The Meridian CUSD #15 Board of Education held its regular September meeting on Monday, September 18, 2023. During the meeting two public hearings were held. The first included a presentation of the fiscal year 2024 budget. Finances are anticipated to be in good shape for the year as all operating funds are budgeted to end with a slight surplus. Additionally, a hearing was held to renew the district’s E-Learning plan. The plan was adopted three years ago in response to a new state law that allowed for home based learning through an electronic format. By law, the plan needs to be evaluated and renewed with the Regional Office of Education every three years. The plan was renewed and it is anticipated that it would only be used in the event that one of the buildings would need to be closed for an extended period of time.
Information from administration was shared with the Board that included: (all administrative reports can be found on pages 2-5 on this link)
- An update on fall athletics was provide by Mrs. Lucas.
- The elementary PTO walk-a-thon raised $16,648. Mrs. Meisenhelter’s class was the top class, raising $1,817.
- The K-5 elementary enrollment is up 25 students from last year.
- The current 6-8 enrollment is 212, which is an increase of 7 students from the end of last year.
- The MMS Junior Honor Society raised $1,086.09 the week of 9/11 for the 9/11 Memorial in Decatur.
- Additionally, middle school students in PE class completed the 9/11 Tower Challenge completing 110 flights of stairs with a partner to signify the climb to the top of the World Trade Center.
- The current high school enrollment is 309, which is an increase of 16 students from the end of last year.
- The high school had a very successful homecoming week. Thank you to the student council for the efforts to coordinate all of the events.
- The high school drama club is set to perform All’s Well in Roswell (Isn’t it?) on November 18 & 19.
- The district was awarded a grant for $100,746.60 from the Illinois State Board of Education. The grant will primarily be used for teacher retention with a district wide teacher mentoring program, staff professional development, and updated classroom instructional technology.
The Board acted to unanimously approve the following items: the FY24 district budget, the FFA trip to the National Convention in Indianapolis, and the district’s E-Learning plan. Additionally, high school graduation was set for Saturday, May 18, at 5:00 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is on Monday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Meridian CUSD Board room at the Macon campus.