Macon Reporter

Meridian Community Unit School District 15 Board of Education met Nov. 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Meridian Community Unit School District No. 15 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Monday, November 18, 2019 in the Board Room. President Chris Jones called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The following Members were present: Chris Jones, Becca Kraft, Clint Gorden, Adam Herbert, and Matt Roush. Member Kara Morey was absent. Member Monte Hogan entered the meeting at 7:06 p.m. Also present were: Andy Pygott, Superintendent; Eric Hurelbrink, High School Principal; Mindy McGuire, Middle School Principal; Lori Guebert, Elementary Principal; and Michelle Miller, Recording Secretary.

Mr. Pygott recognized Bob Hunter on his retirement from the District. Bob started his career with the school in 1976 and has been a faithful employee for 43 years and 10 months!

Elementary November Students of the Month:

Kindergarten- Caleb Smithers, Bryley Booth, Emersyn Wells, Elexia Davis

1st- Mila Woolington, William Pistorius, Qwyn South-Wagahoff, Brayden Moretti 

2nd- Brynlee Henderson, Lexi Metzger, Emma Mitchell

3rd- RaeLynn Selby, Cheyenne Mudd, Bella Nelson

4th- Landon Southerland, Emerson Wurster, Zander Thomas

5th- Aiden Sites, Taylor Kater, Drew Smithers, Charlotte Pritts

High School November Students of the Month:

Dylan Hawbaker, Braden Hammer, Courtney Evans, Reagan Hunt, Seth Barnes, Landen Wood, Jesse Damery, Devin Walker, Ellie Fitzpatrick, Emmy Renfro, Eliza Morey, Carlie Delbridge, Jessica Cuttill, Alyssa Anglin, Hannah Reichert

Administrator Reports: All buildings recognized Veteran’s Day by having speakers, making cards for veterans, and participating in Operation Gratitude.

December 5th will be the Christmas Program for grades 3-5 at the high school.

The following middle school students were selected to participate in the Illinois Music Education Association Band Festival at EIU: Kyleigh Lott, Lauren Flack, Abigail Clark, Gracie Hicks, Camryn Brown, Grayson Ventress and Caden Ford. Middle School students collected 244 pairs of socks in October to benefit local citizens in need and also held a food drive to benefit the Blue Mound food pantry.

The middle school/high school Christmas Choral program will be December 15.

The high school first quarter honor roll breakfast recognized 186 students. The high school has the following drives in progress: Coats for Kids and Let’s Fill Santa’s Sleigh to benefit Toys for Tots. The annual food drive will take place December 9-15 to benefit Macon Holiday Food Basket program.

Superintendent Report: Mr. Pygott followed up on the request of naming the baseball field. The Board is working on a protocol for such requests. He is also working with a broker from Century Energy Solutions for natural gas and electricity rates and will present a proposal next month.

He presented Public Act 101-0591 which must be in place by the 2020-2021 school year. This act is an appeals process for educator evaluations deemed “unsatisfactory.” The administrators have addressed this and will have it in place for next school year. He also informed the Board that SB10 passed which was amended to reinstate the requirement for paraprofessionals to pass a competency test to receive an educator endorsement for licensure and directs ISBE to adopt rules to implement the test.

Member Jones highlighted Legislation SB 1864 which would ban the use of electronic cigarettes and vapes in public places. The bill was approved by the Senate and has been sent to the House for consideration.

On a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Roush, the consent agenda was approved which consists of October financial and treasurer’s report, October 21, 2019 minutes, November disbursements as follows (only includes one payroll):

Education $299,706.77               Building $46,543.74

Debt Service $891,448.15          Transport $20,146.68

IMRF $10,444.74                        Tort $1,337.00

Life Safety $96.02                      Total: $1,269,723.10

Also included are the resignations of Julie McClarey as RTI/Library Aide and Don Hendrian as middle school baseball coach and the retirement of Cindy Ballance effective the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Mr. Pygott presented the monthly budget analysis.

Member Hogan entered the meeting at 7:06 p.m.

The first reading of Board Policies 7:20 and 7:40 were presented.

Member Kraft shared information in regards to work from the Policy Committee. The committee has revised the Board Goals document and the Superintendent Evaluation document. Member Roush presented information in regards to the use of cell phones. He would like the Board to consider reviewing the cell phone usage policy currently in place. The Board will continue this discussion at the December meeting.

Member Jones attended a technology conference. He will share his thoughts and ideas with the Technology Committee.

Mr. Pygott presented, and discussed in detail, worksheets on the proposed tax levy. On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft, the Board adopted the tentative 2019 tax levy. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0. There will be a Truth in Taxation Hearing prior to the regular meeting on December 9, 6:30 p.m.

Member Roush, seconded by Member Gorden, motioned to adopt the tax abatement resolutions for 2019 tax year. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The Transportation committee has been renamed the Building and Transportation Committee. This committee will meet in early December with a roofing company to discuss repairs for the roof at the Macon Campus. The gate for the lobby/gym area at the elementary school is completed. Thank you to the youth basketball program for the $500 donation toward this project.

Mr. Pygott will obtain quotes in the spring on a water softener for both campuses. Hard water has caused issues for kitchen equipment.

There was clarification on who was making decisions on the district’s tillable acres. Member Gorden stated the Ag Boosters is working with the Ag teacher on what will be done for the 2020 season.

Mr. Hurelbrink, Mrs. McGuire, Becca Kraft and Mr. Pygott met with the science teachers to review science curriculum. The committee will meet again in January.

Mr. Pygott reviewed the district report cards.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Gorden, the Board approved the 2020 Board of Education Meeting Schedule as amended. Motion carried with 6 ayes.

Tuesday, January 21            Monday, July 20

Tuesday, February 18          Monday, August 10

Monday, March 16              Monday, Sept 21

Monday, April 20                 Monday, Oct 19

Monday, May 18                  Monday, Nov 16

Monday, June 15                 Monday, Dec 14

All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.

Member Herbert, seconded by Member Gorden, motioned to approve the facilities request from 12U travel softball team. Motion carried on a roll call vote of 5 ayes. Member Roush abstained.

The Board adjourned to executive session at 9:21 p.m., on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft, 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. Motion carried 6-0.

Member Roush, seconded by Member Herbert, motioned to return to open session at 10:00 p.m. Motion carried.

Erin Janvrin was employed as an RTI aide/Library Clerk for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Gorden. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Rhonda McClain was employed as part time cook for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Paige Enlow was employed as a full time custodian on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Hogan. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft, the Board rehired the following coaches for the 2020-2021 season contingent upon participant numbers: Greg Streeval, MDL Softball; Micah Sheppard, HS Football; Mat Rund, HS Boys’ Soccer; Jenny Hendricks, HS Volleyball; Phil Stielow, Golf. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The meeting adjourned at 10:01 p.m. with a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be December 9, 2019, 6:30 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/537135/11-18-19_minutes.pdf