Macon Reporter

Blue Ridge Community Unified School District 18 Board d of Education met Dec. 15.

Here are 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, Rusty Woliung, Jason Nolan and Dale Schneman. Franci Miller and Chelsie Leffelman arrived at 7:50 p.m.

Also in attendance were Superintendent Hillary Stanifer; Principal Katie Nichols, Principal Ryan Peyton, and Recording Secretary Kristi Woliung. Principal, Brian Easter was in attendance via zoom.

III. Public Comments/Recognition of Guests

Megan Hardesty Drake Hardesty Lauren Elam Clay Flessner Laina Flessner Kathi Drozs Darrin Duncan Ginger Danner-Duncan Ella Danner-Duncan Vivian Danner-Duncan Megan Otto Justin Otto Conner Otto Alesia Zander Annabeth Zander Chris Wells Mike Smith Tonya Evans Molly Schneman Megan Bentley Todd Burns Samantha Boogren

A. Ginger Danner-Duncan - BR CUSD #18 Student Activites Equality Ginger Danner-Duncan spoke to the Board of Education concerning the equality that homeschooled students should receive.

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 with a certificate by the Board of Education members. Those students receiving the awards were Laina Flessner (K), Lorelei Lueders (1st), Annabeth Zander (2nd), Abby Isaacs (3rd), Emily Drozs (4th), Sebastian Cox (5th), Hunter Pirtle (6th) Drake Hardesty (7th), Andrew Schumacher (8th), Conner Otto and Sami Boogren (Sr.). Staff receiving the awards were Chris Wells (BRSE), Heather Wilcoxon (BRIJHS), Mike Smith (BRHS).

V. Communication

A. Sandra Shelton

Sandra Shelton, a long term substitute teacher in our district, sent a note to the Board of Education letting them know of her appreciation to their efforts.

B. Substitute Pay

Mrs. Nichols received an email regarding the increase in sub teacher pay and how it was appreciated and noticed.

VI. Committee Reports

No committees met this month. The finance committee meeting was postponed to January.

VII. Administrative Reports

A. Superintendent

Dr. Stanifer presented her report and highlighted a few areas. She thanked the principals, secretaries, nurses and drivers for their continued dedicated and hard work during SHIELD testing.

1.Review of Strategic Plan Goal 1

Dr. Stanifer provided information from the Strategic Planning Day that 28 people were involved in. Patrick Allen from IASB presented and help create the SMART subgoals. One of the upcoming events that are a result of this planning day is community events in all 3 towns during the school year. An additional goal is to work with Boosters on the rebranding project with Herff Jones.

B. Principals

1.Mr. Ryan Peyton, Schneider Elementary

Mr. Peyton presented his report and highlighted a few areas. The K-1 Christmas program was a big hit with music, instruments and songs. The PIE is providing 12 days of cheer to acknowledge the staff.

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

Mrs. Nichols presented her report and highlighted a few areas. The 4-6 winter program was presented and was Mrs. Wrestler’s final program. Broghen Flannell received 1st place in the Patriotic Pen Essay.

3.Mr. Brian Easter, Blue Ridge High School

Mr. Easter presented his report and highlighted a few areas. Winter sports are underway with girls’ and boys’ basketball. Also the band concert was a nice way to kick off the holiday spirit.

C. Curriculum

D. Technology

E. Operations and Maintenance

F. Transportation

G. Food Services

VIII. Approval of Consent Items

Motion by Jason Nolan 2nd by Rusty Woliung to approve the consent agenda items listed on attachment A as presented.

Roll call vote 5 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

A. Minutes from Regular and Special Board of Education Meetings

B. Financial Reports

C. Bills and Payroll

D. Resignation of District Personnel

E. Fuel Bid

F. Review of Safe Return Plan

G. School/District Report Cards

H. Payment to IMRF for Unfunded Liability of $25K

I. Annual Consideration for Senate Bill 7/PERA Joint Committee

J. 2021 Bowl Trip Updates

K. Ratification of Suspensions

IX. Old Business

A. Discuss for Approval 2021 Tax Levy

Motion by Kenna Dunlap Johnson 2nd by Jason Nolan to approve the 2021 tax levy for Blue Ridge Community Unit School District #18 as presented.

Roll call vote 5 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

X. New Business

A. Alpha Controls Proposal for Schneider Elementary

Motion by Dale Schneman 2nd by Rusty Woliung to approve the $14,300 proposal from Alpha for software, installation, and training, as presented.

Roll call vote 5 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

B. TMI Proposal for Work at BRIJHS

Motion by Jason Nolan 2nd by Kenna Dunlap Johnson to approve the $24,100 proposal from TMI to replace two Unit 2 compressors, including the associated steps, at BRIJHS, as presented.

Roll call vote 4 ayes 1 nays Motion carried.

C. **Tabled** Review for Approval of 2020-2021 Annual Audit and Shared Service Report and Fiscal Efficiency Schedule

Motion by ________________ 2nd by ________________ to accept and approve the District Audit and the Shared Service Report and Fiscal Efficiency form for Blue Ridge Community Unit School District #18 conducted by Mose, Yockey, Brown, and Kull, LLC, Shelbyville, IL for the 2020-2021 school term, as presented.

Roll call vote. ______ ayes ______ nays

XI. Closed Session

Motion by Rusty Woliung 2nd by Jason Nolan to move from open session to closed session for discussion of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the district; or

collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives at 7:48 p.m.

Roll call vote 5 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the district, or collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives. 5ILCS 120./2(c) (1).

1. Employment, Head Baseball Coach, Blue Ridge High School 2. Employment, Head Softball Coach, Blue Ridge High School 3. Employment, Technology Assistant, District

B. Negotiations Preparation

C. Superintendent Evaluation Instrument and Progress Towards Goals D. Discussion of BRIJHS Support

XII. Open Session

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Chelsie Leffelman to move from closed session to open session at 8:53 p.m.

Voice vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Rusty Woliung to approve the employment of

. Colten Reeves, Varsity Boys’ Baseball Coach, BRHS

∙ Jennifer Zimmerman, Varsity Girls’ Softball Coach, BRHS

∙ William Walsh Technology Assistant, District

Roll Call Vote 6 ayes 0 nays 1 abstain Motion carried.

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Franci Miller to approve the Superintendent to hire for open positions prior to the January Board of Education meeting.

Voice Vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

XIII. Good of the Cause Discussion

The Finance committee will meet on January 19 at 6pm and the Facilities committee will meet on February 16 at 6pm. Also the Y-Zone is offering both before and after school care and will be running their program during the Christmas break as well.

XIV. Adjournment

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Rusty Woliung to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

Voice vote: 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1708?meeting=505607