Macon Reporter

Meridian Community Unit School District No. 15 Board of Education met March 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Meridian Community Unit School District No. 15 Board of Education held a regular meeting in the Board Room. President Chris Jones called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. The following Members were present: Chris Jones, Kara Morey, Monte Hogan and Clint Gorden. Members Herbert and Roush were absent. Member Kraft entered at 6:45 p.m. 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.

Due to the awareness of the Coronavirus, some items on the March agenda will be tabled until the next meeting in order to shorten the duration of this meeting.

Mr. Pygott addressed the Board in regards to the current plan in place due to the required shut down of schools in Illinois. The required shut-down from March 17-March 30 is considered Act of God days. This means that all days missed will not be made up at the end of the school year. The District E-Learning plan was submitted and approved by the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education on Friday, March 13. Students will have daily assignments to work on at home but will not count as a grade. A sack lunch including breakfast items will be available to all students from 11:15-12:30 p.m. on scheduled school days. Pick up points include the entry way at the Elementary and the entry way at the Middle school. In addition, starting Wednesday, March 18, sack lunches will also be delivered to two access points, one in Hyde Park and the other at the Post Office lot in Boody. State Funding will not be effected by this closure. All employees of the district will continue to receive pay as scheduled. The maintenance and custodial staff will work to disinfect the buildings/buses. Administrators will be available in the school offices from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. during the shutdown. The district office will also remain open from 8- 1.

On a motion by Member Morey, seconded Member Kraft, the consent agenda was approved which consists of February 18, 2020 minutes, February financial reports and March disbursements as follows:

Education $335,303.10

Transport $22,379.85

Life Safety $1106.00

Building $44,907.73

IMRF $6,330.54

TOTAL $410,027.22 (only includes 1 pay)

Also included is the resignation of Leslie Greer effective the end of the 2019-2020 school year and Michael Houran as Middle School Girls’ Basketball Coach. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

The Board reviewed the first reading of the Board Policy Revisions.

The district has been awarded the School Maintenance Project Grant which will be used towards the roof replacement. King Lar provided a roof inspection report for the Macon Campus.

Member Hogan, seconded by Member Morey, motioned to approve IHSA membership renewal for the 2020-2021 school year. Motion carried with 5 ayes.

Member Hogan, seconded by Member Morey, motioned to approve IESA membership renewal for the 2020-2021 school year. Motion carried with 5 ayes.

On a motion by Member Hogan, seconded by Member Morey, the facilities request from the JFL was approved. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

The Board adjourned to executive session at 7:12 p.m. 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, on a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Kraft. Motion carried 5-0.

Member Gorden, seconded by Member Morey, motioned to return to open session at 7:47 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.

Maggie Comerford was employed as Middle School Special Education teacher for the 2020- 2021 school year on a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Gorden. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Alexandra Nichols and Mariah Henderson were employed as Elementary teachers for the 2020- 2021 school year on a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Gorden. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Kaleb Renfro was hired as District Athletic Director and High School Health and Driver’s Education teacher for the 2020-2021 school year on a motion by Member Hogan, seconded by Member Gorden. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Lyndi Elliott was hired as the District Social Worker for the 2020-2021 school year on a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Morey. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

On a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Hogan, the following non-tenured teachers were re-employed: Carrie Snow, Britta Zucco, Adam Snively, Jordan Griglin, Colleen Veitengruber, Salli Pritts, Susannah Moyer, Emily Brown, Matt Bates, Susan Hagan, Jerry Brockett, Bess Dotterweich, Kirsten Durflinger, Cara Gatchel, Dave McCleary, Micah Sheppard and Christina Wherley. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Terry Kaufman was employed as High School Boys Assistant Baseball coach for 2019-2020 on a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Gorden. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5- 0.

Member Hogan, seconded by Member Gorden, motioned to employ the following coaches for the 2020-2021 school year: Dustin Clark as Middle School Boys’ Basketball coach, Shannon Houser as High School Boys’ Basketball coach, Sara Minix as High School Cheer Sponsor, Mary Janes Hayes as Middle School Volleyball coach. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

On a motion by Member Hogan, seconded by Member Gorden, the Board approved the Principal Employment Contract between Eric Hurelbrink and the Meridian Board of Education as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

On a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Morey, the Board approved Shiela Rambo as High School Girls’ Softball Assistant Volunteer coach and Garrett Meisenhelter as volunteer boat captain for the Bass Fishing Team for 2019-2020. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Michelle Miller was approved as the District Athletic Director Secretary on a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Morey. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

The Board adjourned at 7:52 p.m. on a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Morey. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be April 20, 2020, 6:30 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/677158/3-16-20_minutes.pdf