The Meridian CUSD #15 Board of Education held its regular November meeting on Monday, November 20, 2023. Information from administration was shared with the Board that included: (all administrative reports can be found on pages 2-7 at this link)
High school basketball seasons have begun. There are 17 girls on the girls team and 24 boys on the boys team. McKenna Koehler is also participating in swimming as an individual. She placed 9th in the 500 freestyle at the recent IHSA Sectional meet.
The elementary school has many upcoming events that include community service activities, the third-fifth grade Christmas concert on December 6, and participating in Ag. in the Classroom with the Macon County Farm Bureau.
The middle school has also been participating in charitable endeavors that have included a canned food drive, collections for the Humane Society, and a sock drive for the Northeast Community Fund.
The high school had six students named as Illinois State Scholars including: Tara Reynolds, Connor Ryan, Gwen Scott, Hayden Bergschneider, Emma Pistorius, and Maggie Pritts. Additionally, the drama club recently presented “All’s Well in Roswell.”
In action items, the Board approved a network security program which will identify areas to upgrade web security. A tentative tax levy was approved which totals an aggregate levy of $5,854,560. The Board also approved the Risk Management Plan, which outlines expenditures from the district’s Tort Immunity fund. An increase for middle school basketball officials from $70 to $85 was approved. A service agreement with ROE 39 for alternative education services was approved. Lastly, the Board approved projects for a school maintenance grant. The projects will be completed with $50,000 being awarded through state grant and another $50,000 coming from the district's Operations and Maintenance fund. Those projects include replacing the driveway and drainage system east of the agriculture facility, new photocell LED parking lot lights at the Macon campus, upgraded electrical circuits in the ag. shop, a new door on the NW side of the elementary school gym, and upgrading the electronic door entry system throughout both campuses to increase security.
In personnel action items, the Board approved the resignations of Keeley Houser as a Speech-Language Pathologist effective December 22, and Tyler Clark as the Drama vocal coach. The board approved head coaching positions for the fall of 2024 that included, Brian Britton- MS Baseball, Gracie Butler- MS Softball, Jennifer Hendricks- HS Volleyball, Matt Rund- HS Boys Soccer, Kyle Sparks- HS Football, and Phil Stielow- HS Golf. Mark Amenda, Terry Kaufmann, and Kyle Woolington were approved as high school baseball assistant coaches. Additionally, the high school girls basketball assistant position will be split by Brandon Windell and Gregg Meisenhelter along with the high school girls soccer assistant coach position being split by Carly Day and Tyler Burgess. Lastly, the Board approved promotions for maintenance/custodial staff members Carl Jones and Bob Murray based on performance and years of service.