Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 Board of Education met May 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 held their Regular Meeting in the Chester Community Grade School Cafetari. President Hammel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Mitch Hammel, Dan Colvis (via phone), Trent Vasquez (via phone), Tom Welge (via phone), Charles Fricke (via phone), Debi Caraway (via phone). Members absent: Lorin Mott
A motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve the agenda and items as listed. Upon roll call all members voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
No public comment was presented to the Board.
High School Maintenance Report:
Will need to order more chairs for the cafeteria to replace the ones that were broken through the school year.
Apparently we had a voltage spike a few weeks back that fried the contractor inside the walk-in freezer and ruined everything that was in it, as well as the circuit board and compressor inside the ice machine.
Summer cleaning will begin May 18.
Waiting on a quote from Egyptian Sealcoating for the high school parking lot.
The football field is in pretty good shape for this early in the year.
A/C units are done, but there are still a few bugs in the controls. Baysinger has been contacted and are handling it.
High School Athletic Report:
All spring seasons have been suspended due to the COVID-19 virus.
All summer contact days have been suspended due to the COVID-19 virus.
Girls basketball has lost two amazing people in the last couple months; head coach Pat Knowles and JV coach Jennifer Hittmeier-King.
The athletic department applied to host the volleyball regional and have been selected to host the 2020 regional in this area.
Colleen Runge has accepted the position as head volleyball coach for the 2020 season.
CHS has participated in the #BETHELIGHTS campaign since April 24. The football field lights are turned on at 8:20 p.m. (20:20 military time) on Friday nights for 20 minutes and 20 seconds to honor the senior class of 2020.
With the help of our social media team, we have been able to honor or “spotlight” all senior spring athletes. Sophia Durbin and Jacob Cowan have done a great job getting those out to our social media outlets.
Grade School Principal’s Report:
We have averaged around 670 bags/1,340 meals each week since remote learning began. Monday, May 18 will be the last day to serve. The para’s have been a huge resource.
Construction at the grade school is underway and is going very well. Teachers have worked hard to clean their rooms, in addition to their remote learning responsibilities. The custodial staff has also worked hard to clean out the rooms so that the construction workers have access to them.
The work the teachers have been doing since remote learning began has been tremendous. They have worked tirelessly. It has been a very difficult job to teach remotely. They have reached out to their students continuously throughout the process. Many of our lower grade teachers were on Facebook on a daily basis, some have been in 3-5 times a day reading books, working on counting or with letters and sounds. Upper level classes have been using Google Classroom. Some students that do not have computer access have been picking up paper packets. Final turn in of work was May 14.
CGS hosted a blood drive in the cafeteria on May 13 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Junior high teachers delivered diplomas, as well as a little surprise, to our 8th grade students on May 15.
For Teacher Appreciation Week, Mr. Grafton wrote “Thank You” cards and gave the entire staff a small gift.
The walk-a-thon scheduled in April was canceled and all donations from local businesses were returned.
High School Principal’s Report:
A few staff members got up early on April 28 to deliver yard signs for all seniors.
On May 1, we set up a memorial on the walk in front of the Colbert Gym for the two girls basketball coaches we lost to cancer.
The Illinois National Guard donated posters to the Seniors which were hung on the fence above the football field.
Our remote learning period is wrapping up.
A schedule has been put together to allow students in the school to gather items from their lockers.
We are putting together a video for our seniors.
Scholarships are due on June 1, 2020.
The CHS presentation of the musical, “Shrek” is scheduled for July 16-20.
Prom has been rescheduled for July 25.
Graduation has been rescheduled for August 2.
Superintendent’s Report:
PRESS Plus Issue 103.
Remote Learning Plan.
The amended budget hearing will be held on June 18. The budget is on file in the district office.
Budget progress: as of December closeout: 86% of Revenues, 85% of Expenditures, most of our tax revenues have been received. Cash on hand = 87 days.
Health insurance for our employees saw an average increase of around 10%.
Due to COVID-19 economic issues and the possibility of delayed tax receipts and reduced mandated categorical payments, Mr. Pasero has approached BV Bank to open another line of credit in the amount of $1,500,000.
HVAC work approved last month has begun. A big thanks to a cooperative staff that allowed workers to get into the classrooms early. If all goes well, the work may all get completed this summer.
The cost of food that was lost due to the freezer going out, along with the cost of the contactor that failed, did not amount to more than our deductible. If including the cost of the ice machine, that also went out, doesn’t significantly exceed the $5,000 deductible, we will withdraw our claim.
Pipes leaking at both buildings were addressed.
August 2 has been scheduled to complete graduation on-site at the high school for our seniors. Alternative recognitions have been taking place for both the 8th grade students and seniors.
We will be working with staff to refine our Remote Learning efforts so we are better prepared in August.
We will be recognizing staff for years of service and our retirees, at the point we are all able to return on site.
