Macon Reporter

Meridian Community Unit School District No.15 Board of Education met Feb. 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 Tuesday, February 18, 2020, in the Board Room. President Chris Jones called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. The following Members were present: Chris Jones, Becca Kraft, Kara Morey, Monte Hogan and Adam Herbert. Members Gorden and Roush were absent. Also present were: Andy Pygott, Superintendent; Eric Hurelbrink, High School Principal; Lori Guebert, Elementary Principal; Mindy McGuire, Middle School Principal and Michelle Miller, Recording Secretary.

Todd Collins presented the Board with renderings of the sign he envisions for the baseball field honoring Brian Snitker. The Athletic Committee will bring further information on this topic to the March meeting.

Brian Plummer, Director of Milligan Academy, was present and provided the Board information on the programs offered by Milligan.

February Student of the Month for High School: Tiffany Miller, Ashton Dawson, Zoie Bowman, Graham Meisenhelter, Emily Johnson, Mackenzie Riecks, Jordan Goodman-Street, Audrey Wise, Hailey Wilson, Abbi Hackert, Landon Miller, Roy Ralston, Steven Stoots, Emery Johnson, Tyler Wilson, Kyle Suddarth, Gavyn Mashburn, Grant Meisenhelter, Arwen Baker.

February Student of the Month for the Elementary:

Kind. – Jerzee Grider, Ella Sheets, McKinley Black, Harper McGuire 

1st – Eli Thomas, Elijah Danbury, Ian Flack, Brylee Britton

2nd – Bentley Cooper, Bella Durbin, Hayden Crist

3rd – Amelia Conder, Logan Atwater, Maggie Smithers

4th – Matayah Bach, Addison Czerwonka, Alex Davison

5th – Jesse Nance, Charlotte Brown, Reese Cramm, Elizabeth Call

Administrators gave their reports:

The Elementary Book Fair and Family Night will be held March 17 & 18. Kindergarten screening will be held April 2 and Pre-K screenings March 26 & 27.

The County Spelling Bee was held Tuesday, February 18. Congratulations to Maggie Pritts who finished in the top 4 and will now compete in the Regional Bee in March.

Freshman Orientation for the Class of 2024 will be held on Wednesday, March 25.

Lola Shearer-Davidson, 9th Grade, developed programming and informational materials related to Black History month available to students to view in the library. Mr. Hurelbrink commends Lola for being proactive in making sure the district honors Black History Month.

Superintendent Items:

Maintenance Grant- spending timeline is typically within a calendar year of receiving the grant. Tumbling Meet went well. However, the current Facilities Use Request form needs updated. Bob Dondeville Project- Bob has reached out to Meridian in regards to placing 3 bronze sculptures that he designed, around the flag pole at the elementary. The Board was given a picture showing a sample of the project as well as the cost of the sculptures. The district will apply for grants to try and cover the cost of the project.

On a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Herbert, the consent agenda was approved which consists of January 21, 2020 minutes, January 28, 2020 minutes, January financial reports and February disbursements as follows:

Education $243,939.20 

Building $28,920.73

Transport $17,607.02 

Life Safety $73.85

TOTAL $290,540.80 (does not include payroll)

Also included is the amended retirement of Keith Clark effective March 20, 2020. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

The monthly budget analysis was reviewed.

Committee Updates:

The Building & Transportation Committee-

Garth, bus mechanic, was also present at the meeting and provided a bus maintenance schedule. The committee would like Garth to pursue a search for a truck/plow for use next winter. If the maintenance grant is approved the committee agreed to use Tremco as the general contractor for the roof project. There was discussion on the construction phases for the Ag Facilities. District maintenance staffing options were also discussed.

Agriculture Committee-

The First National Bank of Pana presented a generous $5,000 donation and $15,000 pledge to the Ag Foundation.

Duane Noland and Pete Pistorius will attend the Board meeting in March to give an update on fundraising efforts and goal summary of the Ag Foundation.

Mr. Hurelbrink has submitted an ADM Cares grant on behalf of the Foundation for the construction of the Ag Facility.

Curriculum Committee-

The Curriculum Committee met with administrators and the science teachers to discuss science curriculum and classroom needs. The committee is looking at a collective program thru the district, beginning at the elementary level.

Technology Committee-

A survey will be given to staff in regards to programs, apps and devices used in their classroom. The committee will then review this information at their next meeting.

The Athletic Committee will meet Thursday, February 20.

On a motion by Member Kraft, seconded by Member Morey, the Board approved the 2020- 2021 school calendar. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Member Morey, seconded by Member Herbert, motioned to approve a Resolution Authorizing Deposit of Insurance Proceeds as follows: $57,000 to the Capital Projects Fund (Fund 60). Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Member Herbert, seconded by Member Morey, motioned to approve a Resolution Authorizing Deposit of Insurance Proceeds as follows: $37,800 to the Health Life Safety Fund (Fund 90). Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Member Morey, seconded by Member Kraft, motioned to approve a Resolution Authorizing Deposit of Insurance Proceeds as follows: $5,200 to the Building Operations & Maintenance Fund (Fund 20). Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

The Board approved the district’s Threat Assessment Protocols as presented on a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Kraft. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

The Board adjourned to executive session at 8:30 p.m. on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Hogan, 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 5-0.

Member Morey, seconded by Member Herbert, motioned to return to open session at 10:40 p.m.

On a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Hogan, the Board hired Aidan Perrey as Middle School/High School Art Teacher for the 2020-2021 school year. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

On a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Hogan, the following volunteers were approved:

Randi Sheets and Bob Hackert for MDL Girl Track

Gary Cecil for HS Boy Track

Gracie Brookens for HS Softball

Kyle Woolington for HS Baseball

Chris Delatte for fishing team boat captain 

Motion carried with 5 ayes.

The meeting adjourned at 10:43 p.m. with a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Hogan. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be March 16, 2020, 6:30 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/621962/2-18-20_minutes.pdf