Macon Reporter

Blue Ridge Community Unified School District #18 Board of Education met Feb. 16.

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 p.m.

II. Roll Call

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

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

Andrea Weedman Annette Warsaw & Jake from Herff Jones Kelly Soliday TJ & Jenny Clark Josh Hartke Ava Jamison Debra & Brian Field Jennifer McIntyre Connie Hieronymus Amy Jamison Paul Buchanan Paige Malboy Roslyn Freden Nancy Ellis Camille Buchanan Dave Kramer Leslie Hieronymus Douglas Kramer Laura Enger Erica Duvall Jen Zimmerman Jenny Bateman Marsha Prater

IV. Presentations

A. Herff Jones - updated logo preview

Jake and Tori from Herff Jones presented the new and improved Knighthead logo. They also displayed other logos that would be used to represent our district. These will be used throughout the district on appareal, window wraps, gym floors, website, etc.

B. 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 Brynnen Soliday (K), Brantley Clark (1st), Ella McIntyre (2nd), Roslyn Freden (3rd), Felycia Butler (4th), Kolton Prater (5th), Emma Johnson (6th) Karlie Summers and Brenna Light (7th), Ivy Whitehouse and Carmen Ellis (8th), Camille Buchanan (Jr.) and Ava Jamison (Sr.). Staff receiving the awards were Michelle Wills (BRSE), Erica Duvall (BRIJHS), Coleen Paullin (BRHS)

C. Goosecreek Wind Farm - Josh Hartke

Jost Hartke from Goosecreek Wind Farm presented on the progress of the Piatt County project and the revenue the project could bring to our district.

D. Technology Presentation-Andrea Weedman and Dave Kramer

Andrea Weedman and Dave Kramer presented the updates in the technology department. A couple of items they highlighted was the new website design they’re working on and new and more efficient equipment that will be installed in the district.

V. Communication

A. FOIA - IL Retired Teachers

A FOIA request was made for the names and email addresses for all retiring teachers by the IL Retired Teachers Association.

VI. Committee Reports

A. Facilities Committee Meeting

The Facilities Committee met prior to the regular board meeting and discussed the HLS 10 year review and also prioritized the items on that list. They also discussed and reviewed the currenty district project list.

VII. Administrative Reports

A. Superintendent

Dr. Stanifer presented her report and highlighted a few areas. The recent TRO information was a hot topic and the district paused COVID-19 mitigations. Lunch seating is another area that is being discussed. For the time being, lunch seating will remain the same and the distance between students will remain.

1. Strategic Planning Goal Area 3

Dr. Stanifer presented the goals from the monthly strategic planning. The main focus is the redesign of the district website and maintenance and upkeep and also looking into updated curriculum for honor classes and dual credit classes.

B. Principals

1.Mr. Ryan Peyton, Schneider Elementary

Mr. Peyton presented his report and highlighted a few areas. Pre-K screenings are coming up on March 31 and April 1 and Kindergarten registration is scheduled for March 8. He also wanted to recognize the PIE for their continued support. Their most recent contributions were organzing supply kits for the upcoming school year, donated funding for the Gotcha store and also themed food days for the staff.

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

Mrs. Nichols presented her report and highlighted a few areas. She expressed her congratulations to the JH Scholastic Bowl for the back to back wins and also the record number of students involved in the club. She also mentioned that the 7th grade SVC tournament will be hosted by us and held at the High School.

3.Mr. Brian Easter, Blue Ridge High School

Mr. Easter presented his report and highlighed a few areas. He congratulated the HS Scholastic Bowl on winning the LPC conference. He also added that Herff Jones provided him with a wall decal to add school pride to his long office wall.

It displays the newly updated logo.

