Macon Reporter

Blue Ridge Community Unified School District 18 Board of Education Met Jan. 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of Blue Ridge CUSD #18 was held beginning at 7:00 PM in the Blue Ridge High School Library, 411 North John St., Farmer City, Illinois 61842.

I. Call to Order

Board President, Dale Schneman called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 Hillary Stanifer; Interim Principal Mary Diener, Interim Director of Student Services Lois Dowling, Principal Katie Nichols, Principal Ryan Peyton, and Recording Secretary Kristi Woliung.

III. Public Comments/Recognition of Guests

Dale Schneman welcomed everyone joining the meeting in person or virtually. Nathan Guest    Melissa Schwarzlose    Rob Duke    Tammy Klausner    Amy Johnson    Debra Field    Mac King    Jacalyn Meisner    Paige Trimble

IV. Presentations

A. Exemplary Knights

Students and staff were recognized by their teachers and principals for their exemplary actions and work. Students and staff were rewarded, both virtually and in person, with a certificate by the Board of Education members. Those students receiving the awards were Graysen Bentley (K), Jesse Spencer (1st), Carsen Wilson (2nd), Aubrey Kile (3rd), Brooklyn Hardesty (4th), Jacob Miller (5th), Karlie Summers (6th), Jaelynn Deeters (7th), Isaac Price (8th) and Abby Bolen (Sr). Staff receiving the awards were Melissa Schwarzlose (Schneider), Stephanie Sedberry (BRIJHS), Jacalyn Meisner (BRHS)

V. Communication

A. FOIA Request

FOIA requests were received from WAND-TV, WCIA 3 News and The Hearld Review. All requests were returned with a response by the designated time.

VI. Committee Reports

A. Facilites, Grounds and Construction

The facilites, grounds and construction committee met January 20, prior to the regular board of education meeting. The maintenance list was prioritized for the summer of 2021.

VII. Administrative Reports

A. Superintendent

Dr. Stanifer presented her report and highlighted a few areas. There is a new COVID-19 dashboard on the Blue Ridge website that has helpful tabs and links for parents and students. Board Policy 5:130 was read to help the community understand the dos and don’ts on what can and cannot be shared with the public on internal information. She also mentioned that the Moderna vaccine is being offered to staff and the first round will be administered on January 25.

1. 2nd Quarter Financial Report

B. Principals

1.Mr. Ryan Peyton, Schneider Elementary

Mr. Peyton presented his report and highlighted a few areas. Pre-K screenings for the 2021-2022 school year will be held on March 29 and April 5. On February 2, all Pre-K students will be in full attendance for the 2020-2021 school year. They have currently been on the 2 days a week schedule, either attending

Tuesday/Wednesday or Thursday/Friday. Schneider received a donation from the Sandy Setters Memorial and the library was able to purchase books in her honor.

2.Mrs. Katie Nichols, Blue Ridge Intermediate & Junior High

Mrs. Nichols presented her report and highlighted a few areas. Winter benchmark testing has been completed. Shoutout to Lindsay Mattingly and Anna Brutlag who have been working hard with the ELA coach this month. Volleyball practice and boys basketball open gyms will be starting up this week.

3.Mrs. Mary Diener/Mrs. Lois Dowling, Blue Ridge High School Mrs. Dowling presented her report and highlighted a few areas. The high school is hosting 3 student teachers this semester in Art, Family and Consumer Science and Ag. Mr. Seneca was featured on the Channel 3 news for finishing his 24th garage. The FFA Agronomy Team was in the Top 25 in the State. The Central Illinois CEO program is hosting their annual fundraiser, a drive in Bingo. Sport teams are allowed to start practicing this week and the next IHSA meeting will be held January 27 for further updates and information.

C. Curriculum

D. Technology

E. Operations and Maintenance

F. Transportation

G. Food Services

VIII. Approval of Consent Items

Motion by Franci Miller 2nd by Maureen Gilbert 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 Board of Education Meetings

B. Financial Reports

C. Bills and Payroll

D. Resignation of District Personnel

E. Approve 2020-2021 Seniority Lists for Tenured and Non-Tenured Certified Staff and Non-Certified Support Staff

F.Approve Insurance Incentive for June 2022 Retirees

IX. New Business

A. Approve FY20 AFR

Motion by Franci Miller 2nd by Kenna Dunlap Johnson to approve the FY20 AFR, as presented.

Roll call vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

B. Approve Parkland Dual Credit Fees

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Dion Lathrom to approve Blue Ridge CUSD 18 paying BRHS students’ Parkland College Dual Credit fees, as presented for the calendar year 2021-2022.

Roll call vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

C. Approve RESOLUTION providing for the issue of not to exceed $2,700,000 Taxable General Obligation Refunding School Bonds, Series 2021A, and not to exceed $700,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2021B and for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds.

Motion by Maureen Gilbert 2nd by Chelsie Leffelman to approve the

RESOLUTION providing for the issue of not to exceed $2,700,000 Taxable General Obligation Refunding School Bonds, Series 2021A, and not to exceed $700,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2021B and for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, as presented.

Roll call vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

X. Closed Session

Motion by Kenna Dunlap Johnson 2nd by Franci Miller to move from open session to closed session for semi-annual review of closed minutes; destruction of verbatim recordings; appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of specific employees of the District, at 7:43 p.m.

Roll call vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

A. Semi-annual review of minutes of meeting lawfully closed under Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5ILCS 120/2(c)(21) for June 2020-November 2020 B. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the district. 5ILCS 120./2(c) (1). 

1.Personnel Plan for 2021-2022

2.Employment, Paraprofessional, Schneider Elementary

3.Approval of Separation Agreement for Certified Employee

a.December/January documentation

b.$164.90

4.Request permission for Superintendent to hire for any open positions prior to the February Board of Education meeting.

5.Superintendent Evaluation

XI. Open Session

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Franci Miller to move from closed session to open session at 10:05 p.m.

Voice vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

Motion by Dale Schneman 2nd by Carlos Burton to Open the executive session minutes from the last six months of the Blue Ridge Board of Education because the Board finds a need for confidentiality does not exist.

Voice vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Maureen Gilbert to approve the employment of ∙ Debby Reynolds, Paraprofessional, Schneider Elementary

Roll Call Vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Maureen Gilbert to approve the separtation agreement for certified employee

Roll Call Vote 6 ayes 1 nays Motion carried.

Motion by Dale Schenman 2nd by Carlos Burton to authorize the Superintendent to hire for any open positions prior to the next board meeting

Voice vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

XII. Good of the Cause Discussion

Board Member, Chelsie Leffelman will be attending the Tri-County SEA BOE meeting on February 11, 2021.

Currently, BRHS has 7 candidates who have applied for the principal position. Dr. Stanifer will be applying to attend ISAL, a leadership development program sponsored by IASA.

XIII. Adjournment

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Dion Lathrom to adjourn the meeting at 10:24 p.m. Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.