Macon Reporter

Meridian Community Unit School District 15 Board Met March 25.

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 Monte Hogan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The following Members were in attendance: Monte Hogan, Chris Jones, Adam Herbert, Matt Roush, Clint Gorden and Kara Morey. Member Kraft was absent. Also in attendance were: Andy Pygott, Superintendent; Eric Hurelbrink, High School Principal; Mindy McGuire, Middle School Principal; Lori Guebert, Elementary Principal; Michelle Miller, Recording Secretary.

The meeting began with a public hearing for the Meridian e-Learning Plan. There were no questions or comments from the audience or Board. The hearing adjourned at 6:31 p.m.

Mr. Pygott thanked Member Jones for his service as Board President. Monte Hogan replaced Chris Jones as Board President on May 10, 2021, leaving the Vice-President role vacant. President Hogan asked for nominations for Vice-President. Member Morey nominated Clint Gorden. There were no other nominations. Clint Gorden was named Board Vice-President.

Mr. Pygott recognized two district employees that are retiring at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Rita Snearly has served the Meridian Elementary for 22 years as secretary and Brenda Collier 13 years in food service. Congratulations to both employees!

Administrative Reports:

Lexi Marion was the middle school “We Are Meridian” essay winner.

The middle school Principal’s List included 70 students this year.

The following students were inducted into the High School National Honor Society: Dreah Dunn, Abbi Hackert, Katy Hendricks, Grant Meisenhelter, Mitch Ripple, Trinity Hott, Katelyn Martin, Avril Morrell, Matt Parker, Zoe Pramuk, Emily Renfro, Hailey Wilson.

Reagan Hunt was recognized as Meridian’s honoree for the Illinois Principal’s Association Abe Lincoln Region student recognition award.

There was $48,000 in scholarship money awarded to seniors this year.

Congratulations to Anna Enlow for signing her letter of intent to play softball at Millikin. Drew Hurelbrink placed first clearing 6’4” at the Macon-Piatt track meet making it his personal best!

Superintendent follow up: presented a public bid proposal for greenhouse construction. Mr. Pygott will present to the Ag committee on Tuesday.

Registration going well for Camp Intervention. Will keep the Board posted on enrollment numbers.

New: Paula is working on bus stop concerns for next school year. The Buildings & Transportation will also add this to their next agenda.

There will be no changes for the remainder of the school year in regards to procedures in place for COVID.

Summer hours

School Offices: Monday-Thursday, 8:00-2:00; Friday 8:00-Noon. 

Offices are closed the month of July.

District Office: Monday-Thursday, 7:30-3:30, all summer.

A recommendation will be made at the June meeting for a part-time speech and language pathologist to assist at the elementary building. This position would be funded with ESSER funds.

On a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Morey, the consent agenda was approved which consist of April minutes,

April financials and May disbursements as follows: 

Education $386,832.20          Building $41,744.20 

Debt Service $234,525.64     Transport $25,064.12 

IMRF $6539.26                      Life Safety $76.69 

TOTAL: $694,782.11 (Includes one payroll) 

Also included was the resignation of Rhilee Cochran as Elementary teacher, Megan Curtain as Elementary RTI/Title I aide and Megan Pistorius as part-time Pre-K Parent Coordinator. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The budget analysis was presented.

The Board reviewed an updated Savings Report schedule provided by First Midstate for the bond rebate options available. It was the consensus of the Board to move forward. A meeting will be scheduled with David Pistorius at First Midstate to discuss further.

A policy was proposed in regards to student tuition for district employees who do not reside in the district. It was the consensus of the Board to apply for a waiver to begin this process.

Mr. Pygott will submit information to the technology committee in regards to a summer position to help with technology needs.

On a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Morey, the Board approved the e Learning Plan. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The Consolidated District Plan was approved as presented on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Morey. This plan includes all title grant funding. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Member Morey, seconded by Member Herbert, motioned to accept the insurance bid from Gallagher Insurance for property/casualty/auto/umbrella/workers compensation/catastrophic & blanket student insurance for 21-22 school year as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

On a motion by Member Jones, seconded by Member Herbert, the Board approved the purchase of a new/used 2020 Kubota F3990 from Argenta-Oreana school district. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0. Member Hogan abstained. Argenta purchased the Kubota new but it was not suitable for their needs. The mower is only one year old.

The meeting adjourned to executive session at 7:50 p.m. on a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Roush, 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 6-0.

The Board returned to open session at 9:21 p.m. on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Herbert. Motion carried 6-0.

Member Roush, seconded by Member Morey, motioned to approve Sarah Hott as elementary teacher for the 2021-2022 school year. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Member Roush, seconded by Member Gorden, motioned to approve Kelsey Pygott and Mariah Seitz as elementary summer school teachers. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Kelsey Knopp was approved as middle school summer school teacher on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Roush. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Jennifer Hendricks was approved as high school summer school teacher on a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Roush. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Jessica Pfeiffer was approved as K-2 teacher’s aide for the 2021-2022 school year on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Gorden. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

On a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Morey, Madison Craig was approved as RTI/Title I aide for the 2021-2022 school year. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Morey, Taylor Kircher was approved as middle school and high school RTI aide for the 2021-2022. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Mariah Seitz was approved as middle school cheer coach for 2021-2022 on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Morey. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Lindsey Evenson was approved as part time Pre-K Parent Coordinator for 2021-2022 school year on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Gorden. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Morey, Julian Nelms was approved as part-time custodian. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Morey, the Board approved the district bus driver pay increase schedule for 2021-2022 as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

On a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Roush, the Board approved the administrative pay increase schedule for 2021-2022 as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The Board amended the job title of Restorative Justice Coordinator to Student Service Coordinator for 2021-2022 on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Morey. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m. on a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Herbert. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be June 21, 2021, 6:30 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1343712/5-17-21_minutes.pdf