South West Illinois News

Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board met March 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 met in the Chester Community Grade School Conference Room on March 15, 2018. President Hammel called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Debi Caraway, Tom Welge, Chuck Fricke, Mitch Hammel. Members absent: Dan Colvis, Trent Vasquez, Jamie Eggemeyer

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Welge to amend the agenda to include under the Consent Agenda the facility request of Jeremy Blechle for a 9 and under baseball team through Chester Sports the use of Juergens Gym to hold throwing/batting practice from March through June 2018. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 15, 2018, as presented. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the minutes of the executive session of February 15, 2018, as presented. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

The Board received a monthly grade school maintenance report from Tim Paulus:

• Contacted A&W Plumbing over Presidents’ Day weekend due to a gas line leak at the grade school. They came and made the necessary repairs.

• Replaced the garbage disposal in the kitchen.

• Installed padlocks on two gates to the playground to add security, per Mr. Lochhead.

• Will need to order additional valves for ventilators, they are getting old and will start to leak air and won’t operate efficiently.

The Board received a monthly high school maintenance report from Brian McMath:

• A&W replaced a water heater, expansion tank bladder, and mixing valve in the 1961 boiler room.

• Closet fire suppression system and kitchen fire suppression systems have been inspected at both the high school and grade school.

• Ordered parts and have fixed two ovens in the high school kitchen.

• Ordered and replaced two faucets in the women’s faculty bathroom.

• Water has been turned back on to the track building.

David Kaiser reported the following grade school athletic report to the Board:

• Volleyball season came to an end for 6th and 7th grades. Regionals for the 8th grade team will be held March 19 in Smithton. Chester will play Red Bud at 6:00 p.m.

• Track practices are underway. There are a total of 8 meets.

• Finalizing coaches for the 2018-19 school year.

• Finalizing schedules for the 2018-19 school year.

• The Board received a list of upcoming athletic events for the grade school.

Jeremy Blechle presented a high school athletic report to the Board of Education:

• Boys’ basketball advanced to the regional championship game but fell to AJ 54-51. The team finished with a 22-9 regular season record and a 9-3 conference record which gave them a 2nd place finish in the conference. Coach Norman and the 2017-18 Yellow Jackets also tied the single season win record with 22 wins.

• Girls’ basketball awards banquet was held on March 7 in the school cafeteria.

• Destiny Williams, Ian Reith, and Keith Kiner, III were all selected as members of the BDC All-Conference Team.

• Spring sport athlete numbers are: Softball 15; Baseball 23; Girls Track 22; Boys Track 26. 28% of our student body is participating in spring athletics.

• Chester will host the Boys’ Track & Field 1A Sectional Meet which will include 7 schools.

• Chester will also host the Girls’ Softball Class 2A Regional. Hosting postseason events is an excellent way to show other communities the great facilities that we have here in Chester, Illinois.

• Finalizing coaches for the 2018-19 school year.

• Finalizing extracurricular code of conduct update.

• Award banquets for winter sports.

• The Board received a list of upcoming athletic events for the high school.

The Board received a monthly technology report from Richard Clasen.

• E-Rate for the 2018-2019 school year.

• Received bids for firewall, content filter, and networking equipment.

The Board received a monthly curriculum report from Shirley Stegmann:

• ACT test was given on February 27 to 48 juniors. Scores are expected approximately six weeks after the testing date.

• ACCESS testing is complete. There were 22 students tested. Results typically come in at the end of the school year or early June.

• All LEP (Limited English Proficient) student data has been updated in the state student information system.

• PARCC testing is now underway.

• The IL Science Assessment must be administered by April 30 for grade 5, 8 and high school Biology I.

• All juniors will take the SAT on April 10.

• As we are in the last quarter of the school year, faculty PLC teams are continuing work on their SMART Goals. Final reports will be due by the end of the school year.

• A group of 14 faculty members is currently participating in on-site professional development at the high school.

Grade School Principal Tim Lochhead presented a monthly report to the Board:

• Parent/teacher conferences were held on February 15 and 16. 417 scheduled / 371 attended. The Board received results of a parent survey.

• The KMOV Channel 4 Storm Team was at CGS on February 22 and was very well attended.

• A drug dog was in the building on February 26.

• Police tactical exercises were held on March 3. Mr. Fricke inquired if there was any feedback from faculty and staff, and asked if a sign-out sheet was protocol so administration is able to monitor when a teacher is out of the building.

• Environmental Consultants conducted an air quality check on March 5.

• Band contests held March 10.

• Severe weather drill held March 12.

• Mr. Lochhead attended a Law Academy in Collinsville on March 14.

• PARCC testing updates.

• Judges Assembly for grades 6-8 will be held on March 23 regarding social media and internet legal obligations.

• A PTS Walk-A-Thon Kickoff Assembly will be held on April 3.

• Music contest to be held on April 6 at Marion Junior High School.

• Kids for Christ will begin on April 9.

• Pre-school screening will take place on April 10.

• The Walk-A-Thon will be held on April 18, with a rain date scheduled for April 19.

Melissa Meyer, High School Principal, reported the following to the Board of Education:

• Congratulations to the Music Department for their overall 1st Place finish at the Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 3.

• Musical Week. Please be sure to see the performance of our students.

• The agriculture program course descriptions are completed.

• Testing is underway. The new tables were a huge help.

• We are down to incoming freshmen in the scheduling process and hope to have all request in and schedules put together by the end of April.

• Local scholarships are on the website.

• AP testing is in the process of getting completed.

• CHS is donating an all-sports pass to St. Mary’s for their dinner auction and we plan to do the same for St. Johns’ in the fall.

