Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board of Education met Jan. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 held their Regular Meeting 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. President Vasquez called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Motion was made by Belton and seconded by Malley 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 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.
Motion was made by Davitz and seconded by Fricke to return to open session at 7:35 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 Davitz to approve the agenda and items as listed. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.
The board received cards from Kristin Wolter, Tara Knop, Lindsey Hargis, and the Junior High Crew thanking the Board of Education for their Amazon Christmas gift cards.
No public comment was presented to the Board.
A public hearing was called to order at 7:42 p.m. concerning the intent of the Board of Education to sell bonds in the amount not to exceed $750,000 for the purpose of increasing the working cash fund of the district. The working cash funds will be used to supplement the operating budget of the district and pay for projects as needed.
The board adjourned the public hearing and returned to regular session at 7:43 p.m.
Maintenance Report:
∙ Boilers at the high school have been fixed.
∙ All emergency and exit lights at the high school are now working.
∙ Window blinds were installed in the high school offices.
∙ Picked up and distributed a pallet of salt to both schools. In need of a new motor and transmission for the grade school salt spreader.
Grade School Athletic Report:
∙ Both girls and boys basketball seasons are finishing up. Girls 8th grade night was held on January 4 and boys on January 20.
∙ Cheerleading 8th grade night was also held on January 20, this was their last game.
∙ The 5/6th grade basketball seasons are underway. The boys placed third at the Steeleville tournament.
∙ Volleyball will have their first game on January 25. Coach Reese is excited to get the season underway.
High School Athletic Report:
∙ Mr. Paulus hung the 1,000 point banner last week. There are a few names that need to be added and should be in within a couple weeks.
∙ Girls basketball team finished second in the MWC tournament. Alyssa Seymour and Kailyn Absher made All-Tournament Team and Camryn Howie was named MVP of the tournament.
∙ The boys CIT begins this week. Chester plays Lovejoy in the first round on Thursday.
∙ The Cheerleading squad finished 9th out of 30 teams in the Small Varsity Division at State in Springfield over the weekend.
Curriculum Report:
∙ The ACCESS testing window has recently been adjusted to extend until March 4.
∙ Third quarter RTI began at the high school on January 10 and is being planned to start soon for grades 6-8.
∙ Mid-year benchmark assessments are being administered for K-3 in January. Once testing is completed for a grade level, members of the data team meet with the grade level teachers to review the data and discuss next steps for students.
∙ Grades K-5 are in the process of previewing a new textbook series for both science and social studies.
Grade School Principal’s Report:
∙ The CGS Positive Give Back for January raised $173 and will be donated to the charity of Mrs. Colonel’s choice.
∙ PTS met on January 11. They plan to hold their walkathon this Spring for their fundraiser.
∙ CGS will be hosting another book fair in February that will coincide with parent/teacher conferences.
∙ Grafton stated that Mr. Blair is doing a great job but is having difficulty finding officials for events.
High School Principal’s Report:
∙ Finalizing grades for first semester.
∙ Students returned to school on January 4 using lockers and the old Yondr system. It was a smooth transition the first week and staff is loving seeing kids in the halls again.
∙ The Course Description Book is being finalized.
∙ Mrs. Wolter will begin scheduling with the juniors/sophomores by the end of this month.
∙ 5Essentials Survey is open and we have a plan to get it pushed out to the parents.
∙ Lady Jackets placed 2nd in the MWC.
∙ Second semester is always a busy time at CHS with the basketball season, Scholar Bowl, open gyms for spring sports and the Theater department.
∙ Local scholarships will be ready for seniors in the beginning of February.
Superintendent’s Report:
∙ Our FY21 audit is finishing up, hopeful to have it ready for February.
∙ Submitted and making corrections to the CARES III grant.
∙ PSIC Insurance Cooperative will return $13,755 to the district.
∙ Work is almost complete on the west side of the building. Supplies and weather slowed down the overall timing.
∙ Architects are putting together a proposal to replace the rail in Colbert Gym as well as looking at hand rails for the center aisles.
∙ We received word that our maintenance grant was approved, this would be applied towards the resurfacing of the track.
∙ Recommending approval of the quote from Korando for $7,173 to replace the ac/furnace in the football coach’s office.
∙ Recommending a 36-month renewal with QNS that includes a dedicated tech that is needed if we are to move forward with 1:1 instruction.
∙ Continue to have openings for custodians and bus drivers.
∙ Posted positions include social worker, math specialist, EL and art.
∙ Activity bus agreement.
∙ We have a local business that may be interested in keeping our old board table at their place until we would ever want it back. Materials were mostly from the old gym floor.
∙ Fricke brought up the idea of a teacher hall of fame to recognize and celebrate teachers that have serviced the district. Fricke commented that it was only an idea at this point and may require a committee. He asked to formally present the idea at the February regular meeting.
Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Davitz 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 December 16, 2021 regular meeting and executive session;
∙ Bills in the amount of $411,667.80 and payroll in the amount of $472,416.89.
∙ Financial reports.
Motion was made by Davitz and seconded by Belton to approve the second reading and adopt PRESS Plus Policy Issue 108 as presented. Upon roll call all members voted aye.
Motion was made by Caraway and seconded by Fricke to accept the semi annual review of closed meeting minutes and approve status and destruction of audio recordings exceeding 18 months. Upon roll call Mott voted aye, Malley voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Belton voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Caraway voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Davitz to approve a 36 month service agreement with Quality Network Solutions to include a district dedicated technician from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025 as presented. 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 Belton and seconded by Caraway to approve the quote from Korando Heating of $7,173 to replace the AC/furnace unit in the high school football coach’s office. 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 FMLA request of Robin Renfroe beginning December 16, 2021 and returning in February 2022. Upon roll call all members voted aye.
Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Belton to accept the intent to retire from Steve Colonel at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year and approve participation in the 6% retirement benefit program as allowed in the collective bargaining agreement. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Belton 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 accept the intent to retire from Sue Colonel at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year and approve participation in the 6% retirement benefit program as allowed in the collective bargaining agreement. Upon roll call Mott voted aye, Malley voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Belton voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Caraway voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Davitz and seconded by Belton to accept the intent to retire from Gail Kordys at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year and approve participation in the 6% retirement benefit program as allowed in the collective bargaining agreement. Upon roll call Mott voted aye, Malley voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Belton voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Caraway voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Belton to accept the intent to retire from Mary Bohnert at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year and approve participation in the 6% retirement benefit program as allowed in the collective bargaining agreement. Upon roll call Caraway voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Belton 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 Belton to approve Charles Fricke as 5/6th grade boys basketball volunteer coach for the 2021-2022 school year. Upon roll call all members voted aye.
Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Davitz to approve Jennifer Schroeder as grade school volleyball volunteer coach for the 2021-2022 school year. Upon roll call all members voted aye
Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Belton to approve Jacob Wente as high school baseball volunteer coach for the 2021-2022 school year. Upon roll call all members voted aye.
Motion was made by Caraway and seconded by Fricke to approve Jacob Cowan as high school FCA sponsor for the 2021- 2022 school year. Upon roll call all members voted aye.
Motion was made by Fricke and seconded by Malley to employ Jacob Wente as high school physical education teacher for the 2022-2023 school year. Upon roll call Mott voted aye, Malley voted aye, Davitz voted aye, Belton voted aye, Fricke voted aye, Caraway voted aye, Vasquez voted aye. 7 aye, 0 nay; motion carried.
Motion was made by Davitz and seconded by Belton to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted aye.
https://p16cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_105222/File/January%2020,%202022%20Regular%20Mtg%20Brief.pdf
Alerts Sign-up