Macon Reporter

Blue Ridge Community Unified School District 18 Board of Education met Oct. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

I. Call to Order

Board President, Dale Schneman called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.

II. Roll Call

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

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

III. Communications

A. Presentation - Acceleration/Gifted Program

Dr. Hillary Stanifer presented on the benefits of the 4 possible types of acceleration the program has to offer to our students. Those are early entry into Kindergarten, early entry into 1st grade, single subject advancement and full grade advancement. There are steps to take during the process. A recommendation must come from the parent, teacher or administrator; next a plan of attack is discussed; finally the plan is put into action. Lillian Enger, along with her parents Mike and Diane Enger, told their story about Lillian’s participation in the program. She is currently one of the students at the Junior High taking 8th grade math as a 7th grader.

B. Presentation - IASB Board Governance Recognition

C. Presentation - IASB Board Member Professional Development Recognition

IV. Public Comments/Recognition of Guests

Diane Enger Lillian Enger Mike Enger Hillary Stanifer Don Anton Lindsay Mattingly Erin Kennell Ethan Hanson Olivia Hanson Jessie Watterson John Yeagle Pam Houser Jennifer Shane Angela Mitchell Tonya Evans Kim Bode J Wayne James Chris Wells Kevin Hawkins Courtney Shane Danee Deffenbaugh Richele Miller Sara Wieber Gena Lagle Nancy Hoffman Brian Sparks Matt Friel Lori Friel Sarah Ringel Brette Dow Paige Trimble Shari Eubank Leisha Beckman Ken Seneca Kasey Sedberry Brittany Sage Melissa Schwarzlose Julie Sproat Andrea Bowns Tammy Klausner Amy Johnson Rob Duke Grace Duke Sara Wrestler Liz Morrow Emily Weiler Meghan James Jason Nolan LaDawna Patrick Kristin Wilkinson Michelle Wills Chad Wills Jill Moak Georgia Manuel Meah Carter Madelynne Rosenbery Jenna Mozingo Jamie Wanserski Pam Davis Stephanie Hale Tara Twist Kelly Soliday Kara Butler Aiden Soliday Amber Barker Shawna Kollross Megan Hardesty Chad Acree Ann Umland Rachel Umland Kristi Coy Josephine Aldrich Skee Aldrich Kaehla Shaw Marcus Minteer Srah Yeagle Deb Yeagle Kari Peacock Barry Soliday Jenny Acree Maria Aldrich Tina Harrison Joy Vaughn Peacock Abby Johnson Jennifer Kelley Scott Kelley Leslie Whitehouse Cara Wells Stephanie Price Vicky Baumgart Janice Harden Kevin Rumple Dana McCoy Pam Jones Melissa Ward Michelle Rumple Tracy Parson Jaclyn Meisner Debbie McCoy Megan Dickman Kirby Hale

Dale Schneman, Board President, spoke to the crowd on the clarification on the fund transfer for those not present at the 6:50 Interfund Transfer meeting.

Dale Schneman, Board President, spoke to the crowd on the ongoing process of the negotiations and the impact it is having on the community and that an outcome will happen.

Don Anton, President of The Blue Ridge Federation of Teachers, spoke on the behalf of the staff dedication and the outlook currently and in the future for the staff and the students.

Brittany Sage, 2007 graduate of BRHS and current Social Studies teacher at Champaign Central High School, spoke on her experiences as a student at Blue Ridge, who made her who she is today and her strong feelings to work toward a fair contract.

Danee Deffenbaugh, 2006 graduate of BRHS, spoke about her loyal and strong support of Blue Ridge but that she has looked elsewhere for her child to attend school.

Shari Eubank, retired teacher of Blue Ridge, spoke of comments that were received on social media of those in support of the Blue Ridge Federation of Teachers. She presented an online petition that was signed by over 400 individuals from around the area and in other parts of the state and country.

Joy Vaugh Peacock, parent of a BRHS student and community member, spoke on her son’s positive experiences when coming to Blue Ridge, from a private college prep school, as a 7th grader.

V. Committee Reports

The negotiations committee met on September 24 and October 9.

The finance committee will meet on November 20.

VI. Administrative Reports

A. Superintendent

Mrs. Wilson presented her report and provided additional information. The O & M supervisor and engineer met on October 16 to discuss HVAC equipment at the High School that will need to be replaced in the future and to get a plan to move forward. The project is estimated at about $120,000 and can be paid from existing HLS funds. No bonds should need to be issued. The plan is to go out for bids in the spring and do the work in Summer 2020.

1. Strategic Planning Goals Progress

2. Quarterly Financial Report

B. Principals

1. Ryan Peyton, Principal, Schneider Elementary

Mr. Peyton presented his report and highlighted an area. The arrival and dismissal committee has met to discuss the pros and cons of the newly installed circle drive and the outlook of it in the future.

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

Mrs. Nichols presented her report and highlighted a few areas. SRO King is doing great in his newly appointed role. He’s building relationships with students and staff and seems to be a great fit. She also stated that the work on the JH gym floor is almost complete and should be ready to go by the first week in November.

3. John Lawrence, Principal, Blue Ridge High School

Mr. Lawrence presented his report and highlighted a few areas. Homecoming week was a hit with added extra activities every day for students. The dance was also well attended with 175 students present. 1st quarter ends on October 18 and report cards will not be sent home, unless otherwise requested. This new approach comes from the fact that grades can be viewed daily online on the student system. Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on October 24 and October 29. Mary West and Joyce Wells, both reitred HS secretaries, were inducted into the Wall of Fame.

C. Curriculum

D. Technology

E. Operations and Maintenance F. Transportation

G. Food Service

VII. Old Business

VIII. New Business

A. Approve Interfund Transfer from Education Fund to Capital Projects

Motion by Maureen Gilbert 2nd by Franci Miller to approve the interfund transfer from the Education Fund to the Capital Projects Fund, in the amount of $110,000.00 for Blue Ridge CUSD 18, as presented.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

B. Approve IASB Conference Delegate for the Joint Annual Conference

Motion by Franci Miller 2nd by Kenna Dunlap Johnson to approve the resolution to appoint Dale Schneman as the delegate for Triple I. Dale Schneman will be the representative. 

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

IX. Approval of Consent Items

Motion by Dion Lathrom 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 Regular, Special and Closed Board of Education Meetings

B. Financial Reports

C. Bills and Payroll

D. Ratification of Suspensions

E. District Risk Management Plan

F. 2019-20 Emergency Operation Plan

G. Resignation of District Employees

H. Blue Ridge Educational Foundation Officers

I. Approval for Band Trip to Indianapolis

X. Closed Session

Motion by Dion Lathrom 2nd by Franci Miller to move from open session to closed session at 8:13 p.m.

Roll call vote. 7 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. 5ILCS 120/2(c) (1).

1. Employment, BRIJHS Head Volleyball Coach

2. Employment, Blue Ridge Transportation, Bus Driver

B. Collective Negotiating Matters Between the District and Its Employees

C. Ongoing, pending, or probably litigation

XI. Open Session

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Dion Lathrom to move from closed session to open session at 9:34 p.m.

Voice vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

Motion by ______ 2nd by ________, to approve the employment of a volleyball coach. The Item failed due to lack of a motion being made.

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Kenna Dunlap Johnson to approve the employment of

 Timothy Brown, Bus Driver, Transportation for the 2019-2020 school term, as presented.

Voice vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

XII. Good of the Cause

A. Consider Board's position on IASB resolutions

XIII. Adjournment

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Dion Lathrom to adjourn the meeting at 9:38 p.m.

Voice vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?mk=50346680&fn=minutes.pdf