Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board met June 21.
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 June 21, 2018. President Hammel called the Amended Budget Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Dan Colvis, Debi Caraway, Chuck Fricke, Mitch Hammel. Members absent: Trent Vasquez, Tom Welge, Jamie Eggemeyer
Superintendent Pasero presented the 2017-18 amended school district budget to the Board of Education. Overall expenditures for the amended budget will reflect an increase of 1.4% compared to the originally adopted budget. Much of the increase was due to various facility repairs. Overall revenue will also reflect an increase over the original budget of 2.3%.
After review, motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to adjourn the budget hearing at 7:02 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.
President Hammel called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Members present: Dan Colvis, Debi Caraway, Chuck Fricke, Mitch Hammel. Members absent: Trent Vasquez, Tom Welge, Jamie Eggemeyer
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the agenda items as listed. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.
The Board received a thank you card from Cindy Bunselmeyer for their support during her teaching career and for the plaque she received upon her retirement. Mrs. Bunselmeyer also expressed her pleasure in working at the grade school for 34 years.
Charles Fricke addressed the Board of Education referencing the sports eligibility rule of transferring students as outlined in the SIJHSAA by-laws Article I Eligibility; Section 6 Transfers: a: If a student transfers from one school to another one, he/she shall be ineligible for a period of one calendar year unless: (2): The transfer is from a private/parochial school/homeschool to a public school or from a public school to a private/parochial school, with no residency change, and the principals of both schools involved accept the transfer, concurring that there is no evidence of recruitment in connection with the transfer. The student would be ineligible for 45 attendance days at the accepting school. The 45 attendance day period of ineligibility would start on the first day of attendance at the accepting school. Mr. Fricke expressed his opposition of the 45 day rule and requests the administration and board of education challenge the SIJHSAA ruling to be changed to reflect 21 days of ineligibility as outlined in other transfer scenarios within the by-laws.
Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 15, 2018, as presented. 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. Colvis to approve the minutes of the executive session of May 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:
• Cleaning is taking place at the school.
• The front chiller burned a 400 amp fuse while a Johnson Controls employee was diagnosing an issue with the unit kicking out all the time. A Brown Electric employee replaced the fuse and found it not to be tightened in its harness and explained since it wasn’t tightened it was probably at capacity and began an arcing process and overheated.
• Dodge truck is still needing to be replaced.
• Mr. Paulus noted he uses his personal tools at the school and understands money is tight but doesn’t feel it is fair to supply his own tools to work on school issues. The board questioned this and directed administration to look into the matter.
• Mr. Paulus cleaned all coils on the rooftop air units and replaced all the filters on the new addition. Cottonwood seeds choke up the coils and if not cleaned periodically it causes high head pressure and they will shut down.
• Several items are needed for the old mower; two new air breathers, two new mowing deck hooks, and a new battery.
• There is a leak in the 4th and 5th grade roof. It is in or around an electrical boot to the A/C unit.
The Board received a monthly high school maintenance report from Brian McMath:
• The last of the 2004 water heaters in the 1961 building finally went out. We are going to run along on two instead of three.
• A new water heater will be installed in the 1925 building within the next few weeks upgrading from the 2001 models that have started leaking.
• Jany Plumbing completed our backflow inspections for next year.
• Summer cleaning is going along smoothly again this year.
• The home economics kitchen demolition is complete. Plastering and painting will begin next.
• Working on preventative maintenance on rooftop A/C units, replacing filters, belts, etc.
David Kaiser presented the following grade school athletic report to the Board:
• Finalizing coaches for the 2018-19 school year.
• Ordering athletic supplies for the 2018-19 school year.
The Board received a monthly high school athletic report from Jeremy Blechle:
• Softball ended the season with a final record of 12-17. They lost to Sparta in the regional tournament. Miah Mitchell and Carlee Weir were both selected for the All-Conference team. Miah Mitchell was also selected as an All-South and All-State softball player.
• Baseball ended the season with a record of 7-15. They lost to DuQuoin in the semi-final round of the regionals. Curt Meyer and Nick Meyer were both named to the BDC All-Conference team. Nick Meyer was also named to the All-South baseball team.
• Boys track finished 6th in the sectional meet. Unfortunately, we did not have any male track members qualify for the state meet. Lance Bohnert, Mitchell Colonel, Ronin Doiron and Zach Zappa were all named to the BDC All-Conference track & field team.
