The Meridian CUSD #15 Board of Education held its regular February meeting on Monday, February 19. Information from administration was shared with the Board that included: (full administrative reports can be found on pages 2-5 at this link)
Winter sports are wrapping up and MHS recently hosted the 7th grade IESA boys state basketball tournament.
MES is focusing on kindness this month. Staff has been organizing various events and recognizing acts of kindness throughout the school day. Additionally, Hawk Hangout, which is an intervention based after school program, is running very well for the students involved.
MMS is featuring the drama production of The Little Mermaid Jr. this month, with shows March 1 - 3. Also, the Illinois Assessment of Readiness will be administered in early March.
It is FFA week at MHS with numerous activities throughout the district. The scheduling of classes for next school year is underway. Also, senior Maggie Pritts, recently placed first in the Physics Academic Challenge hosted at Lake Land College.
In personnel action, the Board approved the resignation of Leslie Wolpert as an elementary paraprofessional and the retirement at the end of the school year for Laurie Perkes, who is a Pre-K paraprofessional. Other personnel actions included the employment of Heidi Hedges and Tarin Jibben as bus drivers, the transfer of third grade teacher Holly Steiling to the Reading Specialist position at MES next school year, and the appointment of Denise Hunt as an assistant volunteer MS track coach.
The Board approved a bid from Schrock Builders to construct a transportation facility which will be located south of the baseball field on the Macon campus. The project consists of three post frame buildings. Two of the buildings will be used to store the district's school buses indoors. The third building will be a bus mechanic shop and will also include office space, restrooms, and a drivers lounge. The district’s current transportation location is leased. The buses currently have to be stored outside and the current shop does not meet the needs of the district in maintaining 21 school buses. Groundwork for the project is expected to begin in March and the construction of the buildings is expected to begin in May.
The Board approved the final payment to Christy-Foltz for the agricultural facility and approved a facility request from the Meridian Youth League for summer baseball/softball. The Board also approved the purchase of vaping sensors, which will be installed in the middle school and high school restrooms. Lastly, a school calendar for the 2024-2025 school year was not approved. The calendar will be revised and submitted for consideration of approval at the March meeting.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Meridian District Office.