South West Illinois News

Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 Board of Education met Jan. 16.

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, Debi Caraway, Tom Welge, Charles Fricke, Lorin Mott, Mitch Hammel, Trent Vasquez

A motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the agenda and items listed as presented. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

No public comment was presented.

The Board received a thank you card for the Peace Lily from the family of William Patrick Ranta.

Earl Kleidon, Baysinger Architects, informed the board that Bel-o-Sales will be 90% complete with the work being conducted at the high school by the end of the month.

Ryan Dodd, Baysinger Architects, presented the board with the Programming and Educational Specifications recommended by the Planning Team that address the aging infrastructure, accommodate the student population, and enhance educational programs and services at the high school.

Grade School Maintenance Report:

• The fence addition and repair has been approved and scheduled.

• Baysinger is preparing for the next phase of HVAC work at CGS.

• All filters have been changed in the ventilators.

• The old kitchen has been cleaned out.

• There are two lights on the playground by the courtyard that do not have power to them.

• The Bete Club raised money to purchase materials for a handicap ramp that Mr. Paulus kindly built at the home of a student.

• A big thank you to Mr. Paulus for building a cart to make it easier to transport the volleyball poles.

High School Maintenance Report:

• Construction of the HVAC units is moving along well. All construction inside of the classrooms is complete, the outside units are in place, and the central vacuum for the wood shop has been relocated.

• The building underwent an extensive cleaning over Christmas break.

• The student parking lot is in need of repair before being resealed.

• Held a discussion with Baysinger about handrails going down to the gym floor in Colbert and what all that would require.

Grade School Athletic Report:

• Basketball season is coming to an end for both boys and girls junior high. The girls play in their regional game on January 18. The boys play their last regular season game on January 23 and begin their regional the following week.

• Cheerleading is coming to an end as well.

• Volleyball tryouts were held on January 10 and will begin games on January 28.

• The board received an upcoming athletic schedule.

High School Athletic Report:

• The boys basketball team took 10th place at the Duster Thomas Tournament. Ian Reith was named to the AllTournament Team.

• The girls basketball team finished 3-1 in the Lebanon Holiday Tournament and finished in 5th place. Destiny Williams was named to the All-Tournament Team.

• Both competitive cheer and dance teams have qualified for state and are working extremely hard on their routines.

• Football districting has been overturned and will no longer happen.

• The athletic Twitter account now has 216 followers.

• We have 34 chair back advertisements sold and under contract.

• We launched our CIT tournament webpage for the second time.

• CHS took first place in the Mid Winter Classic girls basketball tournament. Destiny Williams, Reese Chandler and Kendell Williams were named to the All-Tournament Team. Destiny Williams was also named MVP.

• During the MWC, Destiny Williams broke the girls scoring record of 1,566.

• Finalizing baseball, softball and track schedules, and confirming umpires and officials.

• Finishing up all winter sport checklist items.

Curriculum Report:

• The RTI process at the high school is in the course of being redesigned.

• After inviting Chris Diddlebock to an RTI committee meeting to discuss requirements for schools last September, Mr. Colonel and Mrs. Stegmann was invited by Mr. Diddlebock to attend an RTI workshop in Waterloo this past October.

• Beginning with the second semester, students are now in their study hall every day, Monday through Thursday.

Teachers will continue to pull students from study hall for RTI in their academic areas as needed.

• Planning continues to design specific RTI for areas such as reading, math and test prep.

• Mrs. Decker and Mrs. Stegmann met on January 7 and reviewed the new online testing process and discussed scheduling of student tests and also finalized technology needs with QNS.

• Continuing to work with special education teachers regarding testing accommodations for each of the state assessments.

• An assessment webinar was held on January 10 regarding pertinent assessment information.

• From January through May the majority of curriculum time will be consumed by assessment planning, preparation, scheduling, communication with teachers, finalizing assessments once completed, etc.

• The board received a schedule of assessment dates.

Grade School Principal’s Report:

• Third quarter began January 6 with a teacher’s institute. Staff underwent CPR/First Aid and 4E-Crisis trainings.

• PTS held their meeting on January 14 and discussed dates for the walk-a-thon. Next month’s meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11 at 6:00 p.m.

• Family Fun Night was held January 16 at 6:00 p.m.

• A new American flag was donated to the grade school by the Chester American Legion Post 121.

• Beginning to look at numbers for next school year to prepare for scheduling and staff positions. Hoping to bring this information to the board next month.

High School Principal’s Report:

• Currently finalizing grades for the first semester.

• Staff attended three professional development sessions on January 6. Chief Helmers discussed the 4E situations; Randy Dudenbostel reviewed CPR and emergency skills; and Dr. Kelly Stewart gave a presentation over the book, The Energy Bus.

• Students returned to school on January 7.

• The Course Description Book is finalized.

• Mr. Guebert begins scheduling with juniors and seniors this month.

• 5Essentials Survey is being completed.

• Destiny Williams is now the current leading scorer for CHS girls’ basketball.

• The beginning of second semester is always a busy time at CHS with basketball season, Scholar Bowl, open gyms for spring sports, and the Theater department.

