Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board met February 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 February 15, 2018. President Welge called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Dan Colvis, Trent Vasquez, Debi Caraway, Jamie Eggemeyer, Tom Welge. Members absent: Chuck Fricke, Mitch Hammel
Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve the agenda items as listed. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 18, 2018, as presented. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Eggemeyer to approve the minutes of the executive session of January 18, 2018, as presented. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
The Board received a monthly grade school maintenance report from Tim Paulus:
• Commercial kitchen services has been here twice to work on our 2 hydro-vection ovens.
• Brown Electric came to look at our highway traffic light. It has been intermittent at times on the town side of school.
• Replacing the two ceiling fans in the library.
• Received our RIM ice melt from Brian McMath. He ordered ours and his at the same time. We work well together.
• I had to order a new disposal for the kitchen.
• One more day at high school and pads should be done.
• Mrs. Caraway, thank you for the kind note about the new tile floor. I still need a threshold for the board room.
• I had to drill 10’’ into the condensation drain in room 230. The kids stuffed it with mud, rocks, and wood chips.
The Board received a monthly high school maintenance report from Brian McMath:
• A water heater is down in the 1962 building and another one is acting up.
• The water heaters in the 1925 building are leaking and need to be replaced over the summer break. These water heaters are 17 years old.
• Having problems with the new heat and A/C units for the science rooms. Called TMI and they are working on a solution, possibly needing a new compressor, but should be under warranty.
• Door handles and locks are worn out in the entire building and need to be addressed.
• The walk-in freezer has a slow leak.
David Kaiser reported the following grade school athletic report to the Board:
• Volleyball games are underway. There are 18 volleyball games and 2 tournaments at each grade level.
• Track will begin in March.
• Closing out inventory on uniforms for fall and winter sports.
• Preparing for the 2018-19 school year.
Jeremy Blechle presented a high school athletic report to the Board of Education:
• As of this writing, boys’ basketball have a record of 15-8 (5-3 conference). The team received a #5 seed for the regional tournament that will be held in Johnston City.
• Girls’ basketball have a record of 9-17 (4-8 conference). The girls received a #9 seed in their regional and fell to Du Quoin in the first round.
• Cheer camp was held last week with 115 attending. It was a major success.
• The dance team performed their last time of the year featuring a unique dance that included creative clowns.
• The indoor track season has begun.
• Spring schedules are complete and all umpires are hired. Softball has 35 games scheduled, baseball 30 and track 20 has meets scheduled.
• Protective mats were ordered to cover and protect our new wall mats in Colbert Gym and will be installed after the completion of the basketball season.
• Working on summer gym schedules.
• Collecting inventory from all sports.
• Award banquets held for winter sports.
The Board received a monthly technology report from Richard Clasen.
• E-Rate form 470 has been filed for grant funding for the 2018-19 school year.
• Most of the district’s wireless access points are on their last year of supported updates. We will need to start replacing them during the 2019-2020 school year.
• Replaced 16 computers in Mrs. Coop’s room with OKAW funds. The old computers were moved to Ms. Stellhorns’ classroom.
• Will need to begin replacing chromebooks that will be 5 years old at the end of this school year, as well as IPads that will be 6 years old.
• Migrating all computers to Windows 10 version 1709.
• Needing to sign a contract for a site to site fiber/wan connection. E-Rate 471 will pay a good percentage of the costs, the deadline to file is March 22.
The Board received a monthly curriculum report from Shirley Stegmann:
• There are 14 teachers participating in the Spring on Site Professional Development at the high school.
• The 2017 IL Science Assessment scores are now available.
• January through the end of April is a very busy time for district assessments and planning.
o ACCESS - Jan. 17 - Feb. 20, 2018 *All LEP students
o ACT - Feb. 27th *11th graders (who signed up)
o PARCC - Mar. 5 - April 20, 2018 *Grades 3 - 8
o SAT - April 10, 2018 *All 11th graders
o ISA (IL Science Assessment): Mar. 1 - Apr 30, 2018 *Grades 5, 8 and HS Bio 1 will test
o DLM-AA (Dynamic Learning Maps - Alternate Assessment): Mar 14 - May 9, 2018
o PreACT - (Date to be determined, but planning in middle to end of April)
Grade School Principal Tim Lochhead presented a monthly report to the Board:
• Star Stinger Assembly held January 18-19.
• KMOV Schedule
• Jostens fitted our 8th grade students for graduation gowns on January 23.
• Donations received at the visitation and funeral of Pete Hittmeier will be used for “Pete’s Poetry Cart”.
• Attended ESSA Conference in Chicago February 11-14.
• Parent/teacher conferences held February 15-16.
• KMOV Storm Mode will be airing weather reports live from the grade school on February 22.
• Landscaping update.