• Girls track finished the season by placing third in the sectionals. Emma Bauer, Ashtyn Jany, Katie Hoffman, Jessica Kattenbraker and Abby Myers all qualified for the state meet. Emma Bauer, Taylor Dunning, Taylor Hennrich, Katie Hoffman, Maddie Hoffman, Tayler Howie, Ashtyn Jany, Jessica Kattenbraker, Jose Kattenbraker, Elyzabeth Mitchell, Abby Myers, Avery Runge and Lauren Soellner have all been named to the BDC All-Conference team. Abby Myers was also named to the All-South team.
• CHS athletics will be hosting 4 youth camps this summer. The camps will be in the areas of football, volleyball, girls’ basketball and boys’ basketball, who held their camp earlier this week and had approximately 70 participants.
• Free sports physicals will be given at Chester Clinic on July 21 from 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Richard Clasen presented a monthly technology report:
• Mr. Clasen asked for 100 surplus government laptops for free and Computers for Learning approved the request. Thank you to Gilster Mary Lee for transporting them from Chicago. We will be replacing the 2009 computers with them. A lot of the 2009 computers were bought with stimulus funds. Hoping to purchase 50 SSD drives at $35 each to help with a faster login.
• E-rate has approved our request for a firewall, UPS, 3 wireless access points, 200 meg internet connection, and 100 meg wide area network connection. It was approved at an 80% discount rate. The district will receive $21,084 in grant funding. The next E-rate form will be filed at the end of June and we will then need to file a reimbursement form in July 2019.
• Will be installing a firewall in early July so the network will be down for a day or more. Mr. Clasen will be reorganizing and cleaning up virtual networks and making them bigger for room to grow. Passwords for the wireless networks will be changed and networks will be more secure, but anyone can connect to the guest network. The guest network is firewalled from the rest of the school and only has internet access.
Mr. Kaiser presented the Grade School Principals report on behalf of Mr. Lochhead:
• Spirit games were held on May 17.
• 8th grade graduation was held on May 17. Thank you to Mrs. Caraway and Mr. Fricke for attending the ceremony and handing out certificates.
• A faculty meeting was held on May 21.
• A teacher Institute was held on May 22.
• Retirement event held on May 22 at the grade school for retiring employees.
• An administrator meeting was held on May 24.
• Chester police held an active shooter training on June 15 & 16.
• A tree that was recently planted in front of the grade school has died but will be replaced at no charge.
• Pre-K / Birth to age 3 grant update. The Parental Initiative grant for next year was not approved.
• Plans are in progress for the fitness trail at the grade school.
• Theme for next school year - “TEAM” (Together Everyone Achieves More)
• Registration will be held July 30- August 1
• The office will be closed on July 5 and 6 for office cleaning.
• New Teacher Orientation - TBA
Mrs. Meyer, High School Principal, reported the following to the Board of Education:
• The handbook committee finished their work with the CHS Student/Parent Handbook.
• Schedules are almost complete.
• State reports are being compiled to be submitted by the deadline.
• The custodians are hard at work doing the summer cleaning.
• We have begun the interviewing process for the Social Science position.
• Free sports physicals at Chester Clinic on July 21.
• Registration dates are July 30, July 31 and August 1.
Superintendent Pasero reported the following to the Board of Education:
• FOIA request: Released NHS faculty committee names to Jana South.
• Finished our Title Plan for 2018-19. Currently updating the school-wide grade school plan to be approved in July.
• Walking/fitness trail update: Baysinger Architects and Red Dot Construction will need to look at the area behind the grade school. There will need to be some groundwork completed due to settling after the water remediation drains were put in.
• After receiving information from Mr. Kaiser, Superintendent Pasero reported there would be an approximate cost to the district of $16,600 should the board decide to provide transportation to athletic events next year based on the 2018-19 schedules. The superintendent apprised the members the district will be about $100,000 short in the transportation fund this year unless the district receives another payment, in which case it would be approximately $40,000 short. The superintendent was directed to place grade school athletic transportation on the agenda for July.
• Mr. Pasero informed the board due to a winter freeze much of the grass on the football field has died. Mr. Pasero has been in contact with Brad Kueker discussing options, such as a Blu-Muda grass that would give the benefit of being successful in both cool and hot weather at approximately half the cost of re-sprigging with Bermuda grass and would be applied in late August. The board inquired about Astroturf and the possibility of speaking with the new agriculture teacher for ideas. Mr. Colvis suggested utilizing the building and grounds committee to help explore options.
