Macon Reporter

Meridian Community Unit School District 15 Board met Dec. 14

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 Meridian Middle School Gymnasium, Macon Campus. President Chris Jones called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. The following Members were in attendance: Chris Jones, Clint Gorden, Rebecca Kraft, Kara Morey, Matt Roush, Monte Hogan and Adam Herbert. Also in attendance were: Andy Pygott, Superintendent; Eric Hurelbrink, High School Principal; Lori Guebert, Elementary Principal; Mindy McGuire, Middle School Principal; Michelle Miller, Recording Secretary.

Mr. Pygott congratulated Eric Hurelbrink on being named Illinois Journalism Education Association Administrator of the Year. Mr. Hurelbrink was nominated by Mrs. Moore.

High School Students of the Month:

Will Gorden, Mackenzie Reed, Madison Bertolis, Grayson Ventress, Carlie Delbridge, Gabe Craycroft, Lola Shearer Davidson, Faith Brownback, Karrigan True, Naomi Matich, Camryn Brown, Maddy Hendricks.

Administrative Reports:

The elementary library was awarded a grant from the State of Illinois in the amount of $4900. Mrs. Woolington has been busy eliminating old and damaged books to make room for the new ones.

Officer Lamb from the Blue Mound Police department is working with the middle and high school administrative team to visit those remote learners who have not been engaged during the school year.

The Share the Joy Parade held at the high school was a success. Food donations for the Macon Food Basket program were collected along with toys for the Toys for Tots campaign. There has been no further developments with IHSA and winter sports. They will meet again prior to January 1.

Superintendent Report:

Mr. Pygott and Phil Stielow participated in a phone conference with Entre, the district computer consultants, on the district’s e-rate plan and its funding. Collaboration between all parties has been successful in providing the district with continued upgrades for technology. Title IX required training has been completed by all administrators.

IESA has created a Go Fund Me account in an effort to raise funds to continue their operation.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Herbert, the consent agenda was approved which consists of November financial reports, November 16 minutes, November 12 special meeting minutes and December disbursements which are as follows:

Education $220,713.50          Building $35,103.72

Transport $17,763.93             Life Safety $360.00

IMRF $9,789.18                     TOTAL $283,730.33 (includes 1 payroll)

Motion carried on a roll call vote 7-0.

Mr. Pygott reviewed the current budget analysis and the 2nd reading of the Board Policy Revisions. He did note that changes were made to the graduation requirements to match the District’s policy.

Mr. Hurelbrink and Member Kraft spoke in regards to the Education Task Force Committee. The committee’s goal is to discuss ideas and remedies for areas of concern with the blended learning framework. Member Kraft discussed areas of concern such as the engagement of remote learners, the structure of the Wednesday remote day and how failing students will make-up core subject credits. She would also like to see remote learner instruction/packets for those students who are in person but are forced to go remote due to contract tracing. There was also discussion on sending a district wide survey to ask parents how their student would be returning to school for second semester.

Member Morey, seconded by Member Roush, motioned to adopt the 2020 Certificate of Tax Levy. Motion carried on a roll call vote 7-0.

Board Policy Revisions were approved as presented on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft. Motion carried on a roll call vote 7-0.

On a motion by Member Hogan, seconded by Member Gorden, the increase in the hourly rate of pay for substitute secretaries, cooks and bus monitors to $11/hr was approved. Motion carried on a roll call vote 7-0.

On a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Roush, the board adjourned to executive session at 7:11 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 7-0.

The Board returned to open session at 9:10 p.m. on a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Gorden. Motion carried.

The Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Extreme Medical Conditions as presented on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Hogan. Motion carried on a roll call vote 7-0.

It was the consensus of the Board to implement the following Back to School Plan for second semester:

In accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health guidance, the Meridian district will continue remote only instruction for the two week period following the holidays. Remote instruction will resume January 4th and continue thru January 15th. In person learners will return to school on January 19th. Due to the volume of remote learners, Meridian will implement a remote day on Wednesdays during the 3rd quarter. (Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 24, March 10, March 17). A recommendation for 4th quarter will be determined at a later date.

The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held January 19, 2021, 6:30 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1084910/12-14-20_minutes.pdf