South West Illinois News

Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board of Education met Nov. 19.

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 November 19, 2019. President Hammel called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Dan Colvis, Trent Vasquez, Debi Caraway, Tom Welge, Lorin Mott, Mitch Hammel. Members absent: Charles Fricke

A motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the agenda and items listed as presented. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

No public comment was presented.

President Hammel read a thank you card received by Mr. Blechle from Whitney Hopkins, wife of Officer Nick Hopkins, for coming together and supporting their family with a donation collected during a football game honoring Officer Hopkins.

Keith Brinkman of Scheffel-Boyle, along with his staff, presented the FY19 district audit report to the Board of Education. (a) Fund Accounting changes were presented for FY19; (b) Findings were presented, including being over budget in three areas and having an incorrect classification for an employee; (c) The process of auditing a school district was presented, noting that this was the firm’s first year with Chester 139, adding a significant number of hours to make certain compliance areas were all met.

Grade School Maintenance Report:

 Truck and plow are working great. Mrs. Caraway asked that an emblem be placed on the side of the truck similar to the truck at the high school.

 Ameren replaced floodlights with LED.

 The flashing traffic light is now working.

 Korando Heating & Cooling removed the old furnace and air conditioner and replaced it in room 222.

 Filters for the air handler have been replaced.

 Since the removal of the shroud on the photocell on the gym, the parking lights appear to be going off at an appropriate time.

 Ordered 4 parking blocks to deter people from driving through the yard by the Popeye statue.

High School Maintenance Report:

 Replaced a pump on the main boiler, plus 3 burners.

 The winterizing on the football field shed and irrigation system is complete.

 The track building has been winterized as well.

 The water has been turned off on both the track and football field.

 Fixing a leak in the walk-in freezer.

Grade School Athletic Report:

 Boys and girls basketball games have begun. The boys have already played 12 and the girls 9.

 5th and 6th grade basketball has started with open gyms. Games will begin towards the end of November, early December.

 Attended the SIJHSAA Board of Control meeting on October 23 in Mt. Vernon. Nothing major was changed as far as bylaws. There were some rule updates with track and field scoring; requirements were discussed on regional hosts; and talk about beginning boys and girls golf at the junior high level.

 Mr. Colvis inquired of the possibility of CGS hosting a tournament for boys basketball. Mr. Kaiser can look into this, but there is a maximum of games played and tournaments allowed each year.

 The board received a schedule of upcoming athletic events.

High School Athletic Report:

 Volleyball lost in the first round of the Regionals falling to Trico. They finished with an overall record of 18-15. They have already held their awards banquet. Josie Kattenbraker and Kendall Williams made All-Conference.

 Football finished with a record of 7-3. Their season ended in the first round of the playoffs with a loss to Auburn. All-Conference award winners were Jacob Miller, Ethan Bert, Ian Reith, Ethen Eggemeyer, Nate Heffernan, Tyler Holm, Jordan Merideth, Brendan Murphy, Caleb Parker, and Isaac Jany. Eathan Bert was named All-Conference Offensive Captain. They have already held their awards banquet.

 Basketball practice has begun. Boys have 22 and girls have 17 athletes participating this year. Pocket calendars have been printed and distributed.

 In the process of hiring officials for Fall of 2020. Confirming dates and opponents for Spring sports.

 Jarrett James finished 12th overall in Class 1A State for Golf. Golf has already held their awards banquet.

 In cross-country, Trent Bierman advanced to run sectionals, but did not advance to state.

 Recently attended the IHSA Town Hall meeting.

 Working on coaching evaluations.

 Preparing for the CIT and LJMWC.

Curriculum Report:

 Updated user accounts in PAN.

 Mr. Guebert and Mrs. Stegmann has been working on entering score results data into Skyward for the ISA. Mrs. Stegmann is also working on entering results for the IAR. Mr. Guebert has already entered the PSAT and SAT data for the 2018-19 school year.

