Macon Reporter

Meridian Community Unit School District 15 Board met May 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Meridian Community Unit School District No. 15 Board of Education held a regular meeting at the Meridian Middle School Gymasium. President Chris Jones called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. The following Members were in attendance: Chris Jones, Monte Hogan, Clint Gorden, Adam Herbert, Rebecca Kraft and Matt Roush. Member Morey was absent. Also in attendance were: Andy Pygott, Superintendent; Eric Hurelbrink, High School Principal; Lori Guebert, Elementary Principal; Mindy McGuire, Middle School Principal and Michelle Miller, Recording Secretary.

Mr. Pygott recognized this year’s retirees: Tony Klein, Laura Klink, Cindy Ballance, Sally Boland and Carolyn Wetzel. These persons will be invited to a board meeting for plaque recognition at a later date.

Andrew Ewing from UpChurch Group presented a power point on proposed architectural services for the Meridian Ag facilities.

Administrators gave their reports:

All administrators recognized their teachers for the hard work accomplished during the e- Learning process.

Pre-k and Kindergarten screenings will be done via mail and virtual meetings.

All schools mailed or delivered student award certificates. The elementary and middle school delivered goodie bags to all students. High School staff delivered congratulatory yard signs to the seniors.

High school diplomas were given to graduating students over the course of the weekend. A graduation ceremony is set for July 18. Jesse Damery and Madeline Klinger are Valedictorians. Congratulations to Jesse Damery and Alexandra Martin who were selected to represent Meridian High School as part of the Central Illinois Conference Student Recognition Award. Member Kraft gave kudos to administrators and teachers for their work during e-Learning. Mr. Pygott signed a fuel contract with Evergreen FS.

Summer hours for the school offices and district office will be 8:00-2:00.

The district did receive a payment for regular and special education transportation.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Herbert, the consent agenda was approved which consists of April financial reports, April 20, 2020 board minutes and May disbursements as follows:

Education: $498,642.95             Building: $26,745.83

Debt Serv: $245,773.14             Transport: $13,684.17

IMRF: $11,068.24                      Life Safety: $250.00

TOTAL: $796,164.33                  (only includes one payroll)

Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Discussion Items:

The budget analysis was reviewed.

Due to receiving proceeds from an insurance claim, the FY20 budget will have to be amended to reflect that revenue. Mr. Pygott presented an amended budget for review.

2nd reading of Board Policy Revisions were presented.

Summer maintenance items were reviewed. The Buildings & Transportation Committee will need to meet in June to address matters pertaining to the asphalt lot.

Reminder that the minimum wage increase beginning July 1 will be $10/hour.

The Board discussed the possibility of a delay in the start of school for FY21 and the readiness of the district to deal with that situation if need be.

New Business:

Entre has completed the upgrade for internet access points.

Insulation materials are on site for the roof replacement on the District office wing. Additional security cameras have been installed in the MMS gym and a few areas that were in need at the high school. Security issues at the elementary will be addressed in FY21.

New microscopes are on order for the district as well as repair work for current microscopes. The Board acknowledged Mrs. Rappe for her contribution in getting this accomplished.

Member Roush, seconded by Member Gorden, approved the Meridian CUSD 15 Board Policy Revisions as presented. Motion carried with 6 ayes.

Mr. Pygott reviewed the Consolidated District Plan for 2020-2021. This is a comprehensive assurance plan that the Every Student Succeeds Act requires for yearly allocation of Title funding. On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Herbert, the Board approved the Consolidated District Plan as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The insurance renewal proposal from Gallagher Insurance was presented. On a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Hogan, the Board accepted the proposal from Gallagher Insurance and Risk Management for property/casualty/auto/umbrella/workers compensation/cyber/catastrophic and blanket student accident insurance for the 2020-2021 school year. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft, motioned to approve the student handbook changes for Meridian Elementary, Meridian Middle School and Meridian High School for 2020- 2021 as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0. Member Jones presented the idea of having a district handbook with each school also having a handbook for those policies that only apply to their respective building. Administration will discuss this option.

The Board approved the job description for District Technology Director, Head of Maintenance, and Lead Transportation Mechanic and District Maintenance Technician on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Gorden. Motion carried with 6 ayes.

On a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Hogan, the meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:45 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. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The Board returned to open session at 9:19 p.m. on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Gorden. Motion carried with 6 ayes.

The motion to approve the architectural services from UpChurch Group was tabled. Questions regarding the proposal will be addressed and another bid will be obtained.

Member Herbert, seconded by Member Roush, motioned to employ Shannon Probst as middle school girls’ basketball coach for the 2020-2021 school year dependent on the season taking place. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Member Herbert, seconded by Member Roush, motioned to employ Terry Kaufman and middle school boys’ baseball coach for the 2020-2021 school year dependent on the season taking place. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Member Roush, seconded by Member Herbert, motioned to employ Jordan Griglin as middle school cheer sponsor for the 2020-2021 school year dependent on the activity taking place. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

John Enlow was hired as Head of Maintenance for the school district on a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Herbert, at a salary of $47,500. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Garth Luka was hired as Lead Transportation Mechanic and District Maintenance Technician on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Hogan, at a salary of $47,500.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Herbert, the meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on June 15, 2020, 6:30 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/754242/5-18-20_minutes.pdf