We have a couple on-line services that will hopefully enhance the registration process. One is an add-on feature for Skyward that allows for a more complete online registration process. The other, Rev-Trak, allows users to pay with a credit card for a 3.49% service fee. Parents would still have the option to mail checks if they wanted to avoid the fee.
Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Welge to enter into executive session at 7:52 p.m. for (A) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, and (B) collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted aye, Mr. Vasquez voted aye, Mrs. Caraway voted aye, Mr. Fricke voted aye, Mr. Welge voted aye, Mr. Hammel voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to return to open session at 8:11 p.m. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted aye, Mr. Vasquez voted aye, Mrs. Caraway voted aye, Mr. Fricke voted aye, Mr. Welge voted aye, Mr. Hammel voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the consent agenda and items as listed. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted aye, Mrs. Caraway voted aye, Mr. Colvis voted aye, Mr. Welge voted aye, Mr. Vasquez voted aye, Mr. Hammel voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Minutes of the April 16, 2020, regular meeting and executive session;
Bills in the amount of $235,244.83 and payroll in the amount of $420,319.22; Financial reports.
After conducting the second reading, motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to adopt PRESS Plus Policy Issue 103 as recommended by Superintendent Pasero. Upon roll call all members voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Colvis to adopt the amended calendar for school year 2019-2020, reflecting emergency days, act of God days, and e-Learning days. Upon roll call all members voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to adopt the resolution to place the 2019-2020 amended budget of Chester CUSD 139 on file and schedule a hearing to present said budget for June 18, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., directly followed by the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted aye, Mr. Vasquez voted aye, Mrs. Caraway voted aye, Mr. Fricke voted aye, Mr. Welge voted aye, Mr. Hammel voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Fricke to adopt a resolution authorizing the establishment of a line of credit with Buena Vista National Bank in the amount not to exceed $1,500,000. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted aye, Mr. Vasquez voted aye, Mrs. Caraway voted aye, Mr. Fricke voted aye, Mr. Welge abstained, Mr. Hammel voted aye. 5 aye, 0 nay, 1 abstain, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to approve a 36-month energy agreement with AEP beginning August 2021, on the provision there is no minimum usage requirement. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted aye, Mr. Vasquez voted aye, Mrs. Caraway voted aye, Mr. Fricke voted aye, Mr. Welge voted aye, Mr. Hammel voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
The first reading of the Chester 139 Extracurricular Code of Conduct for 2020-21 was conducted. There were some discussion and questions from the board about the proposed changes for next school year. (1) Suspension lengths for violations were modified, (2) a probation period after the most recent infraction was put into place, (3) members of the appeal committee were modified to exclude administration involved in the initial determination, and (4) appeal procedures to include the school board’s role. Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Fricke to accept the first reading of the Chester 139 Extracurricular Code of Conduct for the 2020-2021 school year. Upon roll call all members voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to accept the resignation of Steven Colonel as high school evening custodian effective May 1, 2020. Upon roll call all members voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to accept the resignation of Matthew Meltzer as high school agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor effective at the conclusion of the 2019-2020 school year. Upon roll call all members voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Welge to accept the resignation of LaVerne Misselhorn as high school assistant golf coach. Upon roll call all members voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to employ Chett Andrews, Mitchell Colonel, and Clay Herrell as grade school summer custodians beginning April 27, 2020. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted aye, Mr. Vasquez voted aye, Mrs. Caraway voted aye, Mr. Fricke voted aye, Mr. Welge voted aye, Mr. Hammel voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Welge to employ Chase Colvis, Ryn Petrowske, and Colin Wingerter as high school summer custodians beginning May 18, 2020. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis abstained, Mr. Vasquez voted aye, Mrs. Caraway voted aye, Mr. Fricke voted aye, Mr. Welge voted aye, Mr. Hammel voted aye. 5 aye, 0 nay, 1 abstain, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mr. Caves to approve the reassignment of Patricia Handel from a 4th grade teacher to 5th grade teacher for the 2020-2021 school year as recommended by administration. Upon roll call all members voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mrs. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve the reassignment of Kailey Mena from a 5th grade teacher to 4th grade teacher for the 2020-2021 school year as recommended by administration. Upon roll call all members voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve a 2-year extension of the administrative contract for Melissa Meyer as high school principal effective through June 2023. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted aye, Mr. Vasquez voted aye, Mrs. Caraway voted aye, Mr. Fricke voted aye, Mr. Welge voted aye, Mr. Hammel voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Welge and seconded by Mrs. Caraway to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted aye. 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent; motion carried.
The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chester Community Grade School Library, 650 Opdyke Street, Chester, IL 62233.
https://www.chester139.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_105222/File/May%2018,%202020%20Regular%20Mtg%20Brief.pdf
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