MACON, Ill. — As Meridian Community Unit School District #15 transitions into summer, district administrators reported a successful conclusion to the 2025-26 school year highlighted by historic athletic achievements, ongoing facility improvements, and preparations for the upcoming academic year.
At the June 22 Board of Education meeting, administrators shared updates from across the district, showcasing accomplishments by students, staff, and athletic programs.
Storm Damage at MES
The elementary school was hit by a tornado on Wednesday, June 17, which resulted in significant damage. At the time of the meeting, insurance adjusters, building consultants, and architects were evaluating the status of the building. As information is available, the district will communicate progress being made.
Historic Softball Season Caps Coach's Career
The Meridian softball team delivered one of the most memorable seasons in school history, capturing both Regional and Sectional championships before advancing to the Super-Sectional round. The Sectional title marked the first in school history and served as a fitting finale for retiring head coach, Greg Streeval.
The Hawks fell just short of a state tournament berth, losing 2-0 to Gardner in the Super-Sectional, but the season featured numerous individual honors. Shelby Renfro earned First Team All-State recognition, while Ashley Schelling and Julia Meisenhelter were named Second Team All-State selections. Morgan Knierim received Third Team All-State honors.
Coach Streeval concluded his career with an impressive 526 high school victories.
The baseball team finished the season with an 8-19 record and earned several conference recognitions, including unanimous First Team All-Conference honors for Ted Jones. Meanwhile, the girls soccer program established new school records for wins under the leadership of Coach Rund.
Summer Projects Underway Across District
With students on summer break, custodial and maintenance staff have shifted their focus to cleaning, repairs, and facility upgrades.
District crews are completing lighting improvements in the high school and middle school gyms and preparing electrical infrastructure for new IHSA-required shot clocks. Gym floor refinishing is scheduled for July.
Summer cleaning projects are progressing at both the Macon and Blue Mound campuses, with classrooms being deep cleaned, floors refinished, and spaces prepared for the 2026-27 school year.
Professional Development Focuses on Literacy and Wellness
District educators continue to participate in summer professional development opportunities.
Teachers are engaged in a book study centered on Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth, while additional training sessions focus on educator wellness, self-care, and literacy instruction.
Elementary teachers, interventionists, and special education staff are participating in morphology training designed to strengthen vocabulary development, reading fluency, and comprehension through instruction in Greek and Latin word structures.
The district's Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) team also reported positive feedback from staff and is planning additional wellness initiatives for the coming year.
Elementary Summer Camp Serves More Than 40 Students
Meridian Elementary's summer enrichment program has attracted strong participation, with 44 students actively attending. The camp combined reading and math instruction with STEM activities and enrichment experiences centered on the theme "Under the Sea." The program was unfortunately cut short due to the recent storm damage
Elementary students also finished the school year with a successful Field Day celebration that included inflatables, a police K-9 demonstration, and attendance incentive activities. Ten students achieved perfect attendance for all four quarters of the school year.
Current elementary enrollment stands at 457 students.
Middle and High Schools Prepare for Fall
The middle school reported a projected enrollment of 192 students for the upcoming year. Student schedules and locker assignments have already been completed.
Twelve eighth-grade students participated in the annual Washington, D.C., trip earlier this month. Chaperones praised the students for their conduct and representation of the district throughout the experience.
At the high school level, attendance incentives produced notable results. It was reported that 140 students qualified to exempt at least one final exam due to strong attendance records. Preparations are also underway for incoming freshmen, with orientation activities planned for early August.
Board Reviews Budget and Fee Recommendations
Board members conducted a public hearing on the amended fiscal year 2026 budget and reviewed several financial and policy matters.
Among the recommendations presented was maintaining school fees at current levels for the 2026-27 school year. Registration, textbook, and technology fees would remain waived, continuing a practice first implemented during the 2022-23 school year.
The district also plans to continue participation in the Community Eligibility Program, allowing all students to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day.
Additional board action items included approval of policy updates, authorization of a transfer from the Hi-Tech Trust Fund to the Education Fund, and designation of a new Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund authorized agent due to the employment of Lori Huggins in the district office.
As summer activities continue across the district, administrators emphasized that preparations for the 2026-27 school year are already well underway.
"We are Meridian" remains the district's guiding message as staff, students, and community members look ahead to another year of growth and achievement.