Macon Reporter

Meridian Community Unit School District 15 Board met Jan. 19.

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, Macon Campus. President Chris Jones called the  meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. The following Members were in attendance: Chris Jones, Rebecca  Kraft, Monte Hogan and Adam Herbert. Member Matt Roush entered at 6:36 p.m. Members Morey  and Gorden were absent. 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.  

Communications from the Audience: Alicia Ralston addressed the Board with her concerns of remote  learning and the planned remote Wednesdays. She encourages the Board to return to in-person  learning for all those students who are able. 

1st Semester Board Scholars for the high school (4.0 GPA):  

Freshmen: Hayden Bergschneider, Camryn Brown, Jacob Clapp, Chance Cramm, Madison Hendricks,  Rosalie Hutton, Anabelle Nailer, Emma Pistorius, Maggie Pritts, Tara Reynolds, Connor Ryan, Gwen  Scott, Aidan Sheets, Jolie Witts 

Sophomores: Brett Brown, Faith Brownback, Gregory Gallup, Kiarra Giles, Dylan Hawbaker, Katelyn  Martin, Ally Meisenhelter, Kaylin Moreland, Avril Morrell, Matthew Parker, Zoe Pramuk, Roy Ralston,  Emily Renfro, Lola Shearer Davidson, Hailey Wilson 

Juniors: Lucas Clapp, Connor Daundivier, Katy Hendricks, Drew Hurelbrink, Lexi Jones, Laney Jones,  Keagan Kantor, Graham Meisenhelter, Grant Meisenhelter, Kassidy Morey, Paige Patient, Cole Rappe,  Mackenzie Reed, Mitch Ripple, Madison Sapp, Elizabeth Snow, Lucille Snow, Maria Steiling, Tryston  Weiss, Haylee Wilson 

Seniors: Arwen Baker, Hallie Gates, Lyric Greenwood, Reagan Hunt, Emily Johnson, Chloe Moyer,  Sydney Senger, Hannah Warnick, Audrey Wise 

Administrative Reports: The district spelling bee will be held virtually this year the week of January 25.  The top two spellers from the elementary and middle school will continue to the county bee scheduled  for February 16.  

A credit recovery program, Apex Learning, has been implemented at the high school and for 8th grade  students. This program is for students who have fallen behind in credits. The classes are online and  the student will take the course during their elective course class time. There are currently 23 students  enrolled. 

Mr. O’Brien received a grant in the amount of $926 for video equipment through the Illinois Digital  Educators Alliance. The items he purchased will be used for the 8th grade Advanced Computers class. The high school received a grant from Heartland in the amount of $1400. The grant is used to  purchase items for the Business and Family Consumer Science programs. 

Sport Update: The IESA has released approval of volleyball practice and try outs. Games can also be  scheduled and played. Basketball can hold try outs and practice but being a high risk sport cannot  schedule games at this time. IHSA has released basketball to begin practices but no games at this time.

Superintendent Report: Follow up items- Mr. Pygott reported that all Macon and Piatt county schools  offer a remote learning option.  

Crossings Healthcare is offering vaccines for all school district employees. A schedule has been sent to  all district employees to schedule an appointment if they wish to do so.  

Decatur School District will remain the special education administrative agent for one more year. New Items- District administrators participated in a PERA/Evaluations/SB7 workshop. The district is in  compliance with the guidelines of SB7. 

Met with John Enlow in regards to the quarterly custodial survey and budget review. Also met with  Garth Luka in regards to personnel shortfall at the bus garage. This will be discussed further in the  near future. 

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Herbert, the consent agenda was approved  which consists of December 14, 2020 minutes; December financials and January disbursements as  follows: 

Education $347,481.87       Building $44,080.80 

Transport $11,804.05          IMRF $8,907.85 

Cap Projects $87,179.86    Tort $53.00 

Life Safety $4,932.93          TOTAL $504,440.36 (one payroll) 

Also included is the retirement of Rita Snearly as elementary secretary at the end of the 2020-2021  school year. Motion carried on a roll call 5-0. 

Budget analysis was reviewed. 

Key legislation items were reviewed. Updates will be provided if proposals become law. The next Education Task Force Committee meeting will focus on outreach to remote learners. 

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Herbert, the meeting adjourned to executive  session at 7:33 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 Herbert, seconded by Member Roush, the Board returned to open session at  8:28 p.m. 

No action followed executive session. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held February 16,  2021, 6:30 p.m. 

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1125794/1-19-21_minutes.pdf