South West Illinois News

Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 Board of Education met April 21.

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: Charles Fricke, Matt Davitz, Debi Caraway, Lorin Mott, Randi Belton, Trent Vasquez. Members absent: Nikki Malley. Davitz motioned, Belton seconded, 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. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Motion by Davitz, seconded by Mott, to return to open session at 8:10 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Pledge of Allegiance.

No public comment was presented to the Board.

Fricke moved, Mott seconded, to approve the consent agenda and items as listed. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

 Agenda and Items as listed;

 Minutes of the March 8, 2022 special meeting and executive session;

 Minutes of the March 14, 2022 special meeting and executive session;

 Minutes of the March 17, 2022 regular meeting and executive session;

 Minutes of the March 23, 2022 Special Meeting and executive session;

 Bills in the amount of $481,725.72 and payroll in the amount of $495,747.79.

 Financial reports.

Maintenance Report:

 A&W finished up with the plumbing issues in the boy’s gym boiler room. Will be covering the ceiling with aluminum to make it look more finished.

 Cleaned back gutter on high school metal shop as well as the area behind the building.

 The board may want to look at some kind of roof coating for both the metal shed and drivers ed shed, they are beginning to rust.

 Built a 6 color shiplap wall in the district office to cover up glue splotches from a bulletin/dry erase board that was taken down.

 Mowed the football field. The zero turn mower was serviced two weeks ago.

 Daikin is coming to look at grade school units and one at the high school, we are having some issues.

 The lights on the outside basketball courts are now working, the meter had gone bad.

Grade School Athletic Report:

 Track season is up and running with a total of 39 students participating. We will be hosting the county track meet on April 25, there are approximately 20 schools.

 Volleyball won regionals and participated in the state tournament. Coach Reese did a great job this year with the team.

 Finalizing coaches for next year.

High School Athletic Report:

 Baseball and softball have begun.

 Track has hosted 3 meets so far this season.

 Congratulations to Paige Vasquez and Kylie Fortner for making the IHSA All-State dance team.

Curriculum Report:

 State testing update.

 End of year benchmark testing to begin.

 School Improvement continues.

Grade School Principal’s Report:

 8th grade graduation is Thursday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m.

 This month’s Positive Give Back raised $218 and will be going to Duke’s Helping Paw.

 Band solos and ensembles were judged the week of April 4. There were 3 Superior, 35 Division 1 and 4 Division 2 ratings. Additionally, 24 events qualified to move onto the state virtual competition at the end of April. Special congratulations to Megan Zimmer who earned a superior, perfect score, on her vocal solo and to David August who earned superiors on both his snare drum and orchestra bell solos.

 Band and Choir both receive superiors as a group. This is the first time they both have received superior in the same year.

 The junior high band concert will be held on Thursday, April 28 at the high school.

 Various classes have end of the year field trips scheduled.

 Fitness day was held April 21.

 Project enrollment numbers for next year were given to the board.

High School Principal’s Report:

 The junior class visited the Wall of Remembrance in Perryville on March 29.

 The music department went to Murphysboro on April 8 for an organizational contest.

 Prom was well attended on April 9. Thank you to Mrs. Belton and Mrs. Appel for coordinating the dance.

 Ben Tracy spoke to students on April 11 about the dangers of social media. He did a great job and we have heard a lot of positive comments from the students and staff regarding his message.

 The PSAT/SAT tests were given on April 13.

 Working on putting the master schedule together. The goal is to have schedules in student hands the last week of the school year.

 An Honors Assembly will be held on Monday, May 9.

 Student Council Easter egg hunt was well attended.

 All school activity for Earth Day on April 22.

Superintendent’s Report:

 Received a FOIA request for tuition cost per student for PEP attendance going back to 2014.

 “Starting Right” training is scheduled for Wednesday, June 22 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

 Staff have spent part of their school improvement time reflecting on the work performed in school and the goals they have for learning and for school and have developed vision and mission statements.

 We have been notified there was duplication in the language of Policy 4:170 and need board approval of the corrected language.

 Asking for approval of amended Board Policy 4:165 to address new laws relating to required age appropriate and evidence informed curriculum for sexual abuse and grooming.

 Requesting approval of amended Board Policy 6:60, amending AP1 as presented, affirming the Board does not adopt AP2 or AP3.

 Recommending approval of substitute and other position pay rates for next year. Most of the increases are either tied to the contractual average set with our association contracts or to keep in line with minimum wage increase.

 Received a letter from ISBE indicating a miscalculation of Evidence Based Funding (EBF) for FY2019 in the amount of $113,898 that the district will be receiving.

 Pasero discussed with the Board on options to have the high school parking lot tested and regularly monitored with notice in an effort to open the blocked off section while maintaining liability coverage. Pasero will follow-up with the architect and legal counsel.

 Environmental Consultants Spring IAQ reports no major concerns. However, we do have compressors out on a couple of our rooftop units at each building that we are working to address. CO2 levels were higher in the 4/5th grade wing. The roof and HVAC units in this area will need replacing soon. Pasero has funds built into the CARES III grant for this.

 Recommending the Sonitrol proposal for additional cameras, lights, panic buttons, and server upgrade totaling $24,295.56.

