South West Illinois News

Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board met Feb. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 held their Regular Meeting on February 16, 2022, in High School FACS Classroom B217. President Vasquez called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Members present: Randi Belton, Nikki Malley, Charles Fricke, Matt Davitz, Debi Caraway, Lorin Mott, Trent Vasquez.

The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 held their Regular Meeting on February 16, 2022, in High School FACS Classroom B217. President Vasquez called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Motion was made by Mott and seconded by Davitz to enter into executive session at 6:00 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Malley voted aye, Belton voted aye, Mott voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Davitz and seconded by Mott to return to open session at 7:49 p.m. Upon roll call Davitz voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Malley voted aye, Belton voted aye, Mott voted aye, Caraway voted aye Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Mott to approve the agenda and items as listed. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

No public comment was presented to the Board.

Board Member Fricke gave a presentation on the formation of a committee to elect former teachers to a Hall of Fame. Fricke gave details about the different stakeholders that could take part in the committee and a timeline that would include honoring elected members at the beginning of each school year.

High School Principal Meyer presented on several updates to the curriculum guide including new course offerings for next year.

Keith Brinkman presented the FY21 district audit report on behalf of Scheffel-Boyle and complimented Ms. Golding and Ms. Coughlin on the accuracy of the reports they received when doing the audit. Brinkman also expressed to the board some of the difficulties that took place this year leading to a delay in completing the audit, including implementation of new financial software and personnel changeover in the auditor’s office. Brinkman concluded by reviewing the findings from the report and noting that the district’s overall operating funds’ rating continues to improve.

The board received a card from Sue Furuholmen thanking them for the Amazon gift card received at Christmas time. The board received a thank you from Mike Schwarting and family for a contribuion made in memory of his father. The board received a thank you from Shirl Surman for the lantern received upon the passing of her father.

Maintenance Report:

∙ Snow removal went well, except for the ice underneath.

∙ All filters have been changed.

∙ Currently building baseboards for the new grade school lockers.

∙ A&W is finishing up with the boiler systems and kitchen water heater.

∙ Korando Heating has completed the change out of the AC/furnace in the coaches’ room.

Grade School Athletic Report:

∙ Boys basketball finished their season with a loss in the regional final.

∙ The 5/6th grade basketball seasons are ending. Coaches did a great job and had a good turnout this year.

∙ Volleyball is underway and the team is off to a great start.

∙ The JHSWEC held its athletic director meeting in January. Track schedules were made, volleyball dates were checked, referee salaries were discussed, as well as a county-wide track meet.

∙ Still looking for a track coach.

High School Athletic Report:

∙ The girls’ basketball team played against Belleville Althoff in the first round of regionals on February 12.

∙ The dance team advanced to the State competition held February 12.

∙ The boys’ basketball team will start post season play February 19.

∙ Baseball and softball may begin official practice on February 28.

Curriculum Report:

∙ ACCESS testing is ongoing.

∙ Mid-year benchmark testing is completed for K-3rd grade.

∙ State testing update.

Grade School Principal’s Report:

∙ “Positive Give Back” raised $166 this month and will be donated to the Wishes on Wheels of Randolph County.

∙ Parent/Teacher conferences will be held February 17 and 18.

∙ The Book Fair was held this week.

∙ The PTS Walk-a-thon fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, April 21, with a rain date of the 28th.

∙ Completed the Civil Rights Data Collection for the elementary school.

∙ Continuing to have the 5 Essentials Survey filled out by our students and staff.

High School Principal’s Report:

∙ Thank you to Tim Paulus for all he has done to help get the high school tasks completed.

∙ Local Scholarships are available to students.

∙ The 21-22 Curriculum Guide is completed with new changes.

∙ The freshmen class has their scheduling sheets. Mrs. Wolter will work with the other classes by the end of the month.

∙ Alyssa Seymour was given a ball for achieving 1000 points.

∙ Senior Nights were recently held.

∙ The 5 Essential Survey was completed by students; parents have also had the opportunity to complete.

Superintendent’s Report:

∙ Working Cash Bond issue and refinance.

