The Taylorville School Board of Education met for their final regular meeting for the summer before students returned to classrooms. The Taylorville FFA was honored, new Board Treasurer, Courtney Sharp, was appointed and Superintendent Brandi Bruley gave performance goals heading into the 2024-2025 school year.
Sue Schafer, Taylorville's Future Farmers of America Advisor brought along four FFA members and they spoke about their recent success and involvement in community service and livestock showing.
Superintendent Bruley provided the board with a packet of her goals for the district, speaking briefly of its contents.
Board Member Lori Wemple spoke on the NPT (Nokomis, Pana, Taylorville) Special Education class and said the group looks forward to a great year.
Public comments saw Ashley Peden, a resident of Stonington and a parent of a student in the school district. Peden brought forward an alleged assault off school grounds at the after school bus stop on February 1st, 2024. Peden believes acts were committed against her child regarding bullying, intimidation, and sexual harassment. Peden sought answers for why the student is still attending school and retribution for her child.
Peden concluded that she spoke Tuesday night to advocate for students' safety. This is an active investigation conducted by Zone 4 investigations led by Officer Jordan Adams.
New business involved the presentation of the FY25 tentative budget which will be seen again in a public budget hearing on September 10th at 5:45 p.m. and the board meeting following will seek approval for the budget. The accelerated placement plan, superintendent goals, and renewal of district health care were all approved. Using $95,000 to repair the HVAC system at North School was approved with Board Member Tom Finks abstaining, requesting a Zoom meeting with the contractors to clarify before the money is spent, Superintendent Bruley said she would set that meeting up.
All board members were present and the next Taylorville School Board meeting is set for Tuesday, September 10th.