 Asking for approval of A&W proposals in the amount of $5,984 to install a water heater and run water into the teacher’s workroom to prepare for a special education life skills area.

 Pasero has been looking at a new website provider for our district and school websites. Apptegy was highly recommended for a clean look, user functionality and its ability to tie together the website, all-calls and the social media platforms we already use. The annual cost is significantly higher but it appears to be a much higher quality product. $9,000 for development/installation, $9,200 annual. Pasero would like approval this month to begin development and have prepared prior to the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

 Conducting the first reading of the One-to-One Plan this evening and asking for formal approval at the regular May meeting.

 Bus driving positions are still available. We have a high need for anyone interested, even in a limited schedule would help.

 Approval of an agreement with Alias Race Management to collect, seed, time and score participant entries for our high school track meets. IHSA requires accurate reporting into an online system for postseason seeding.

 Pasero is reviewing a proposal from QNS to upgrade staff computers so they can take on Windows 11 in four years. Hoping to have a revised proposal for May’s regular meeting.

Caraway motioned, Fricke seconded, to approve the amended Board Policy 4:165 Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors as presented to address new laws relating to required age appropriate and evidence informed curriculum. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Belton seconded, to approve the amended Board Policy 4:170 Safety as presented reflecting the correction of duplication from the PRESS Plus 108 policy issue. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded, to approve Board Policy 6:60 Curriculum Content; amending AP1 as presented, affirming the Board does not adopt AP2 or AP3. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

After review, Fricke motioned, Mott seconded, to approve the first reading of the One-to-One Plan for the 2022-2023 school year. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Belton seconded, to approve the revised Mission and Vision Statements of the district as presented by administration. Upon roll call all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Belton seconded, to approve the creation of a high school activity account for the Math Department as requested by Principal Meyer. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded, to approve the agreement with Alias Race Management for collecting, seeding, timing and scoring of participants to track meets during the 2021-2022 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Belton motioned, Mott seconded, to approve the proposal from A&W Plumbing to install a water heater and piping in the high school teacher’s workroom in the amount of $5,984 in preparation of a special education life skills area. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Davitz seconded, to approve a 2-year service contract with Apptegy for website design, installation, and maintenance in the amount of $18,200 initially and $9,200 the second year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Belton seconded, to approve the proposal from Sonitrol to add cameras, emergency lights, panic buttons, and to update system servers district-wide at a cost of $24,295.56, plus an additional monthly charge of $205. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded, to approve substitute pay rates for FY23 as recommended by Pasero. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Belton seconded, to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Chester Education Association for a COVID relief payment. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Fricke seconded, to approve the Memorandum of Understanding for a COVID relief payment with the Chester Service Personnel. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Belton seconded, to approve a one-time COVID relief payment to non-certified employees as per Exhibit A. Roll call vote. Ayes: Fricke, Belton, Mott, Caraway, Vasquez. Abstains: Davitz. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Fricke seconded, to approve tenure status to certified employees. Elizabeth Brown, Alice Decker, Kathy Ellison, Patricia Handel, Evelyn Hankins, Joseph Kassebaum, Amy Miller. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded, to accept the resignation of Trevor Kelkhoff as JV football coach effective immediately. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Mott seconded, to accept the resignation of Heather Ogle as high school paraprofessional as of April 6, 2022. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Mott motioned, Belton seconded, to accept the resignation of Carolyn Kish as high school science teacher at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Fricke seconded, to accept the resignation of Madison Mileur as first grade teacher at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Belton seconded, to approve Jacob Wente and Krista Krieg as FCA sponsors for the 2021-2022 school year. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Mott seconded, to employ fall/winter coaches, volunteers and sponsors for the 2022-2023 school year as recommended per Exhibit B. Roll call vote: Ayes: Mott, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Mott seconded, to amend the start date of Tim Paulus as maintenance director to January 1, 2022. Roll call vote: Ayes: Mott, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Mott seconded, to approve May 2, 2022 as the start date for Jennifer Cole as executive assistant/board secretary. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Mott seconded, to employ Christopher Gilmer as grade school head custodian beginning May 2, 2022 at $15.40 per hour. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Belton seconded, to approve a $3,000 early childhood block grant writing stipend for Melissa Davitz for the 2022-2023 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Mott, Vasquez. Abstains: Davitz. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Mott seconded, to employ summer custodians at $12.00 per hour. Grade school: Jerald Copple, Clayton Andrews, Korbin Jany. High school: Aiden Blechle, Chase Colvis, Camrynn Howie. Roll call vote: Ayes: Mott, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Belton seconded, to employ James Juenger as high school social science teacher for the 2022-2023 school year. Roll call vote: Ayes: Mott, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mott motioned, Caraway seconded, to approve a 10-month administrative contract for Tim Blair as grade school assistant principal for the 2022-2023 school year at a base salary of $66,752. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Belton seconded, to approve a 10-month administrative contract for Shirley Stegmann as curriculum director for the 2022-2023 school year at a base salary of $78,461.29. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Motion by Davitz, second by Belton, to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. (Executive Session at 6:00 p.m.) in the Chester High School FACS Classroom B217, 1901 Swanwick Street, Chester, IL 62233.