South West Illinois News

Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board met May 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

President Hammel called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Dan Colvis, Trent Vasquez, Debi Caraway, Tom Welge, Chuck Fricke, Jamie Eggemeyer, Mitch Hammel.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Colvis to amend the agenda to include the request for approval of a 2018 Jackets Football Camp under New Business and to accept the agenda as amended. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Frankie Eggemeyer Veath addressed the Board of Education on behalf of the Mississippi Valley Art Guild. She expressed the committee’s interest in providing lessons in art and crafts for students at a cost of $15, aware that art is not part of the curriculum, thus giving students the opportunity should they be interested.

Nancy Crossland addressed the Board with concerns about their decision of not providing transportation to sporting events for junior high students. Although Mrs. Crossland understands budget constraints, she feels this is a liability and a great responsibility placed on working parents, as well as on athletes, to find rides to and from these events. Mrs. Crossland commented that she also feels this has kept students from participating. Mrs. Crossland is asking the Board to reconsider their decision of not providing athletic transportation at the junior high level.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 19, 2018, as presented. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve the minutes of the executive session of April 19, 2018, as presented. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Grade School Maintenance Report - Mr. Paulus:

• Johnson Controls made repairs on our pneumatic control box in the boiler room.

• Landscaping has been completed in front of the school.

• The gas department was called due to the landscapers bumping the earthquake valve on the high-pressure gas line, shutting the gas off to the building. They showed Mr. Paulus how to fix it in the event it should happen again.

• This is a good time to remind everyone about leaving fans and ventilators on in the building.

• Mr. Paulus will soon be submitting summer cleaning orders.

High School Maintenance Report - Mr. McMath:

• The water has been turned on to the football field and irrigation system.

• Irrigation heads and out of bounds markers were marked for Kueker’s to deep tine the football field on April 20.

• Preparing a summer list of supplies and maintenance projects.

Grade School Athletic Report - Mr. Kaiser:

• The track season is complete. There were a total of eight meets. Our track regional was held May 1st at DuQuoin.

• Congratulations to the boys’ track and field members who competed at the state track meet. The athletes walked away with 11 medals. Jacob Cowell competed in pole vault. Aiden Jany finished 8th in the 100 meter dash and 2nd in the 400 meter dash, breaking the state record and setting a new school record with a time of

52.75 seconds. Dylan Kelkhoff placed 8th in high jump. The 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams made up of Kole Sumpter, Dylan Kelkhoff, Jared Landeros and Aiden Jany finished in the top 5 in both relays. The 4x100 meter relay set a new school record of 48.68 seconds and the 4x200 relay broke the school record with a time of 1:41:19.

• Still finalizing coaches for the 2018-19 school year.

• Finalizing inventory and ordering athletic supplies for the upcoming school year.

High School Athletic Report - Mr. Blechle:

• The track season is coming to a close. So far the girls and boys teams have both performed very well. Girls have taken first place in 5 meets. They also won the BDC conference for the 8th straight year. Boys are young but very competitive. They won the Rocky Bridges Relay and have placed in the top half of many other meets.

• The softball team record is currently 10-15 and 4-2 in the conference. This team is young and learning more and more every day. Seniors, Karson Colvis and Miah Mitchell, participated in senior day activities. CHS will be hosting the 2A Regional softball games at Cohen Complex on May 15 and the championship on May 19.

• The baseball team record is currently 6-12 and 2-4 in the conference. The baseball team received a 9th place seed in the regional and will take on ZR. This team is young and improving every day.

• Coach Norman and the boys’ basketball team will be hosting a kid’s camp June 18-20 and a Kings of the Court 5 on 5 tournament on June 3.

• Working on IHSA compliance and code updating.

• Surveying coaches on areas for improvement relating to facility, equipment, and the AD.

• Storage room cleanup phase II.

• The Board received coaches’ summaries.

Technology Report - Mr. Clasen.

• We purchased most of our 65 Smart Boards in 2007-2008-2009. A survey was sent out to teachers to see how many are needing a replacement. About one-third of them say the board touch sensitivity is bad or going bad. Only 8 have been replaced the last couple of years. We need to begin replacing most of them over the next few years. I would like to start in the lower grades and work my way up to high school. Smart is offering a trade-in program for $1300, the normal cost is $2100 for a new board. We also have a few projectors that are no longer very bright. I would like to replace 7 of them in the 2018-2019 school year and 7 more the following school year. These projectors were bought in 2007-2009.

