Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 Board of Education met Dec. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Tax Levy Hearing
The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 met in the Chester Community Grade School
Conference Room on December 19, 2019. President Hammel called the Tax Levy Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Dan Colvis, Trent Vasquez, Debi Caraway, Charles Fricke, Lorin Mott, Mitch Hammel. Members absent: Tom Welge
No public comment was presented.
Superintendent Pasero presented the tax levy to the Board of Education and indicated the total levy request is for the amount of $3,757,640.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to adjourn the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Upon roll call all Mr.
Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 met in the Chester Community Grade School Conference Room on December 19, 2019. President Hammel called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Members present: Dan Colvis, Trent Vasquez, Debi Caraway, Charles Fricke, Lorin Mott, Mitch Hammel. Members absent: Tom Welge
A motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway 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.
The Board received a thank you from the family of Lawrence Jany for the plant received in his memory.
Mr. Springston’s Rhetoric and Composition class sent the Board a thank you for allowing the E-Waste recycling event to take place, making Chester and the surrounding areas a better place.
Grade School Maintenance Report:
• HSG replaced a pump seal in the boiler room.
• Waiting on a proposal from Belleville Fence to repair the fence/gate on the playground.
• Korando Heating & Cooling installed the new furnace and air conditioner in room 222.
• Had a false fire alarm that originated in a furnace closet. The monitoring panel was reset and all is well.
High School Maintenance Report:
• Construction is beginning on the HVAC units for rooms 117, 217 and 218.
• Contacted Baysinger about the library A/C unit that went out in August.
• Replaced two fan motors on the boilers behind Colbert gym.
• Will be busy over Christmas break with cleaning to prepare for the second half of the school year.
Grade School Athletic Report:
• Boys and girls basketball are half-way through their seasons. Girls will play their regional mid-January and the boys a week later.
• Cheerleading is also half-way through and all is going well. The cheerleaders participated in cheer competitions this year to help prepare for the high school level.
• The 5th & 6th grade basketball programs are running along smoothly.
• Volleyball will begin approximately mid-January.
High School Athletic Report:
• The varsity girls basketball team took first place in the Sparta Tournament. Destiny Williams, Kendall Williams, and
Reese Chandler were named to the all tournament team.
• The varsity boys basketball team placed third in the MHS-THS Tournament. Ian Reith was named to the all tournament team.
• The CHS cheer team has qualified for state.
• Competition dance will compete on January 4.
• The football districting proposal failed.
• The football team held their annual toy drive on December 14. With the help of Nurse Nikki, football players and coaches storm Wal-Mart and purchase over $6,000 in gifts for the less fortunate. This is the 11th year this program has existed.
• Currently working on an agreement with Country Companies to become a CIT and LJMWC sponsor.
• CHS placed 2nd in the caps competion winning $5,000.
Curriculum Report:
• Mrs. Stegmann attended a field trip to CCSI with Mr. Guebert and approximately 45 grade 10 students.
• The ACCESS test will begin shortly after Christmas break.
• Updated accommodations on College Board for the PSAT.
• The accommodations update process is currently ongoing for the SAT.
• IAR accommodations can be entered starting January 6.
Grade School Principal’s Report:
• Parking blocks have been installed at the top of the parking lot.
• Mrs. Gonzalez and her class visited Three Springs on November 27.
• The junior high Christmas concert was held on December 5 in Colbert Gym.
• Held an Open House on December 7 to give the community an opportunity to come in and see all of the Christmas decorations that our staff and students have produced. Candy canes and homemade cookies were available to visitors.
We had a great turn out, nothing but positivity from those who attended. Several teachers and staff helped. Mrs. Knop, Mrs. Gorecki, Mrs. Colvis, Mrs. Jany, Ms. Wofford, Mrs. Grau, Mrs. Handel, Mrs. Wingerter, Mrs. McBride, Mrs. Korando, Mrs. Davitz, and Mrs. Phillips.
• Grades 1-4 held their Christmas program on December 12.
• The CEA Christmas party was held on December 15 at the Landmark.
• The 4th grade went caroling at Three Springs on December 17.
• Second quarter ends December 20. Grades are due in the office by January 10.
• Decals have arrived for the truck.
• Our kitchen staff began providing salads for employees.
• QNS continues to work on the marque.
• The Kids First program helped approximately 50 students.
• A meal was provided to staff.
• Staff Christmas program will be held on Friday, December 20.
High School Principal’s Report:
• Congratulations to our Illinois State Scholars. Amira Al-Jassim, Adeline Blechle, Jessica Handel, Zack Houghlan, Ashtyn Jany, Alyssa Place, Jaci South, Lauryn Vasquez, and Destiny Williams.
• CHS’s 1st Career Conference was held on December 4. There were 10 businesses who came in to talk to our junior and senior students. A huge thank you to Mr. Guebert and Mrs. Marcinkowska for the organization of this event.