• Semester exam dates are set for May 11 and 14 for seniors and May 18 and 21 for underclassmen.

• Prom will be held on Saturday, April 7.

• Senior Tea is Thursday, March 22.

• Judge Rudolph assemblies will be held at the high school. “7 Reasons Why to Leave a Party” and “World Wide Web”.

• Zach Zappa, Elizabeth Eubanks and Brady Kelkhoff competed in the WYSE Sectional Competition. Elizabeth Eubanks and Brady Kelkhoff have advanced to the State level being held at U of I.

Mrs. Caraway inquired about the March 14 National Walk-Out Day. Mrs. Meyer replied that students did not walk out of classrooms, but an announcement was made at the beginning of school stating that CHS joins students and teachers throughout America who our standing in solidarity with the shooting victims at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Mrs. Meyer stated that the names of the nine freshmen, five seniors, and three teachers that lost their lives that day were announced and a poem written by one of the victims shortly before his death was read, after which a moment of silence was held. Mr. Lochhead expressed that the grade school followed suit with the high school making it uniform district-wide.

Superintendent Pasero reported the following to the Board of Education:

• Mr. Pasero is recommending the Board accept a bid from Xerox that will save the district approximately $460 per month and place an additional copier at the grade school.

• Superintendent Pasero stated that administration is moving forward with the Ag program at the high school and introduced Matthew Meltzer to the Board of Education, who is being recommended for that teaching position for next school year. Mr. Pasero also expressed that there are grants available to aid in the start-up of an Agricultural Education Program.

• Mr. Pasero presented the members with a copy of a resolution eliminating township restrictions for school board elections and is requesting that the attorney verify the language prior to adoption. The deadline to file the Resolution with the County Clerk is August 2018 to be placed on the November ballot.

• Currently conducting interviews for elementary and special education positions.

• Mr. Pasero has placed the amended 2017-18 school calendar on the agenda for adoption reflecting the use of two emergency days, putting the last student attendance day on May 21 and teachers’ institute on May 22, 2018.

• The 2018-19 school calendar is also on the agenda for adoption. Mr. Pasero noted the first emergency day is on the Thursday prior to Easter and the spring parent/teacher conference date has been placed back two weeks to allow more time for those semester classes to develop.

• Tom Search from Chester Chrysler Center is proposing a new lease agreement for the driver’s education vehicle. The next vehicle will include a third row for two additional passengers.

• Mr. Pasero attended the Chester Bridge Study presentation in early March. They have narrowed their options to repair, build new upstream, or a combination.

• City Police and County Officers are stopping by both schools to be a regular presence in our buildings. We are continuing to examine safety measures and best ways to handle threats.

• We have a custodial position available and are trying to fill the vacancy.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to enter into executive session at 7:54 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Welge to return to open session at 8:57 p.m. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the district bills in the amount of $488,993.37 and the district payroll in the amount of $399,878.19. Upon roll call Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the following consent agenda items as listed. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

• Request of Chester Police Department for use of grade school facilities to conduct an active shooter training on March 3, 2018 (retroactive).

• Request of NRG “No Regular Gathering” for use of Juergens Gym on April 14, 2018 for a community outreach Glo Bingo.

• Membership and adoption of Constitution By-Laws of the Illinois High School Association for the 2018-2019 School Year.

• Adoption of the amended 2017-2018 School Calendar reflecting the use of two emergency days.

• Adoption of the 2018-2019 School Calendar with August 15, 2018 as the first day of student attendance.

• Request of Jeremy Blechle for use of Juergens Gym to hold throwing/batting practice for a 9 and under baseball team through Chester Sports from March through June 2018.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve the implementation of an Agriculture Program and corresponding courses for the 2018-2019 school year, as per the recommendation of administration. Upon roll call Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to accept the bid from Xerox and approve a lease agreement of $907.00 per month for 60 months. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve the internet service contract with Clearwave at $1,000.00 per month, pending E-Rate approval. Upon roll call Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve the wide area network contract with Clearwave at $750.00 per month, pending E-Rate approval. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the purchase of a battery backup through CDW-G, and access points and network switches through SHI in the amount of $4,750.00, pending E- Rate approval. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve the purchase of a Skyward School Accounting Program, installation, and training for $4,320.00, with a recurring yearly fee of $900.00. Upon roll call Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Welge to accept the resignation of Haley Williams as grade school cheerleading coach as of the end of the 2017-18 cheer season. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Welge to accept the resignation of Patrick Thomas as grade school evening custodian effective February 27, 2018. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Welge to accept the retirement request of Monica Gorecki as early childhood teacher in May 2021, taking part of the 6% salary increase during the final four years of employment. Upon roll call Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Fricke to employ in-house employees, Ben Hunter and Adam Guebert, to mow and weed eat at the high school during the spring and summer at $9.25 per hour, 18 hours per week. Upon roll call Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Fricke to employ Matthew Meltzer as High School Agriculture Teacher for the 2018-2019 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Welge voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve a one-year contract for David Kaiser as Grade School Assistant Principal / Athletic Director for the 2018-19 school year. Upon roll call Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve a one-year contract for Jeremy Blechle as High School Assistant Principal / Athletic Director for the 2018-19 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Welge to approve a three-year contract for Melissa Meyer as High School Principal for the 2018-19; 2019-20; and 2020-21 school years. Upon roll call Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chester Community Grade School Conference Room, 650 Opdyke Street, Chester, IL 62233.

http://www.chester139.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_105222/File/March%2015,%202018%20Regular%20Mtg%20Minutes.pdf