• 130 Chromebooks were bought in the 2013-2014 school year, most are in bad shape and I would like to replace them for next school year. The batteries are weak and the wear and tear on the keyboard and mice make them hard to use. I would say normal lifespan is about 4 years. I would like to purchase 150 new Chromebooks and would also like to add a mobile lab to 3rd grade.

• We recently had a high school office computer with a failing hard drive, it was bought in 2012. We bought 4 new computers to replace computers in the grade school and high school offices bought in 2011 and 2012. The rest of the office computers were purchased in 2015-2017

• I went to a K12 data security conference hosted by Illinois Learning Technology Center. One item discussed was the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. I would like to spend a few hours with office staff this summer to review this law. This will include how to backup data, who can have access to it, and best practices for security. One main topic was crypto/ransomware viruses.

Mr. Vasquez questioned all the purchases Mr. Clasen is proposing. Superintendent Pasero commented this was more of a wish list, and explained that certain items could possibly be purchased with Title monies.

Curriculum Report - Mrs. Stegmann:

• All PARCC paper testing materials were shipped out by April 20. Mrs. Stegmann began working on the PARCC Corrections in SIS the week of May 13.

• All ISA (Illinois Science Assessment) tests were completed by the end of April. Mrs. Stegmann has begun working on the ISA Corrections.

• We had 22 students take the ACCESS test, and based on the preliminary scores report, one student has reached proficiency status and will no longer be LEP (Limited English Proficient).

• PLCs are working on their end of year reports and will submit these to me by the last day of school.

• Mrs. Stegmann is working with Marybeth McCormick from ROE 45 to provide an opportunity for professional development again this summer. Teachers who choose to participate will be able to earn professional development hours for curriculum and assessment development / alignment. Teachers will select to earn either 6 PD hours, 13 PD hours, or 18 PD hours.

Grade School Principal’s Report - Mr. Lochhead:

• Mr. Lochhead introduced Amy Miller to the Board of Education. Administration is recommending Mrs. Miller for the special education position for the 2018-19 school year.

• The Young Authors Conference was held at the grade school on April 21. Mr. Lochhead communicated that it was a big success and expressed his thanks and appreciation to Tammy Cowan, who was in charge of the event.

• Kids for Christ was held April 23 and 30.

• The Spring Concert was held on April 25.

• A handbook meeting was held on April 30 and May 7.

• An assembly, “Underage Drinking”, sponsored by area judges, was held on May 4.

• May 7-14 was Teacher Appreciation Week. Events included homemade cookies by Kristy’s Cookies; lunch provided by First Baptist Church; received CGS notebooks and a Reids’ Potato Bar.

• Graduation practice was held on May 15. Graduation will be held on May 17 in Colbert Gym at 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Caraway will be representing the Board.

• Pre-grant possibilities.

• 8th Grade will travel to Six Flags on May 16.

• Spirit Games will be held on May 17.

• The last day of school for students is May 21.

• Teacher Institute is May 22.

• Mr. Lochhead presented Board members with a 2017-18 yearbook and a CGS notebook.

High School Principal’s Report - Mrs. Meyer:

• College Signing Day went well. Plans to change the name next year to Decision Day.

• Judge Rudolph, Judge Emge, and Judge O’Gara gave the presentation “World Wide Web” on April 27.

• Mr. Guebert and Mrs. Meyer took the following six students to the Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievers Banquet in Carbondale on May 1. Mitchell Colonel, Taylor Dunning, Elizabeth Eubanks, Tayler Howie, Jessica Kattenbraker and Zachary Zappa.

• AP testing is underway.

• The Spring Concert was held May 8. It was a wonderful program.

• Honors Night was held May 9. Mrs. Meyer is extremely proud of all the students, but seeing everyone who was recognized for their achievements was quite overwhelming.

• A big thank you to the First Baptist Church for lunch they provided on Wednesday, May 9.

• A Reids’ Potato Bar was provided to staff on May 11 during Teacher Appreciation Week.

