West Central Reporter

Meredosia-Chambersburg School District #11 Board of Education met May 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The board of education of the Meredosia-Chambersburg School District met in regular session in the board room of the Meredosia-Chambersburg School. President Brian Werries called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Roll call was taken with the following members present: Brian Werries, Alan Taylor, Jason Morton, Madeline Buhlig, Scott Gregory, Erica DeWitt, Jeff Browning was absent. Also present were Superintendent Thad Walker, Principal Jeff Abell, District bookkeeper Shari Kleinlein, Kirk Graham Christine Brant and Shirley Bilyeu.

Member Jason Morton made a motion to approve the consent agenda with corrections. Member Scott Gregory seconded the motion. By unanimous vote motion carried 6 yeas – 0 nays.

Reports:

Superintendent/Grade School Superintendent’s Report:

• We have received out last check for CPPRT, in the amount of $645,194.34. That puts the total amount received at $2,616,048.81. That is $1,316,048.00 more than we were allocated to get. It should be almost the same next year, but with a small decline. I would like to put $500,000.00 in a CD in the Education Fund.

• I will have the amended budget ready for approval at the June board meeting.

• We will have principal interviews on May 17, 2022 starting at 5pm, 6pm, 7:15pm and 8:15pm.

• The asbestos abatement will start on 6/6/2022 and will be done by 6/23/2022. I am waiting on one more bid for the grid replacement, but will have a bid approval for you on May 18th.

• I would like to hire an aid for each classroom for next year for K-5 grade. With Covid coming to an end, the realization is that our students are further behind and are in need of extra help in the classroom for academics and social/emotional help.

• I would also like to keep Ashley Sanders in her current position, and hire a replacement for Mrs. Vannier, to be hired in the June board meeting. This person would need to have work experience in the healthcare field. I already have 2 applicants without even posting the position yet.

• The elementary open house was a great success. We had over 100 people attend, we gave away some great classroom prizes, and 3 chrome books for door prizes. All of this was paid for from community outreach money set aside in the 1003A grant. We plan on doing a pre-k summer school this summer for all in coming pre-k students as well.

• We are also in the process of getting all of the school supply kits ordered for next year.

• I have got two trees ordered to be put down on the visitor side of the softball field. One will be in memory of Tinker Bader, I will have a plaque made once the trees are placed. They will be coming from Turner Tree Service.

• The crows nest has rotted floors and is not safe to be in. We would like to tear the top half off and put a roof over the existing block building for storage for the softball and little league equipment. Also we would like to remove the football light poles around the field. The conduit had to be put back on again some of them came unattached.

• Mr. Kevin Duesterhaus gave me his resignation letter, has has a replacement. Mrs. Erica DeWitt. So we will need to have two meeting on May 18th, one to seat her and then go into the regular meeting.

• Thank you to everyone who came to the retirement reception. The night went very well. We had a combined total of 134 years of experience retire. Congratulations to them and thank you for your service. • I will attach a calendar for the end of the year activities.

JH/HS Principal’s Report given by Mr. Abell:

• The high school history fair will be held on April 28th at 6:30pm in the High School Gym.

• NHS inducted two new members on Tuesday, May 3rd.

• Prom was held Friday, May 6th at Evandy’s Boatel from 6:00 – 10:00pm. A magician performed for about an hour prior to coronation.

• Our spring Music program was well attended on May 9th. Elementary from 6:30 – 7:30pm and Jr.-Sr. band from 7:30 – 8:30pm.

• Our high school students enjoyed a day of old-time baseball on May 10th. A special thanks to grill master Brian Werries for cooking lunch.

• Our DLT team continues to meet monthly, currently we are working on our School Improvement Plan goals and we have started organizing our summer school schedule.

• Our band will play in St. Louis at the City Museum on May 16th.

• HS Semester exams begin May 20th.

• Junior High/ High School awards day will be May 25th, the 8th graders will also be making a trip to Sky Zone in Springfield on May 25th.

• High School Graduation / Parade will be May 27th at 7:00pm.

• Our Instagram follows are up to 289.