• Superintendent Pasero is recommending any future raises be placed on the non-certified base starting pay to help attract and keep employees.
• The Board received a copy of the Chester Chrysler lease agreement for the driver’s education car to review prior to the July meeting when the superintendent will be recommending approval.
• Mr. Pasero apprised the board that originally plans were to abate the levies for all four bonds that the district currently makes payments on. Because the initial 2016 extension reports were incorrect, he has asked that only three be abated and to extend the taxes on the 2009 G.O. bond (approximately $304,000) to make certain funds are available for next year’s bond payments.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to enter into executive session at 7:47 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, 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 return to open session at 8:21 p.m. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis 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 the district bills in the amount of $724,840.92 and the district payroll in the amount of $395,152.14. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the consent agenda as presented. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.
• CHS Lady Jacket Summer Basketball Camp to be held at the grade school June 25-28 for girls entering 3-8 grade.
• 5-8th grade girls’ volleyball camp to be held at CGS on July 11-13 hosted by the CHS volleyball team.
• NRG to use the football field for a movie night fundraiser on July 14; proceeds going to CHS (rain date of July 21).
• CHS to perform musicals each year, rather than every other. Live music will be performed every other year.
• Theater costumes designated surplus personal inventory, permitting the theater department to begin selling.
• Registration dates scheduled for the 2018-19 school year:
o Monday, July 30. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
o Tuesday, July 31. 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
o Wednesday, August 1. 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
•Registration fees, class fees, and meal prices set for the 2018-19 school year:
Registration Fees:
o Early Childhood. $32.00
o Grades K-8. $50.00
o Grades 9-12. $80.00 (flat fee)
HS Additional Fees:.Drivers Education. $75.00
Rhet/Comp 1 & Rhet/Comp 2. $45.00 (dual credit class)
Parking. $15.00
o Athletic Fee: (Districtwide).$40.00 per athlete, per sport
Meal Prices:
o Breakfast.Students.$1.00
Adults.$1.50
o Lunch.K-6.$2.00
7 & 8.$2.20
HS.$2.35
Adults.$2.85
o Milk.$.40
• Addition of a high school Culinary Arts class for the 2018-19 school year.
• Name change of high school activity account 235 from “Miscellaneous Teacher” to “English Department”.
•Name change of high school activity account 258 from “Soda” to “Supplemental Activities”.
• Adopt Prevailing Rate of Wages Resolution for the 2018-19 School Year.
After conducting the second reading of the Section 504 Handbook, a motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the Section 504 Handbook as presented. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.
After holding the second reading, a motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve the 2018-19 Grade School Student/Parent Handbook as presented. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to conduct and approve the first reading of the 2018-19 High School Student/Parent Handbook. 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. Colvis to adopt the amended budget of Chester Community Unit School District 139 for the 2017-18 school year as presented by Superintendent Pasero. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Colvis 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 accept the $250.00 offer from New Athens School District for the districts old pole vault pads and standards. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.
The Board tabled the motion for repair of the football field to allow the building and grounds committee to meet and explore options.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Colvis to accept the letter of resignation of Adam Gibbs as high school varsity volleyball coach effective immediately. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to accept the letter of resignation of Jim Kowzan as high school social science teacher and head baseball coach effective immediately. 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. Colvis to accept the letter of resignation of Allison Petrowske as a paraprofessional effective May 21, 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. Colvis to approve a resolution to honorably dismiss Lindsey Hargis, Parental Training Coordinator, effective July 21, 2018, due to lack of grant funds. Upon roll call Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Colvis 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 approve coaches and volunteers for the 2018- 19 school year as recommended. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.
• Mandy Lochhead. HS Head Cheerleading Coach
• Paige Davitz. HS Assistant Cheerleading Coach, pending ASEP certification and fingerprinting
• Rachel Marshall. High School Cheerleading Volunteer
• Michelle Rust. High School Cheerleading Volunteer
• Boyd Miles. HS Football Volunteer
• Christian Gray. HS Football Volunteer, pending fingerprinting
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve one (1) additional hour per week for the high school head cook to complete administrative duties and paperwork. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Colvis 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. Colvis to set Brian McMath’s hourly rate as high school head custodian at $17.02 for the 2018-19 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted nay, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 3 yea, 1 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Colvis to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 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, July 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/June%2021,%202018%20Regular%20Mtg%20Minutes.pdf
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