Macon Reporter

Meridian Community Unit School District No. 15 Board of Education met Nov. 15.

Here are 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, Adam Herbert, Clint Gorden, and Matt Roush. Member Jones entered at 6:33 and Member Kraft at 6:36. Member Morey was absent. Also in attendance were: Andy Pygott, Superintendent; Eric Hurelbrink, High School Principal; Mindy McGuire, Middle School Principal; Lori Guebert, Elementary Principal; and Michelle Miller, Recording Secretary.

November Elementary Students of the Month:

Kindergarten- Gabriel Sims, Eden Kircher, Zola Murray

1st Grade- Madison Fisher, Kayden Renfro, Leighton Johnson, Kaizley Heppe

2nd Grade- Jerzee Grider, Wren Pfeiffer, Elizabeth Noland, Charlotte Ward

3rd Grade- Addison Parker, Briley Conder, McKenna Johnson, Ethan Perry

4th Grade- Hayden Crist, Bentley Cooper, Landri Rowcliff

5th Grade- Addison Marion, Colt Green, Annaliese Essien

Administrator Reports

The schools are busy collecting items in the spirit of the holidays benefiting local charities. The elementary students are learning Christmas music which will be recorded and posted on social media. A live concert is being planned for the spring.

Mrs. Butler has organized a peer tutoring program that pairs high school students with a middle school student who needs extra assistance with homework. There are currently 11 pairs of students utilizing this service.

Charlotte Pritts, middle school student, designed a mural for the new barbershop in Macon. Mrs. Perry’s art club members helped paint the mural. The art club also created a show stopping flag for Veteran’s Day that fills the entrance doors to the high school. The following seniors have been named Illinois State Scholars: Laney Jones, Keagan Kantor, Madison Sapp, Lexi Jones, Cole Rappe, and Maria Steiling.

An after school tutoring program will begin in all buildings after Thanksgiving break to help those students in need.

It was noted for future reference that the Macon Piatt special education program is short staffed and some of our students who would participate in the program are being sent back to the home district for services. This may cause a need for aides at the elementary school in the near future to help with these students.

Superintendent Report

Follow-up: Burdick has been scheduled to complete the drain project in the high school gym storage closet.

ESSER III grant approved in the amount of $1,326,545 over the next 3 years.

Hytera Radio updates in progress.

Siemens scheduled to run software updates for the HVAC systems.

Other: The tuition waiver request has a “tentative” approval after the fall General Assembly session. Waiting for official letter.

Digital Equity Grant-will request funds to cover necessary audio/visual equipment for the MES gym/stage area.

ESSER III funds will cover the after school tutoring program put in place after Thanksgiving break.

The facilities use request for the Macon Fire Department that was approved for November 19 has been moved to January.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Gorden, the consent agenda was approved which consists of October 18, 2021 minutes, October financial reports, and November disbursements as follows:

Education $120,028.92           Building $50,239.83

Debt Service $599,160.56      Transport $16,102.24

Cap Projects $21,198.10        TOTAL: $806,729.65(does not include payroll) 

Also included are the resignations of the following: Erin Janvrin, MDL Secretary, Ashley Dawson, Asst. Boys’ Soccer Coach, Kayla Parker, Bus Driver; Ponce Palmer, Asst. Boys’ Basketball Coach. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The current budget analysis was reviewed.

The bond abatement schedule was presented followed by the tentative tax levy. Mr. Pygott noted that the tentative levy maintains the same tax rate as the previous year’s levy. Member Jones does not agree with the levy and is requesting a levy with an increased abatement amount.

School Report Card for Meridian was viewed. Data in areas of the report card are delayed or impacted due to COVID.

The Buildings & Transportation Committee met on November 1. The committee is looking at ways to cut costs on the Ag Facility. The project will go out to bid again this winter. $400,000 was approved in ESSER funds towards the Ag building. The committee will meet with the Ag Boosters tomorrow to discuss the project.

The committee also discussed two used buses for purchase. It was the consensus of the Board to buy the buses outright versus a loan. Mr. Pygott expressed the district’s need for either a smaller capacity bus or an activity bus to help with transportation schedules and fleet availability.

The Athletic Committee met on November 11. The committee reviewed fall coaching evaluations. The football scoreboard was discussed. Matt Roush said the scoreboard could be recovered for an estimate of $7500 versus a new scoreboard cost of $17,000. It was suggested that local groups be contacted for sponsorship.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Gorden, the Board meeting schedule for 2022 was approved as amended. The September and October meeting start time was moved to 7:30 p.m. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Approval of Tax Abatement Resolutions were tabled.

The Board adopted the tentative 2021 tax levy on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Jones. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-1. Member Jones voted nay.

Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft, motioned to approve the Resolution to offer Teacher Retirement System’s supplemental savings plan for qualifying employees. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

On a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Gorden, the purchase of two new/used Thomas 71 passenger buses from Midwest Bus Sales was approved. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

The meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:32 p.m. on a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Kraft 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 9:28 p.m. on a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Roush. Motion carried 6-0.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft, Megan Helfer was hired as Meridian Elementary School Secretary. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Brittany Deckard was approved as bus monitor on a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Roush. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Shaun Scales and Karla Sinnard were approved as custodians on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft, Chelsea Getz was approved as Middle School Asst. Volleyball Coach for 21-22. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

On a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Roush, Jennifer Hendricks and Christina Fields were approved as Middle School volunteer volleyball coaches for 21-22. Motion carried 6-0.

The FMLA request from Bob Murray, custodian, was approved on a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

Member Herbert, seconded by Member Roush, motioned to rehire the following fall coaches: Phil Stielow, golf; Mat Rund, boys’ soccer; Jenny Hendricks, HS volleyball; Micah Sheppard, football. Motion carried on a roll call vote 6-0.

On a motion by Member Roush, seconded by Member Kraft, the meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be December 20, 2021, 6:30 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1757686/11-15-21_minutes.pdf