Member Alan Taylor made the motion to go into Closed Session at 8:01 p.m. to discuss litigation, land acquisition, negotiations, student disciplinary cases, and to consider information regarding the appointment, employment, or dismissal of an employee or officer. Member Scott Gregory seconded the motion. Member Madeline Buhlig made the motion to return from closed session and Member Alan Taylor seconded the motion. Board returned from closed session at 8:56 p.m.

Member Jason Morton made a motion to approve moving $39,241.00 from working cash to the building fund, Member Madeline Buhlig seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Brian Werries, yea; Alan Taylor, yea; Jason Morton, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea; Erica DeWitt, yea; Scott Gregory, yea. Motion carried 6 yeas and 0 nays.

Member Madeline Buhlig made a motion to accept to approve to amend the 2021-2022 school budget, Member Alan Taylor seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Alan Taylor, yea; Jason Morton, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea; Erica Dewitt, yea; Scott Gregory, yea; Brian Werries, yea; Motion carried 6 yeas and 0 nays.

Member Erica DeWitt made a motion to approve IESA and IHSA membership fees, Member Madeline Buhlig seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Jason Morton, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea; Erica DeWitt, yea; Scott Gregory, yea; Brian Werries, yea; Alan Taylor, yea; Motion carried 6 yeas and 0 nays.

Member Madeline Buhlig made a motion to approve to accept the resignation of JH/HS Principal Jeff Abell, Member Alan Taylor seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Madeline Buhlig, yea; Erica DeWitt, yea; Scott Gregory, yea; Brian Werries, yea; Alan Taylor, yea; Jason Morton, yea; Motion carried 6 yeas and 0 nays.

Member Jason Morton made a motion to approve to accept the resignation of kindergarten teacher Victoria Knox Member Scott Gregory seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Erica DeWitt, yea; Scott Gregory, yea; Brian Werries, yea; Alan Taylor, yea; Jason Morton, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea; Motion carried 6 yeas and 0 nays.

Member Alan Taylor made a motion to approve to hire Kirk Graham as the JH/HS Principal Erica DeWitt seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Scott Gregory, yea; Brian Werries, yea; Alan Taylor, yea; Jason Morton, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea; Erica DeWitt, yea; Motion carried 6 yeas and 0 nays.

Member Jason Morton made a motion to approve Tracy Lawson and JH/HS Principal Kirk Graham to be added to school activity fund account Signature cards at PSB & T. Member Scott Gregory seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Brian Werries, yea; Alan Taylor, yea; Jason Morton, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea; Erica DeWitt, yea; Scott Gregory, yea; Motion carried 6 yeas and 0 nays.

Member Alan Taylor made a motion to approve hiring Mary Beth Hawkins as the new Kindergarten teacher Member Erica Dewitt seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Alan Taylor, yea; Jason Morton, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea; Erica DeWitt, yea; Scott Gregory, yea; Brian Werries, yea; Motion carried 6 yeas and 0 nays.

Member Madeline Buhlig made a motion to approve moving $500,000.00 from the Ed Fund to a CD or money market account Volunteer Member Scott Gregory seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Jason Morton, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea; Erica DeWitt; Scott Gregory, yea; Brian Werries, yea; Alan Taylor, yea; Motion carried 6 yeas and 0 nays.

Member Jason Morton made a motion to approve the bid from RD Lawrence for the ceiling grid work. Member Alan Taylor seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows Madeline Buhlig, yea; Erica DeWitt, yea; Scott Gregory, yea; Brian Werries, yea; Alan Taylor, yea; Jason Morton, yea; Motion carried 6 yeas and 0 nays.

Member Jason Morton made a motion to approve Cary Knox and Carol Howard as the Jr. Class sponsors for the 2022- 2023 school year Member Scott Gregory seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows Erica DeWitt, yea; Scott Gregory, yea; Brian Werries, yea; Alan Taylor, yea; Jason Morton, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea; Motion carried 6 yeas and 0 nays.

Member Erica DeWitt made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Member Jason Morton seconded the motion. By unanimous vote meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.

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