Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 Board of Education met March 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The meeting was moved from the Grade School Library to the Gymnasium as a precaution due to the social distancing guidelines. President Hammel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Dan Colvis, Trent Vasquez, Tom Welge, Lorin Mott, Charles Fricke, Mitch Hammel, Debi Caraway (via telephone)
A motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Welge to approve the agenda and items as listed. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
No public comment was presented to the Board.
Grade School Maintenance Report:
• Belleville Fencing completed the install of damaged fencing and gate on the 4/5th grade wing.
• The leaks in the cafeteria roof have been completed by Giessler Roofing.
• A basketball goal was fixed by Mr. Grafton. A cable was pinched by the pulley.
• The pump seal in the mechanical room has been fixed. The system lost water pressure and then the chiller went down. Johnson Controls came and diagnosed it and got it back up and running.
• Mr. Paulus will be getting summer orders ready and sent to the unit office.
High School Maintenance Report:
• HVAC system is close to being installed but still needs a few more covers and fencing around it.
• Had a company survey the back parking lots in order to give a bid on filling the cracks and resurfacing the asphalt lots and re-painting lines and numbers.
• The track building is cleaned and ready for use.
• The custodial staff is doing all we can to help keep the building clean and disinfected.
Grade School Athletic Report:
• The volleyball season came to an end on March 16 for the 6th and 7th grade teams.
• 8th grade volleyball’s current record is A-team 9-11 and B-team 16-5.
• Volleyball accomplishments this season included our A-team winning consolation at the St. Mary’s tournament. Our B- team won 3rd place at the Prairie du Rocher tournament and won consolation at the Red Bud Lutheran tournament.
• Track meets are scheduled to begin in April.
• Preparing for the 2020-21 school year.
High School Athletic Report:
• Boys’ basketball lost in the first round of the regionals. They were defeated by DuQuoin 49-38. They finished with a 20-12 record, 9-3 in conference.
• Destiny Williams, Reese Chandler, Ian Reith, and DeOndre Martin were all selected as members of the BDC All- Conference Team.
• Destiny Williams and Ian Reith were both named Captain of the BDC. This is a great honor for both these student athletes.
• The Cheer Awards Banquet was held on March 11. Boys Basketball was held on March 12 and Dance on March 13.
• Spring sport athlete numbers are in: softball 12, baseball 34, girls track 19, boys track 19, trap shooting 6, and bass fishing 8. 30% of our student body is participating in spring athletics.
• 40 total Fall, Winter and Spring high school coaches have been working with our student athletes in 2019-2020.
• Mr. Blechle will be visiting the Extracurricular Code of Conduct and looking for updates.
• Summer contact days and camps on the master schedule
Curriculum Report:
• Mrs. Stegmann presented the board with an Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) testing schedule.
• This year 11th grade students took the Illinois Science Assessment on March 5 in Juergen’s Gym. The ISA is an online assessment taken on Chromebooks. The junior class behaved very well during testing. They also helped set up for the day and tear down immediately after testing. The ISA is designed to test proficiency in areas of physical, earth, and life sciences.
• PSAT and SAT accommodations have been entered to the SSD College Board.
Grade School Principal’s Report:
• On February 25 the FFA came out to the grade school and presented to 4th grade students.
• Parent/teacher conferences were held on February 27 and 28. CGS had a good turnout. Reaching out to parents increased our numbers. Approximately 50% of those who did not initially sign up attended.
• Dennis Trask was here on February 27 with his display, “In plain sight”. A lot of positive comments.
• Mrs. Koester started on March 2 and we are really excited about moving forward with our reading program.
High School Principal’s Report:
• Students celebrated FFA the week of February 24-27. They had a week full of activities that ended with class games and a “Kiss the Goat” winner, Mrs. Hammel. $313,94 was raised and donated to the Chester Public Library at Mrs. Hammel’s request.
• The Sting won the Blue Banner Award on February 26 at the Southern Illinois School Press Association. Individual Winners included:
o Chris Schwier - feature - 1st place
o Jaci South - humorous column - 1st place
o Andy Bryant - multimedia story - 1st place
o Brayden Ridings - feature - 3rd place
o Wes Carpenter - review - 3rd place
o Jaci South, Ryn Petrowske and Jenna Bierman - collective multimedia story - 2nd place
o Kayla Bert - feature photo - 2nd place
o Mallary Vasquez - editorial - 3rd place
o Kerringtyn Malley - cartooning (on-site) - 1st place
o Jaci South - copy editing (on-site) - 1st place
o Alyssa Place - infographics design (on-site) - 2nd place
o Ryn Petrowske and Kayla Bert - yearbook theme development (on-site) - 2nd place
• Mrs. Hammel’s Language Arts IV class visited Ms. Kennedy’s 3rd grade class on March 5 and shared the books they created about an influential person.
• The CHS Pep Band played for the IHSA 3A and 4A final four games on March 7 at ISU’s Red Bird Arena.
• Mrs. Meyer and Mr. Guebert visited 8th grade students at the grade school on March 9 and visited St. Mary’s and St. John’s on March 12.
• The Academic Challenge Team competed in their Sectional on March 11.
• Mr. Springston and Mrs. Norman took their English III classes to SIU on March 10 and March 11.
• Four CHS students are scheduled to compete in the Illinois Skills USA Competition through CCSI in April.
o Michael Hubert received 1st place in the welding division to advance
o Christian Wright received 3rd place in maintenance and light repair in the automotive division
o Matthew Murray received 6th place in automotive technology
o Dominic Neal received 30th in automotive technology
Superintendent’s Report:
• COVID-19:
o We receive regular guidance from both ISBE and the IASA. We have been in contact with our local health department and expect that notice will come from them on any area cases we need to be aware of.
o Teachers are working with students via take home packets and availability through email and phone
o Volunteers have distributed meals this week.