• Senior finals are Friday, May 11 and Monday, May 14.

• Underclassman finals are May 18 and 21.

• Graduation practice will be held at 2:00 p.m. on May 17. Graduation will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 20 in Colbert Gym. Mr. Colvis and Mr. Vasquez will be representing the Board.

Superintendent’s Report - Mr. Pasero:

• The Wellness Policy Committee met on April 26; the wellness plan must be updated every three years. The committee identified classrooms that share the information contained in the plan, developed some specific strategies to make students and families more aware of the school lunch and breakfast program that is available, and will do some refining on the evaluation section.

• FOIA Requests:

oBelleville News Democrat: School Resource Officer Information – N/A

oMrs. South: Members of NHS Faculty Council – denied on April 26

oBallot Ready Organization: Board member information, board elections, superintendent contract – responded May 7

• A hearing for the amended budget will be held on June 21 at 7:00 p.m., directly followed by the regular meeting. Mr. Pasero commented that the district has received approximately 90% of revenue and expenditures are roughly at 85% to date.

• Mr. Pasero granted permission for the city to access their gas line at the north end of the grade school campus so they could provide gas to their generator for the water tower.

• Superintendent Pasero met with SWIBCO on June 10 to discuss the transportation contract and agreed to an 8 cent per mile increase (3.13%).

• Attended a Response Driven Accountability Cohort meeting in Carterville. A plan was put in place to increase time and assessment in mathematics for our lower grades in an effort to increase our success levels in math and provide more opportunities for regular education instruction time for students with IEPs.

• Attended the Making Science Connection presentation. Two of our teachers, Mrs. Howie and Mrs. Martinez, are participating in the professional development grant opportunity.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Welge to enter into executive session at 7:26 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Upon roll call Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Eggemeyer to return to open session at 9:16 p.m. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Mrs. Caraway inquired about the outcome of the recent audit of the lunch program. Superintendent Pasero received a follow up from ISBE that the grade school was cited for one day for not serving the correct components to qualify for a reimbursable meal during lunch. ISBE has decided to conduct another audit during the 2018-19 school year. Mr. Pasero has discussed this with staff and has made arrangements for personnel to receive training and instruction regarding the regulations and guidelines of the program.

Motion was made by Mr. Eggemeyer and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the district bills in the amount of $220,447.63 and the district payroll in the amount of $405,588.59. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and, seconded by Mr. Welge to approve Brad Norman’s request for the boys’ basketball team to attend the Rib City Shootout in Dexter, MO on June 15 and 16, 2018. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Colvis to schedule a hearing on June 21, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. to present the 2017-18 amended budget, followed directly by the regular meeting of the Board. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Eggemeyer to conduct and approve the first reading of the Section 504 Handbook as presented by Mrs. Meyer. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Eggemeyer and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to conduct and approve the first reading of the 2018-19 Grade School Student/Parent Handbook as presented. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Superintendent Pasero presented the proposal by SWIBCO for transportation for the 2018-19 school year, reflecting an increase of regular transportation from $2.55 to $2.63 per mile. Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to accept the one-year extension with SWIBCO during the 2018-19 school year for regular, special education, Title and extra-curricular transportation, as recommended by Mr. Pasero. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Eggemeyer to approve the request of Billy Belton to hold a 2018 Jackets Football Camp for ages 5-14 on July 19 and 20, 2018. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Welge to employ Connie Clendenin as grade school head track coach, retroactive to April 16 through the remainder of the 2018 season, at a rate according to the current association contract, prorated at 46%. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Welge to approve the FMLA request of Tammy Grah, beginning April 20, 2018. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to accept the resignation of Kristin Petrowske as high school prom sponsor, effective immediately. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Eggemeyer and seconded by Mr. Welge to accept the resignation of Jennifer Bert as high school cafeteria aide, effective May 22, 2018. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to employ Luke Lochhead as 8th grade girls’ basketball coach for the 2018-19 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Welge to employ Ashley Lochhead as 7th grade girls’ basketball coach for the 2018-19 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to employ Amy Miller as special education teacher for the 2018-19 school year as recommended by administration. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to employ Melissa Duncan, contingent upon receiving the grant, as a preventative initiative home visitor for the 2018-19 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Eggemeyer voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried

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