Macon Reporter

Blue Ridge Community Unified School District 18 Board met Jan. 19.

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 S called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

II. Roll Call

Board Members in attendance were Carlos Burton, Kenna Dunlap Johnson, Rusty Woliung, Chelsie Leffelman, Jason Nolan and Dale Schneman. Franci Miller was absent.

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

III. Public Comments/Recognition of Guests

Debra Field Chris Zimmerman

Chris Zimmerman thanked the board for their service to the school and community. He also spoke about giving fair chances and opportunities to all applicants that apply for coaching positions.

IV. Presentations

A. Goose Creek Wind, Ido Adar

The representative for Goose Creek Wind was double booked for presentations. He will be presenting next month in February.

B. Transportation Proposal, Debra Field

The transportation director, Debra Field presented the proposal of the transportation department on the vehicles for next year. The 83 passenger busses seem more responsible for our current and future needs. She also suggested that the district go with gas busses, rather than diesel. The bigger busses that she is proposing only are able to use gas as fuel. She would also like to go with International Fleet rather than Blue Bird. Another addition she would like to make is the addition of white activity busses. This would allow for district staff, that aren’t CDL holders, to drive the white busses to events. This would eliminate the shortage of bus drivers so that coaches and assistant coaches could drive the bus to events.

V. Communication

A. FOIA Request-Smart Procure

A FOIA request was received from Smart Procure requesting the purchase records from September 2021 through current.

VI. Committee Reports

A. Finance Committee Update-Kent Kull, Annual Financial Report The Finance committee met prior to the regular Board of Education meeting with Kent Kull to review the annual finance report.

VII. Administrative Reports

A. Superintendent

Dr. Stanifer presented her report and highlighted that the principals, nurses, secretaries, drivers and all staff have stepped up with all of the extra tasks that have come their way this school year. She thanked them for all their extra hard work and long hours they’re putting in.

1.Quarterly Financial Report

2.Strategic Planning Goal #2 Review

B. Principals

1.Mr. Ryan Peyton, Schneider Elementary

Mr. Peyton presented his report and highlighted a couple of events coming up. The dental clinic, that is open to everyone, will be held at the end of January and the Benchmark testing will also begin in the near future.

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

Mrs. Nichols presented her report and highlighted a couple areas. She welcomed the new staff to the Junior High building for 8th grade ELA, 7th & 8th grade PE and 7th & 8th grade Science. She also thanked the HS Student Council for donating their mascot costume.

3.Mr. Brian Easter, Blue Ridge High School

Mr. Easter presented his report and added the worksheet created to show the current and projected pay for ahtletic officials.

C. Curriculum

D. Technology

E. Operations and Maintenance

F. Transportation

G. Food Services

VIII. Approval of Consent Items

Motion by Kenna Dunlap Johnson 2nd by Rusty Woliung to approve the consent agenda items listed on attachment A as presented.

Roll call vote 6 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. Ratification of Suspensions

F. Approval of 2021-2022 Seniority Lists for Tenured and Non-Tenured Certified Staff and Non-Certified Support Staff

G. Technology Assistant Position Update

IX. New Business

A. PRESS 108 First Reading

1. List of PRESS 108 Policies

2:220 E8 School Board Recording Maintenance Requirements and FAQs

2:220 E3 Closed Meeting Minutes

4:165 Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors

7:80 Release Time for Religious Instruction/Observance

7:70 Attendance and Truancy

7:60 Residence

7:345 Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security

7:340 Student Records

7:315 Restriction on Publications; High Schools

7:310 Restrictions on Publications; Elementary Schools

7:30 Student Assignment

7:290 Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention

7:260 Exemption from Physical Education

7:250 Student Support Services

7:240 Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities

7:210 Expulsion Procedures

7:200 Suspension Procedures

7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited

7:190 Student Behavior

7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment

7:160 Student Appearance

7:150 Agency and Police Interviews

7:10 Equal Educational Opportunities

6:60 Curriculum Content

6:50 School Wellness

6:340 Student Testing and Assessment Program

6:300 Graduation Requirements

6:20 School Year Calendar and Day

6:15 School Accountability

6:135 Accelerated Placement Program

6:120 Education of Children with Disabilities

5:90 Abused and Neglected Child Reporting

5:50 Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace; E-Cigarette, Tobacco, and Cannabis Prohibition

5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves

5:30 Hiring Process and Criteria

5:250 Leaves of Absence

5:220 Substitute Teachers

5:200 Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal

5:20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited

5:185 Family and Medical Leave

5:150 Personnel Records

5:125 Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct

5:120 Employee Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest

5:100 Staff Development Program

5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment

4:60 Purchases

4:175 Convicted Child Sex Offender; Screening; Notifications

4:170 Safety

4:160 Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds

3:60 Administrative Responsibility of the Building Principal

3:50 Administrative Personnel Other Than the Superintendent

3:40 Superintendent

2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure

2:220 E6 Log of Closed Meeting Minutes

2:220 E5 Semi-Annual Review of Closed Meeting Minutes

2:220 E1 Board Treatment of Closed Meeting Verbatim Recordings and Minutes

2:220 School Board Meeting Procedure

2:20 Powers and Duties of the School Board; Indemnification

2:120 Board Member Development

2:110 Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Officers

2:105 Ethics and Gift Ban

8:100 Relations with Other Organizations and Agencies

B. Approval of Transportation Proposal for 2022-2023

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Jason Nolan to approve the transportation proposal for 2022-2023, as presented.

Roll call vote 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

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

Motion by Chelsie Leffelman 2nd by Carlos Burton to approve the 2020-2021 Annual Financial Report, Shared Service Report, and the Fiscal Efficiency form for Blue Ridge CUSD#18 conducted by Mose, Yockey, Brown, and Kull, LLC, Shelbyville, IL as presented.

Roll call vote 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

X. Closed Session

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Chelsie Leffelman to move from open session to closed session for appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of specific employees of the District and collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives at 7:39 p.m.

Roll call vote 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

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

1. Employment, Science Teacher, BRIJHS

2. Employment, ELA Teacher, BRIJHS

3. Technology Assistant

B. Negotiations Preparation

C. Performance

D. Permission for Superintendent to Hire before February Board of Education meeting

XI. Open Session

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Dale Schneman to move from closed session to open session at 9:16 p.m.

Voice vote 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

Motion by Chelsie Leffelman 2nd by Carlos Burton to approve the employment of

∙ Alex Chapman, Science Teacher, BRIJHS

∙ Amanda Moore, ELA Teacher, BRIJHS

for the 2021-2022 school year, as presented.

Roll Call Vote 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

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

Voice vote 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

XII. Good of the Cause Discussion

A. Consideration of Additional Sick Days for Personnel for 2021-2022 Due to COVID-19

The Board discussed the possibility of additional sick days being granted to school personnel if the House Bill 2778 is passed.

XIII. Adjournment

Motion by Rusty Woliung 2nd by Carlos Burton to adjourn the meeting at 9:27 p.m. Roll call vote. 6 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1708?meeting=510067