The Meridian Community Unit School District #15 Board of Education met Monday, September 21, at the Meridian District Office. The meeting included a review of district operations, academics, athletics, building projects, enrollment, and plans for the remainder of the school year.
Athletics Continue Strong Start
Meridian athletics remain active as fall sports move through their regular seasons and postseason competition. The Middle School softball team completed its season with an 8-11 record and advanced to the regional championship game. The Middle School baseball team is currently 8-6 and will play for the regional championship on Wednesday
The football team remains undefeated following a 53-14 victory over South Fork. The soccer team also has enjoyed a strong start with a 5-2 record. Golf competition continues, with Meridian hosting the Macon County Golf Match and following the postseason progress of Wyatt Martin.
Middle School girls basketball recently held tryouts, with more than 30 students participating. The program has a roster of 24 players, with eight students representing each grade level. The team's first game is scheduled for September 28, at home against AO.
The district also held its annual Green and White Night on August 14, providing an opportunity for families and community members to meet the football, soccer, and volleyball teams as they prepared for the season.
District Facilities and Reconstruction Efforts Continue
Maintenance staff continue to address routine needs throughout the district, including athletic field preparation, equipment maintenance, repairs, and facility improvements. At the Macon campus, building systems were reported to be operating well. Work also continues at the Stonington location as staff complete the installation of classroom and building items such as Smart Boards, televisions, clocks, coat hooks, shelves, and dispensers.
The district is also continuing work related to the reconstruction of Meridian Elementary School following the tornado damage. The Board agenda included consideration of a pay request from Top Quality for work completed on the roof over the lobby, stage, and locker rooms. The rubber membrane is complete, with metal work and gutters remaining.
The Board also considered a construction management agreement with O'Shea Builders for the reconstruction of MES. The proposed services include contract management and enforcement, as well as site observation to ensure construction work is completed according to specifications.
Academic Programs and Student Support
Curriculum implementation continues across the district. IXL is being implemented in grades K-12, with students completing math and English language arts diagnostic assessments and participating in weekly Diagnostic Arena activities. Elementary students and district special education students also completed fall AimsWeb Plus universal screenings in reading and math. The resulting data is being used to establish intervention groups.
Teachers are also continuing to refine curriculum maps throughout the school year, with updates planned at least quarterly. Social-emotional learning initiatives are underway, including the BASC-3 BESS screener for students in grades 3-12. The information will be used to establish targeted SEL goals and intervention groups.
At Meridian Elementary School, new curriculum initiatives include a morphology-based literacy structure for grades 3-5 and the implementation of the Core Knowledge Social Studies curriculum across grades K-5. The district is also continuing to establish WIN intervention groups based on beginning-of-year assessment data.
Elementary School Settles Into Stonington
Meridian Elementary School students and staff continue to adjust to their temporary home in Stonington following the tornado damage to the district's elementary building. According to the principal's report, routines are becoming more established, and the district has received positive feedback from families, staff, and community members about the facility.
The school also recently received classroom supply donations from 3M after the company learned about the tornado damage. The donated materials included ScotchBlue Painter's Tape, Command products, Post-it Notes, and other classroom supplies.
Middle and High School Updates
The middle school has completed its beginning-of-year activities, hosted an Open House, and begun recognizing students through initiatives such as Hawk Proud and PE Sportsmanship awards. Middle School staff have also completed several safety drills, including fire, bus evacuation, and tornado drills. Student support initiatives include Transitional Academic Support, RTI, At-Risk Tutoring, and Resource programs.
The high school has settled into its regular routines, while clubs and activities have begun for the new school year. High school staff also participated in dyslexia training during the September 4, in-service day. Homecoming Week is scheduled for September 28 through October 3 and will include spirit activities, a coronation, Powder Puff, an all-district pep assembly, the Homecoming Parade, and the Homecoming Dance.
Board Business
The Board held a public hearing regarding the FY 2027 budget. The annual budget approval is part of the district's process for formally adopting its budget for the fiscal year. The Board's agenda included approval of the district's FY 2027 budget, approval of the FFA National Convention trip scheduled for October 21-24, and approval of the 2027 Meridian High School graduation for May 15, at 1 p.m. The Board also approved PRESS Policy Update 122, a pay request from Top Quality, and a construction management agreement with O’Shea Builders for the MES reconstruction project. In personnel action, David Boulier was hired as a middle school custodian, Heather Johnson was approved as the MS drama sponsor, and Hannah Floyd was approved as the MS assistant volleyball coach.
The next regular meeting of the Meridian Board of Education is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, October 19, 2026, at the Meridian District Office.