 Beginning the process of entering IEP and ELL accommodations for ACCESS for ELL, IAR, ISA, PSAT and SAT.

 The math department met on November 8.

 Department meetings are complete, with the exception of Spanish and PE.

 On November 8, Mrs. Wingerter and Mrs. Gonzalez facilitated a presentation on Think Central for our Go Math Curriculum, giving K-5 teachers an opportunity to see what is available to them for their classroom and students.

 State assessment dates were given to the Board.

Grade School Principal’s Report:

 On October 22, a Code Red Drill was conducted. Teachers and students performed wonderfully.

 Parent-teacher conferences were held on October 24 and 25. Mr. Grafton would like to see greater attendance. Kitchen staff cooked breakfast for everyone on the 25th, it was very nice.

 The student council hosted a Halloween dance on October 24 for 7-8th grade students and had a really nice turnout.

 A Halloween Assembly was held on October 31. Mrs. Colonel and her band students did an excellent job.

 The fire department held a fire drill at CGS on November 4. All went well. It was positive, some of our lower grades were in the hall and others in the library. Everyone exited appropriately.

 CGS held our 2nd Annual Veterans Day Assembly on November 8. The band and choir both performed and the lower grades sang. The school was very patriotic. Mr. Grafton is very proud of the students. Mrs. Peters, Mrs. Bohnert, and Mrs. Colonel did an excellent job of planning the event.

 A PTS meeting was held on November 13.

 Mr. Grafton spoke at the Rotary Club luncheon on November 13.

 Parking blocks have been ordered for the statue near the front parking lot and will be installed upon arrival.

 5th grade beginning band will hold a concert on November 20 at 6:30 p.m.

 Pre-K Family Fun Night is planned for November 21 from 5-7 p.m.

 Attended Narcan Training at Memorial Hospital.

 The CGS Christmas Concert for grades 6-8 will be held on December 5.

 Grades 1-4 will present their Christmas Programs on December 12.

 CGS will be decorating their hallways this Christmas season as a contest; winner selected by district staff.

 Observation of cracks on the building shows they are stable.

High School Principal’s Report:

 Parent-teacher conferences were well attended. A special thanks to the cafeteria staff for the meal they made for staff on Thursday night.

 The Human Service Center set up in the cafeteria on October 24 during P/T conferences with their “Hidden in Plain Sight” presentation for parents.

 The School Report Card is now available online. We currently have a commendable school rating.

 All department meetings are finished and Mr. Guebert is starting on next year’s schedule.

 The GSA club handed out candy on Halloween night at the school.

 CHS had a fire drill with the fire department, as well as a lockdown drill with the police this month.

 The Veterans Day breakfast was held on November 8. Approximately 40 Veterans came in and enjoyed the morning with our students. Thank you to Mr. Cowan and the FCA for helping put together the morning, to Mrs. Evers and Mrs. Marcinkowska for decorating, and to the cafeteria staff for coming in early to prepare the meal.

 Mayor Page and Mrs. Meyer is working on the development of a community calendar.

 No school November 28 and 29 for Thanksgiving break.

 A Career Conference is scheduled for December 4.

 Football Toy Drive at Wal-Mart on December 14.

 The CHS Music Department will hold their Christmas Concert on December 16.

 First semester finals are scheduled for December 19 & 20.

Superintendent’s Report:

 Received a FOIA request from the IL Department of Employment Security requesting wages/salaries and hours for all positions.

 Received a FOIA request from Dr. Kramer asking for salary, reimbursement, curriculum, and building information.

 Superintendent Pasero asked the Board to review regular meeting dates for the upcoming year.

 The Board received an invitation for the CEA Annual Christmas Dinner scheduled for December 15.

 Mr. Pasero will be asking for a 5.31% increase in funds on the 2019 Tax Levy payable in 2020. It will look like an increase, but it is only a return to the bonds that were being paid for two years ago. CPI will reduce the request to around a 2% increase. The hearing will be held prior to the regular meeting in December.