∙ The FY21 audit is complete.

∙ CARES III has been submitted and approved.

∙ After two appeals to FEMA they are approving reimbursements from the summer of 2020, roughly $9,000.

∙ Update on Colbert gym railing.

∙ Pasero has requested bids for mowing at the high school; to be opened February 25 and accepted at the March meeting.

∙ One-to-One update.

∙ Continue to have custodial and bus driving positions open.

∙ Proposing activity bus agreement with SWIBCO to store, maintain, repair and hold regular inspections.

∙ Recommending approval for a 1-year agreement with SWIBCO for pupil transportation for the 2022-23 school year. The increase is roughly between 1.5-2% on the base.

∙ Update on the school calendar for the 2022-23 school year. An overwhelming response to return to Friday as school improvement day.

∙ Covid update.

∙ Board training information.

Motion was made by Mott and seconded by Fricke to approve the consent agenda and items as listed. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Belton voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Malley voted aye, Mott voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

∙ Minutes of the January 20, 2022 regular meeting and executive session;

∙ Bills in the amount of $522,000.05 and payroll in the amount of $499,947.30.

∙ Financial reports.

Motion was made by Caraway and seconded by Fricke to approve payment to J & R Appliances in the amount of $7,180.50 for the HVAC replacement work in the high school kitchen and cafeteria. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Belton voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Malley voted aye, Mott voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Caraway and seconded by Davitz to approve the resolution providing for the Issue of not to exceed $750,000 Taxable General Obligation Limited Tax School Bonds, Series 2022A, and not to exceed $1,500,000 General Obligation Limited Tax Refunding School Bonds, Series 2022B, for the purposes of increasing the Working Cash Fund of the District and refunding certain outstanding bonds of the District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds and authorizing the sale of said bonds to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Belton voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Malley voted aye, Mott voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Mott Approve to approve the resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $2,100,000 General Obligation Refunding School Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2022C, for the purpose of refunding certain outstanding bonds of the District, the pledge of certain revenues to the payment of principal and interest on said bonds, the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay such principal and interest if the pledged revenues are insufficient to make such payment, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Belton voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Malley voted aye, Mott voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Davitz and seconded by Caraway to accept the FY21 audit report as presented by Keith Brinkman of Scheffel-Boyle. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Davitz to approve the seniority lists for certified and non-certified employees as presented. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Caraway and seconded by Malley to set the graduation date for the grade school on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 6 p.m. and the high school on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 3 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Caraway and seconded by Fricke to approve the agreement with SWIBCO for the parking and maintenance of the district activity bus. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Belton voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Malley voted aye, Mott voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Davitz and seconded by Mott to approve a 1-year agreement with SWIBCO to provide student transportation services for the 2022-2023 school year, reflecting roughly a 1.5-2% increase on the base. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Belton voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Malley voted aye, Mott voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Caraway and seconded by Mott to table the resignation of Jacob Cowan as social studies teacher and coach in order to proceed with a pre-termination hearing. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Davitz to accept the resignation of Lenzi Dean as early childhood teacher at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Mott to accept the retirement request of Mary Madrigal as special education teacher at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Davitz and seconded by Belton to employ Erin Belton as high school prom sponsor for the 2021-2022 school year. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Belton voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Malley voted aye, Mott voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Malley to approve the reassignment of Jenni Schroeder from grade school volunteer to assistant volleyball coach for the 2021-2022 school year. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Belton voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Malley voted aye, Mott voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Malley and seconded by Mott to reassign Tim Paulus as district maintenance director with a $2.50 per hour increase beginning February 17, 2022. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Belton voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Malley voted aye, Mott voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Malley to employ Heather Ogle as a 7-hour high school paraprofessional at $12.10 per hour beginning January 31, 2022. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Belton voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Malley voted aye, Mott voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Caraway and seconded by Davitz to employ Karson Colvis as pre-kindergarten teacher for the 2022- 2023 school year. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Belton voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Malley voted aye, Mott voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.

Motion was made by Davitz and seconded by Malley to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted aye.

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