C. Curriculum

D. Technology

E. Operations and Maintenance

F. Transportation

G. Food Services

VIII. Approval of Consent Items

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

Roll call vote 7 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. Ratifications of Suspensions

F. Pre-K Funding Memo

G. Approval of Public School Calendar 2022-2023 and 2023-2024

H. Approval of 2022-2023 Behavior and Discipline Code

I. SEL Bully Prevention

J. Concussion Protocol Meeting

K. 2022-2023 Acceptable Usage Agreement

L. 2022-2023 Chromebook Usage Agreement

M. Fuel Consortium Pricing

N. Approval for District Architect to Prepare Bidding for VAV Box Project at BRHS

O. Technology Assistant Job Description

P. MOU Technology Assistant Position

Q. Technology Assistant Evaluation Memo

IX. Old Business

A. Second Reading PRESS Policy 108

Motion by Chelsie Leffelman 2nd by Franci Miller to approve the policy updates for PRESS 108 for Blue Ridge Community Unit School District #18 for the 2021-2022 school term, as presented.

1. Roll call vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried

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. Revised Bus Lease Proposal for 2022-2023

Motion by Rusty Woliung 2nd by Dale Schneman to approve the lease of three 78 passenger gas buses from Midwest Transit for the 2022-2023 school year for Blue Ridge CUSD 18, as presented.

Roll Call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

**Tabeled until next month**

C. Sick Day Allotment 2021-2022

Motion by ________________ 2nd by _______________ to approve the 2021-2022 Sick Leave Allotment Memorandum of Understanding for Blue Ridge CUSD #18, as presented.

Roll Call Vote ______ ayes

X. New Business

A. Athletic Official Pay Scale

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Franci Miller to accept the athletic official pay increase proposal for Blue Ridge High School, effective for the 2022-2023 school year, as presented.

Roll Call Vote 7 ayes 0 nayes Motion carried.

B. Summer Positions

Motion by Carlos Burton and 2nd by Kenna Dunlap Johnson to approve the following spring/summer positions: 20 general education teachers, 1 special education teacher, 9 paraprofessionals, 2 summer O&M workers, and one summer Technology worker, as presented.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays

Motion carried.

C. PMA Financial Advisory Agreement

Motion by Chelsie Leffelman 2nd by Franci Miller to approve the financial advisory agreement with PMA, as presented.

Roll Call Vote 7 ayes 0 nayes Motion carried.

XI. Closed Session

Motion by Carlso Burton 2nd by Rusty Woliung to move from open session to closed session for appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of specific employees of the District, ongoing, pending, or probable litigation, and collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives at 8:17 p.m.

Roll call vote 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

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

1. Employment, Industrial Technology, BRHS

2. Employment, Softball Assistant Coach, BRHS

3. Employment, Technology Assistant, District

4. Employment, Drama Set Design Position, BRHS

5. Appointment, Volunteer Softball Coach, BRHS

6. Litigation Update

7. Negotiations

8. Performance

9. Request Permission for Superintendent to Hire for Any Open Positions Prior to the March Board of Education Meeting

XII. Open Session

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Rusty Woliung to move from closed session to open session at 10:04 p.m.

Voice vote. 7 ayes 0 nays

Motion carried.

Motion by Rusty Woliung 2nd by Jason Nolan to approve the employment of

• Rich Voyles, Asst Softball Coach, BRHS

• Douglas Kramer, Technology Assistant, District

• Sarah Yeagle, Play Set Design, BRHS for Blue Ridge CUSD 18 for the 2021-2022 school year, as presented.

Voice vote. 7 ayes 0 nays

Motion carried.

Motion by ________________ 2nd by ______________to approve the employment of

• ______________, Industrial Technology, BRHS for Blue Ridge CUSD 18 for the 2022-2023 school year, as presented.

Voice vote. ____ayes____nays

Motion by ________________ 2nd by ______________to approve the appointment of

• ________________, Volunteer Softball Coach, BRHS for Blue Ridge CUSD 18 for the 2021-2022 school year, as presented.

Voice vote. ____ayes____nays

Motion by Jason Nolan 2nd by Rusty Woliung to authorize the Superintendent to hire for any open positions prior to the next board meeting

Voice vote

7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

XIII. Good of the Cause Discussion

A. BR Connect - Apr 20, 2022

B. Abe Lincoln Division Dinner

XIV. Adjournment

Motion by Carlos Burton 2nd by Rusty Woliung to adjourn the meeting at 10:11 p.m.

Roll call vote. 7 ayes 0 nays Motion carried.

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1708?meeting=514983