Melissa Meyer, High School Principal, reported the following to the Board of Education:
• Congratulations to the February Elks Students of the Month, Abigail Myers and Jacob Hoffman.
• WYSE Team competed at Regionals on February 2.
o Brady Kelkhoff received 2nd place in Chemistry, Elizabeth Eubanks and Zach Zappa tied for 2nd place in Biology. Zach Zappa also received 2nd place in Physics. These students have advanced to the Sectionals on March 12.
o Autumn Rowold received 3rd place in English.
• Scholar Bowl competed in the Conference match on February 5.
• Evaluations are wrapping up.
• Mr. Guebert is almost done with current students’ schedules. He will begin with the incoming freshmen soon.
• Parent/teacher conferences.
• CHS Blood Drive held February 14. Approximately 52 units were donated.
• ACT will be administered on February 27.
• CHS Musical will be held March 15, 16, 17 and 18.
Mr. Welge inquired about student attendance, asking if there had been a high number of absences due to flu season. Both principals commented there were days attendance was slightly higher, but nothing to be alarmed about at this time. They are making sure the buildings are being wiped down and cleaned each evening in hopes of limiting the spread of any illness.
Superintendent Pasero reported the following to the Board of Education:
• Mr. Pasero briefed the Board on the settlement proposal regarding the assessment appeal of Manor at Craig Farms.
• IL State Science Assessment results:
• Shows progress in Grade School
• High School Biology exam, a mix of student ages
• Mr. Pasero is currently drawing up a Resolution to eliminate township restrictions for school board elections. The deadline to file the Resolution with the County Clerk is August to be placed on the November 2018 ballot.
• Mr. Pasero is moving forward with the Ag applicants and the transition into this program at the high school, and is expecting to make a recommendation at the March meeting. Discussion was held regarding possible grants to help fund the program.
• At the previous meeting it was suggested transportation not be provided for certain extra-curricular events when a majority of the time the bus returns home empty because students ride back with their parents. After considering this suggestion, Mr. Pasero stated he felt it best not to classify what groups will and will not be provided transportation. He also stated he didn’t want to create a scenario where the district worried about student’s driving themselves to events.
• Mr. Pasero posted for an elementary, special education and two preventative initiative grant positions for next school year.
• Administration will have one or two interested staff members mow the high school lawn after school hours and throughout the summer. This would likely cut the overall cost in half.
• Grade School graduation is scheduled for Thursday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m.
• High School graduation is scheduled for Sunday, May 20 at 3:00 p.m.
• Mr. Pasero is reviewing the wellness policy and will present any updates to the Board in March.
• The Board was briefed on the Audit Adjustments Summary Report from ISBE regarding the recent Federal and State Monitoring visit.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to enter into executive session at 7:28 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to return to open session at 8:00 p.m. Upon roll call Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Eggemeyer to approve the district bills in the amount of $469,796.15 and the district payroll in the amount of $415,942.65. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
After conducting the second reading, motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Eggemeyer to adopt the attached Board policies as recommended by administration. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Eggemeyer to approve the request of the High School Sting Staff to hold a laser tag fundraiser in Juergens Gym with a date to be determined. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Eggemeyer and seconded by Mr. Colvis to accept the settlement proposal, as stated in the resolution, from the State’s Attorney’s Office on the assessment appeal of Manor at Craig Farms. Upon roll call Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Eggemeyer to employ Jade Jolley as grade school head track coach for the 2016-17 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Eggemeyer to employ Ariel Gales as grade school assistant track coach for the 2016-17 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Eggemeyer to accept the resignation of Rachel Marshall as high school head cheerleading coach effective immediately. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried. Mr. Colvis expressed that both Mrs. Marshall and Ms. Rust did excellent jobs as cheerleading coaches.
Motion was made by Mr. Eggemeyer and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to accept the resignation of Michelle Rust as high school assistant cheerleading coach effective immediately. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Eggemeyer and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve the maternity request of Lindsey Hargis through FMLA effective May 2, 2018, and returning in August when school resumes. Upon roll call Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the FMLA request of Sara Hammel beginning January 18, 2018, for approximately 3-4 weeks. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Eggemeyer to approve the FMLA request of Kristen Petrowske beginning January 26, 2018, for approximately 2 weeks. Upon roll call Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Eggemeyer and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to accept the letter of intent to retire from Sonya Wingerter at the conclusion of the 2018-2019 school year taking advantage of the 6% salary increase during her final year of employment. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Eggemeyer and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to accept the letter of intent to retire from Jim Howie at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year taking advantage of the 6% salary increase during the final four years of employment. Upon roll call Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Eggemeyer and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to accept the letter of intent to retire from Tara Knop at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year taking advantage of the 6% salary increase during the final four years of employment. Upon roll call Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Eggemeyer and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 5 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent; motion carried.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Thursday, March 15, 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/February%2015,%202018%20Regular%20Mtg%20Minutes.pdf
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