m.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the school district; collective negotiating matter between the district and its employees; ongoing, pending, or probable litigation. 5ILCS 120/2(c) (1).

1. Employment, Bus Aide, Transportation 

2. Employment, Bus Driver, Transportation 

3. Employment, Paraprofessional, BRIJHS

4. Employment, Key Club

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 Dion Lathrom to move from closed session to open session at 9:13 p.m.

Voice vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

Motion by Franci Miller 2nd by Maureen Gilbert to approve the employment of

 Rebecca Dukich, Bus Aide

 Pam Davis, Key Club Sponsor

 Sarah Slaughter, Paraprofessional, BRIJHS

for the 2019-2020 school term, as presented. Voice vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

Motion by Chelsie Leffelman 2nd by Franci Miller to authorize the Superintendent to hire for

 Bus Driver

Prior to the October Board of Education meeting.

Voice vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

XIII. Good of Cause Discussion

XIV. Adjournment

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Dion Lathrom to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.

Voice vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?mk=50344610&fn=minutes.pdf