• Trooper Josh Korando from the Illinois State Police presented to the entire student body at the end of the day on December 4.
• Jostens was here for senior graduation items. Graduation has been scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.
• NHS held a food drive for the local food pantry.
• The Music Department held their Christmas concert on December 18.
• Swing Choir performed for the Chester Women’s Club on December 19.
• Semester exams are scheduled for December 19 and 20. It will be an open campus.
• Art Club did a great job decorating doors for Christmas.
• Mrs. Petrowske held an evening study session for students in her classroom.
• A potluck for staff was held on December 19 and a breakfast will be held on December 20.
• Yonder pouches are working well.
Superintendent’s Report:
• Received a second FOIA request from Dr. Kramer for employee start/end dates and salaries. Education histories were denied; we don’t create these reports.
• Review of board meeting dates for 2020.
• As of November closeout we are at 48% of revenues, 44% of expenditures.
• Asking for a 5.31% increase in funds on the tax levy. It will look like an increase, but is only a return to the bonds that were being paid for two years ago.
• Abate levy request for Bond Series 2013B for $288,388 and Bond Series 2015A for $199,325.
• We will wait until we get closer to around 12 months out of the August 2021 expiration date of our energy contract to switch.
• Work began outside on the 3 AC units at the high school. Work in the building will begin over winter break and expect to be completed by the end of January by Bel-O Sales.
• The Baysinger Planning Program is putting together a presentation for an application that will present future facility needs, given the replacement of the 1925 section of the high school.
• Network upgrades continue at the high school. This is part of the E-Rate program.
• Still waiting on proposal for the intercom system. Current system is more consistent now than at any time this year.
• The original HLS amendment has been submitted to ISBE. The district will need to take bids prior to ISBE approval.
• PowerSchool is having issues with their implementations.
• PSIC will return $11,113 from portions of equity returns over the years 2011-2015.
• The district received an additional Title I allotment that will allow for additional services, professional development opportunities and equipment.
• With the upcoming closing of the Chester Dairy, Prairie Farms will be assuming our school deliveries and have agreed to honor the 2019-2020 Chester Dairy prices.
• Posting for an additional position in special education at the high school. Other considerations will be grade school Art, high school Science, junior high Math.
• PRESS Plus 102 board policy recommendations.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to enter into executive session at 7:58 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body.
Upon roll call Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Fricke 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 return to open session at 8:15 p.m. Upon roll call Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Fricke 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 Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Fricke 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. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
• Minutes of November 19, 2019 regular meeting and executive session;
• Minutes of November 25, 2019 special meeting and executive session;
• Bills in the amount of $385,327.37 and payroll in the amount of $434,638.45;
• Financial reports.
Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Colvis to appoint Adam Guebert as District Liaison to the
Department of Children & Family Services. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Mott to set dates and times for regular meetings of the Board of Education for calendar year 2020 as follows. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Regular Board of Education Meeting Dates for 2020
Chester Community Grade School Library at 7:00 p.m.
All meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month unless otherwise specified.
January 16, 2020 May 18, 2020 (third Monday)
September 22, 2020 (fourth Tuesday)
February 20, 2020 June 18, 2020 October 15, 2020
March 19, 2020 July 16, 2020 November 19, 2020
April 16, 2020 August 20, 2020 December 17, 2020
Superintendent Pasero presented changes and recommendations on PRESS Plus Policy Issue 102. Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the first reading of PRESS Plus Policy Issue 102 with the changes as presented. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Colvis to adopt the 2019 Certificate of Tax Levy for Chester Community Unit School District 139 in the amount of $3,757,640 payable in 2020. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay,
1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the abatement of 2019 taxes to be levied to pay principal and interest on Bond 2013B in the amount of $288,388. Upon roll call Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Fricke 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 Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve the abatement of 2019 taxes to be levied to pay principal and interest on Bond 2015A in the amount of $199,325. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
The resolution for the issue of school bonds was tabled.
Motion was made by Mr. Mott and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve Demantae Martin as volunteer coach for 5/6th grade boys’ basketball for the 2019-2020 school year. 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. Vasquez to approve Kaitlyn Dillow as volunteer coach for high school softball, pending fingerprinting, for the 2019-2020 school year. 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. Fricke to approve the minimum wage rate increase to $9.25 per hour, as required by law, effective January 1, 2020. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke 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. Colvis to reassign Rachel Vasquez from grade school cafeteria aide to 7 ½ hour paraprofessional at $9.34 per hour, effective January 6, 2020. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke 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. Colvis to employ Cindy Menefee as a 3-hour grade school cafeteria aide at $9.25 per hour, effective January 6, 2020. Upon roll call Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Fricke 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. Mott to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted yea, 6 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
http://www.chester139.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_105222/File/December%2019,%202019%20Regular%20Mtg%20Brief.pdf
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