Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board of Education met Dec. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 held a Regular Meeting on December 15, 2022, in High School FACS Classroom B217. President Trent Vasquez called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Caraway motioned, Mott seconded to enter into executive session at 6:05 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body and for student disciplinary cases. Roll call vote. Ayes: Belton, Caraway, Davitz, Fricke, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.
High School Principal Jeremy Blechle was present in executive session and exited at 7:23 p.m.
Caraway motioned, Mott seconded to return to open session at 7:48 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Belton, Caraway, Davitz, Fricke, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Superintendent Kimberly Briggs conducted the Tax Levy hearing and reviewed the proposed 2022 Tax Levy in the amount of $3,387,582 for Chester Community Unit School District 139.
Pledge of Allegiance
No public comment was presented to the board.
Caraway motioned, Belton seconded to approve the consent agenda and items as listed. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.
● Agenda and items as listed:
● November 17, 2022 regular meeting and executive session minutes;
● Bills in the amount of $394,999.76 and payroll in the amount of $530,991.69;
● Financial reports
High School Senior Hannah Colvis presented to the board a “Just for Jackets” program proposal. This program will mimic a community food pantry and allow CHS students to readily access food and other hygiene necessities. Donations could be gathered throughout local businesses as well as various fundraisers to support the project. Hannah has visited the Red Bud “Musketeer Market” for ideas as well as spoken to individuals throughout various local businesses who have given their approval of support in donating items.
Jesse Heath, Mrs. Hammel’s English IV student, presented to the board the process of completing the Egyptian Electric Classroom Empowerment $500 Grant. The class completed the application by voicing the “Importance of Procuring a Diverse Library”. He explained the drive, teamwork and determination the class performed in order to execute and achieve this goal. The grant money will be used to purchase new and up to date books for the CHS Library.
High School Athletic Director’s Report
● Girls basketball started their season at the Sparta tournament where they went 2 and 2. Emma Diskey and Camrynn Howie both were named to the All Tournament Team.
● Boys basketball played at the Trico/Murphysboro Tournament after Thanksgiving and went 2 and 2. Devante Palacio was named to the All Tournament Team.
● Boys basketball will play in the Pinckneyville Tournament over Christmas break.
● We will host the girls tournament January 2nd-7th and boys tournament January 9th-14th.
● Dance team competed at Belleville West on December 10th and brought home 1st place in single A Open Pom.
● Cheerleading team will have their first competition at Edwardsville on Sunday, December 10th.
Grade School Athletic Director’s Report
● Boys basketball regionals are scheduled for the week of January 24th.
● Girls basketball regionals are scheduled for the week of January 10th.
● 5th/6th grade boys and girls basketball teams begin their regular season games in January.
● Volleyball open gyms have started and tryouts are on December 20th.
● Regular volleyball practice season begins after Christmas break.
● Chester is the regional organizer for volleyball this year.
Maintenance Report
● Painted handicap parking spaces at High School.
● “One Way” and “Buses Only” signs are up to help ease traffic flow.
● Grade school truck being serviced this week.
● Kay changed the oil in the paint striper.
● Having a compressor replaced on DOAS unit 3 at the grade school.
● Building miscellaneous props for the theater class.
Curriculum Report
● PSAT/NMSQT Fall 2022 scores are in.
● High School students took mid-year benchmark testing, Star reading and math assessments in December.
● Grades 2nd-8th will take Star reading and math assessments in January.
● Acadience (DIBELS) benchmark assessments will be administered for Kindergarten-3rd grade in January for mid-year benchmark.
● Working on training for new components to our Renaissance program and will provide training to teachers in January. Also working on training for Freckle and Lalilo programs which integrate with Renaissance and Star testing and will also train teachers for those programs in January.
Grade School Principal’s Report
● Dental Safari was at the school November 29th and 30th.
● Second quarter ends December 20th and grades are due January 6th.
● Community Give Back collected $777 which will go to Paul Shinabargar and family.