• Superintendent Pasero discussed the submission of an E-Learning Plan in case ISBE would require E-Learning days be used during an additional period schools are closed.
• Payroll and Transportation: State is telling us to continue to pay staff as normal. We will need to work out an agreement with SWIBCO on transportation payment. ISBE will continue to allow for transportation expenditure claims and is recommending that we work with our contractor to help make whole their salaries. Mr. Pasero and the board discussed the district’s transportation contract and whether or not to pay gas/maintenance and noted that the price of gas has been down and should be reflected in the billing. Our attorney is working on an agreement to use while schools are closed.
• Board Policy Updates: Recommendations based on legal counsel on 7:270. The only additional lines recommended state the District reserves the right to regulate, restrict or stop allowing the administration of the medication if it would put our federal funding in jeopardy.
• As of the January closeout: 68% of Revenues, 59% of Expenditures, most of our tax revenues have been received.
• Cash-on-hand = 112 Days
• Bond requests will come most likely later this month for the 2009 refinance to complete the HVAC project at the grade school. With the bids that came in, we would need to bond roughly $1,143,000. Overall tax rates for bonds is expected to increase as mentioned earlier. Additional bond sale would bring the rate to about 0.509, still lower than it was in 2016 = 0.86 and 2015 = 0.78. We will also need to review the best time for a sale of bonds given the volatility in the market.
• Energy Contract: Plan is to start requesting pricing in late March / early April
• 3 AC unit replacements: Inside work is complete and units are working. They are continuing to finish up some insulation work on the exterior. Asking for a payment approval of $10,752.30 for Bel-O-Sales.
• Network upgrades: E-Rate extended by one year their most recent cycle and added a little money as a result. I have a bid from QNS to complete recommended work. I will ask for approval of QNS bid for network upgrades, pending E- Rate approval. Cost will be $29,653.99. E-Rate is estimated to cover about 80% of the work.
• Maintenance grant application ($50,000 matching) grant from ISBE has been approved. We would apply this to the upcoming GS-HVAC project completion.
• We opened bids for the GS-HVAC project earlier this week. We are now waiting for the state to approve the HLS amendment, allowing for the bond sale to pay for the project.
• Still reviewing two lighting proposals. One is without labor, the other is without fixtures.
• I am taking a couple quotes on getting the high school parking lot re-sealed. Mr. McMath has indicated the need and that it has been several years since any previous work was completed on it.
• 2020-2021 Calendar. The first day of student attendance will be Friday, August 14, 2020.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to enter into executive session at 7:31 p.m. for (a) TABLED student disciplinary case; (b) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; and (c) 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. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to return to open session at 7:35 p.m. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
There was no action taken from executive session.
Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve the consent agenda and items as listed. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
• Minutes of the February 20, 2020, regular meeting and executive session;
• Bills in the amount of $682,842.50 and payroll in the amount of $423,999.28;
• Financial reports.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to conduct and approve the second reading of PRESS Plus Policy 7:270, Administering Medicines to Students, with updates per recommendation based on legal counsel. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Mott to approve payment to Bel-O-Sales for the HVAC replacement project at the high school in the amount of $10,752.30. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
The Board tabled the approval for Bel-O-Sales to complete HVAC replacement on the high school media center and band room at this time.
Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Welge to approve the proposal from QNS for category 2 network upgrades in the amount of $29,653.99, contingent upon E-Rate approval. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott 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. Fricke to approve eight (8) hurdles as surplus, to be sold or donated to Gibault School District, 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 approve the facility request of St. John’s Lutheran School for use of the track, contingent upon administrative approval while schools are closed and through the summer. 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 approve the facility request of St. Mary’s Catholic School for use of the track, contingent upon administrative approval while schools are closed and through the summer. 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 approve the facility request of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department for use of the track and high school weight room, contingent upon administrative approval while schools are closed and through the summer. 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 approve the high school Lady Jacket summer basketball camp dates at the grade school for June 29, 30, July 1, and 2, 2020, contingent upon administrative approval while schools are closed and through the summer. 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 approve the request to hold a high school cheer camp in Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the request to hold a high school cheer camp in February 2021 and to perform during a basketball game. 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 approve the 2020-2021 School Calendar, announcing August 14, 2020, as the first day of student attendance. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Mott to approve membership and to adopt the constitution by-laws of the IHSA for the 2020-2021 school year. 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 2018 HLS Amendment #19 to re-submit to the Illinois State Board of Education. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Welge to accept the resignation of Sophia Durbin as high school assistant volleyball coach. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Fricke to accept the resignation of Haley Williams as high school volunteer assistant dance coach. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Welge to approve the maternity request of Rebecca Phillips, through FMLA, during approximate dates of August 19 through November 16, 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 employ Sabrina Ebers as a 4-hour high school cafeteria aide at $9.25 per hour, effective March 20, 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. Welge voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Mott to reassign Amy Miller as high school special education teacher for the 2020-2021 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott 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. Fricke to employ Jamie Ruch as grade school special education teacher for the 2020-2021 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Mott voted yea, Mr. Welge voted yea, Mr. Hammel voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 7 yea, 0 nay; motion carried.
The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held on April 16, 2020, 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/March%2019,%202020%20Regular%20Mtg%20Brief.pdf
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