 Mr. Pasero has an opportunity to apply for a property tax relief grant. Abate $681,167 for two years, the grant will cover 94.5% of the abated amount and will become part of our base minimum. Concerns would be that we would then be restricted to a smaller amount than we currently receive due to PTELL. ISBE advises that this is not the intention, but the law is currently not written to prevent the issue. We are currently number 794 on the list (of schools that would have to turn the grant down). Not very likely that we would receive it.

 Integrity (broker), sent an article encouraging the districts to lock in a rate for the fall of 2021 with an energy contract. Currently we are paying. 0569/kWh. The new price would be 0.0489/kWh for the next term of contract (September 2021).

 Expect to have the 3 AC unit replacements complete by the end of January by Bel-O Sales and Service Inc. of Belleville.

 The AC unit at the grade school for one of the classrooms was replaced on November 11.

 The Baysinger Planning Program is putting together a presentation for application that will present future facility needs, given the replacement of the 1925 section of the high school.

 Network upgrades were started the week of November 11. This is part of the E-Rate Program.

 The grade school freezer went out. An ice truck was rented for about a week while the compressor unit was replaced by A&W at a cost of $5,553.86.

 Looking at an All-Call CTS option at the high school. This would be a dedicated intercom system.

 The original HLS amendment has been submitted to ISBE and we are still waiting on any word.

 PowerSchool Finance and Payroll program is being built.

 Scheffel-Boyle request additional payment to cover additional Federal funding reports for the Single Audit.

The consensus of the Board is to split the difference for the additional cost this year.

 ISBE released report cards for districts around the state. In terms of scoring, we were on par with the state average for ELA, both on the IAR (elementary) and the SAT (high school juniors) and well below the state average in math on both. The high school and grade school were each assigned a “commendable” status (2nd from the highest on a scale rating of four categories.)

 P/T conferences were held last month. From all accounts they went well. Southern Illinois Substance Abuse Alliance had a bedroom display put together for parents to see and become better aware of signs to look for in regards to possible drug and tobacco use.

 Obtaining quotes to replace two smartboards at the high school that have been failing and repair efforts have deemed unsuccessful. Cost is estimated at roughly $3,500 per board.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to enter into executive session at 8:20 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body and for collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Mott to return to open session at 9:16 p.m. Upon roll call Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve the consent agenda and items as listed. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

 Minutes of October 10, 2019 building and grounds committee meeting;

 Minutes of October 17, 2019 regular meeting and executive session;

 Bills in the amount of $534,049.49 and payroll in the amount of $421,054.17; 

 Financial reports.

The first reading of PRESS Plus Policy Issue 102 was tabled.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve the facility request of Chester Sports to hold a Basketball Camp at the grade school from January 4 through February 23, 2020, on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Mott to designate cheer pads as surplus inventory, making them available for sale to other interested schools. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Welge to renew the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Chester Police Department. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to accept the FY19 district audit report as presented by Scheffel-Boyle. Upon roll call Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the tentative tax levy for 2019 taxes payable in 2020 and to set the hearing of the proposed tax levy on December 19, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the Grade School Library followed directly by the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Mott to accept the resignation of Mecca Korando as grade school paraprofessional effective November 8, 2019. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to accept the intent to retire from Tim Paulus as grade school head custodian effective June 30, 2023, taking advantage of the 6% retirement incentive during his last 3 years of employment. Upon roll call Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to employ Samantha Yankey as a 7 1⁄2 hour grade school paraprofessional retroactive from November 4, 2019, at $9.34 per hour. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Mott to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.

The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held on December 19, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chester Community Grade School Library, 650 Opdyke Street, Chester, IL 62233.

http://www.chester139.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_105222/File/November%2019,%202019%20Regular%20Mtg%20Brief.pdf