● Big shout out and thank you to Mrs. Ponder and Mrs. Reese for their hard work in gathering donations and organizing Christmas gifts for our students.
● Mr. & Mrs. Colonel did a very nice job with the kids concerts again this year. The 6th-8th grade band concert was held December 1st and the 1st-4th grade Christmas concerts were held December 8th.
● Mr. & Mrs. Colonel with band and chorus collected a total of $2,629.57 to be donated to the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry.
● Employees each decorated a gingerbread man and we held daily drawings for prizes.
● Mr. Blair and Mr. Grafton are providing lunch to the staff on Monday December 19th.
● New signs are up for parking and it’s been going smoothly.
High School Principal’s Report
● Elk Students of the Month for October were Aidan Blechle and Camrynn Howie. Paige Vasquez and Will Schuwerk were chosen for November.
● Congratulations to Mrs. Durbin and Mrs. Hammel for winning the EECA $500 grant for their classroom.
● CHS welcomed guest speaker Kate Garnes on November 15th. The student body was very receptive and respectful to her presentation on being a “Gladiator” and surrounding yourself with positive people.
● A pep rally was held to acknowledge fall sports team and individual successes and to kick start the winter sports season. Mrs. Kern organized a fun dance with staff members pairing up with dance and cheer team members to conclude the pep rally.
● We have implemented a Grade Level and Problem Solving team program. This will help to identify at risk students based on academics, behavior and/or social/emotional needs. Plus develop and implement interventions accordingly.
● Randolph County StartUP held their first recruitment meeting on November 28th. We are looking to enroll 5-6 seniors into the program next year. This will be the biggest class Chester has ever had attending the program.
● CHS music program has been busy with their holiday season performances within the community.
● Senior Tux and Drape pictures were December 7th.
● Last week Mrs. Hankins and the National Honors Society worked with Mrs. Wingerter at the grade school Santa’s Cottage to help students wrap gifts purchased and it was a wonderful experience for everyone.
Superintendent’s Report
● Updating signs and paint on the drive at the high school to make it a Bus Lane Only will take effect in January. Also added 2 handicapped parking spots at the end of the bus lane.
● ALL STAFF will participate in Active Shooter Training on January 3rd and we ask that the community do not enter the buildings during this time.
● January 4th, Health Life Safety Visit
● Reviewing Crisis Management Plan
● Sent survey to parents and staff on initiating before and after school care.
● Training has begun to transition our student system from Skyward and switch to Teacherease.
● New copiers being delivered to each building December 20th.
● Levy request for 2022 and resolution for abating the tax for 2022 to pay debt service for district general obligations.
● Demonstration of Promethium boards was presented to teachers this month.
● Reviewing 1:1 in classrooms
● Press Plus 110 updates
Frike motioned, Mott seconded to adopt 2022 Certificate of Tax Levy for Chester School District as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Caraway motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the purchase of staff gift cards for Christmas. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Malley, Belton, Fricke, Vasquez. Abstain: Davitz. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Mott motioned, Belton seconded to approve the resolution abating the tax heretofore levied for the 2022 to pay debt service on the District’s General Obligation School Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2015A. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Malley seconded to approve the resolution abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2022 to pay debt service on the District’s Taxable General Obligation Refunding School Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2022C. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Malley, Davitz, Belton, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Caraway motioned, Malley seconded to approve to employ Lisa Ketchum as grade school paraprofessional at $13.10/hr effective December 12, 2022. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Mott seconded to approve to employ Vicki Hoskin as high school paraprofessional at $13.10/hr effective December 16, 2022. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Belton, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.
The board tabled to approve Vertex Leadership Group to provide a 2 year warranty on 495 used chromebooks. They conducted the first reading of board policy updates 110 and discussed the need for before and after school care for students.
Motion by Malley and seconded by Belton to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. (Executive Session at 6:00 p.m.) in the Chester High School FACS Classroom B217 located at 1901 Swanwick Street, Chester, IL 62233.
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