• Scholarships will be ready on February 1.

• No school on January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Dental Safari is scheduled for January 24.

• No school on February 18 for Presidents’ Day.

Superintendent’s Report:

• Board policy updates. Recommendations based on legal counsel for Policy 5:50 – Drug-and Alcohol-Free Workplace; E-Cigarette, Tobacco, and Cannabis Prohibition.

• Superintendent’s evaluation discussed.

• Mr. Pasero met with the “Unsatisfactory Review Team” as required by a new state law.

• Superintendent Pasero also met with the “Threat Assessment Team” as required by a new state law.

• The CCSI Board has selected Stephanie Mohr to take the director’s position next year. We have made a push to have CHS students take advantage of the programs they offer.

• Superintendent Pasero will forward December closeout as soon as it becomes available.

• Bond request will come most likely in March for the 2009 refinance to complete the HVAC project at the grade school.

The overall rate for the bonds is expected to increase as mentioned earlier. The additional bond sale would bring the rate to about 0.509, still lower than it was in 2016 = 0.86 and 2015 = 0.78.

• Plans to request pricing for an energy contract in late March / early April.

• Inside work is complete on the 3 AC units at the high school. A crane will be here this week to put in the units. Expect completion by the end of January by Bel-O Sales and Service Inc. First payment approval will be for $71,178.30.

• Baysinger Planning Program presentation held earlier in the meeting.

• High school network upgrades still need to be completed. E-Rate has extended their 5 year cycle an additional year.

QNS is putting together their recommendations for continued connectivity upgrades.

• Superintendent Pasero will be asking for approval to submit a maintenance ($50,000 matching) grant from ISBE. This would be applied to the upcoming grade school HVAC project completion.

• Discussion held on CTS options regarding the high school All-Call system, using refresh dollars to cover cost of parts (labor would be $18,000); and discussed additional costs to include the grade school system.

• HLS amendment approval will be based on the bids for the project, to put us over the original mark.

• PowerSchool is having issues with their implementation of the accounting program.

• A presentation for staff on safety, emergency response, and student motivation and engagement took place on January

6. A special thank you to Randy Dudenbostel of Memorial Hospital and to Chief Helmers, Chester Police Department.

• Beginning to put together and gather feedback from staff for next year’s school calendar.

• Posting for additional positions in Special Education and Reading Specialist.

• Will be posting for positions in Art (GS), Science (HS), and Math (JrH) knowing that the shortage of candidates means we may not hire them all.

• PRESS Plus Policy Issue 102 updates and recommendations presented by Superintendent Pasero.

Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to enter into executive session at 7:43 p.m. for (a) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; (b) collective negotiating matter between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees; and (c) semi-annual review, as mandated, of minutes of meetings lawfully closed. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Mott and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to return to open session at 8:24 p.m. Upon roll call Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Fricke 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 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. Fricke voted yea,

Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

• Minutes of December 19, 2019 tax levy hearing, regular meeting and executive session;

• Minutes of December 27, 2019 building & grounds committee meeting;

• Bills in the amount of $584,196.64 and payroll in the amount of $419,797.14;

• Financial reports.

After conducting the second reading of Policy Issue 102, motion was made by Mr. Mott and seconded by Mr. Fricke to adopt PRESS Plus Policy Issue 102 as recommended by Mr. Pasero. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the high school gym request for the Chester Jackets 11U traveling baseball team. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Mott and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the grade school and high school gym request for the River Warrior traveling baseball team. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

The board tabled the agreement for transporting a student to PEP.

Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to accept the semi-annual review of closed meeting minutes and determined that all minutes shall remain closed to the public; and approved destruction of audio recordings exceeding 18 months. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Welge to accept the $500 offer from Austin Seaford for the purchase of 9 cheerleading mats. 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 approve the application of the ISBE Maintenance Grant for the grade school HVAC project. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Mott and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve payment to Bel-O-Sales for work completed on the HVAC replacement project at the high school in the amount of $71,178.30. Upon roll call Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Fricke 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. Welge and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the addition of Quantitative Literacy and Statics to the high school curriculum effective for the 2020-2021 school year. 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 Chris Wingerter as high school assistant baseball coach effective January 5, 2020. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to accept the resignation of Sarah Norman as high school head volleyball coach effective January 8, 2020. 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 approve the resignation and voluntary request of Tammy Cowan, a certified teacher, to amend her original retirement date from the end of the 2019-2020 school year to January 7, 2020, with retirement benefits prorated based on the earlier retirement date. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Mott to approve Chris Wingerter as a high school volunteer baseball coach for the 2019-2020 school year. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Fricke to employ Michael Heffernan as high school assistant baseball coach for the 2019-2020 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Fricke 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. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve the wage adjustment for custodial positons as recommended by Superintendent 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. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Colvis to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and Mr. Mott to open the meeting back up for business.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve an hourly wage adjustment for custodial positons as recommended by Superintendent Pasero, reflecting an $11.00 starting rate, a $1.04 increase for the current general custodians, a $.25 increase for the grade school head custodian, and a $.50 increase for the high school head custodian, effective February 1, 2020. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Colvis to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.

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