South West Illinois News

Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board of Education met Jan. 19.

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 January 19, 2023, in High School FACS Classroom B217. President Trent Vasquez called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Mott motioned, Caraway seconded to enter into executive session at 6:02 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Fricke, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Malley seconded to return to open session at 7:43 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Fricke, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Pledge of Allegiance

Superintendent Kimberly Briggs presented a letter from A & W Plumbing and Heating regarding their consideration of a bid proposal for the upcoming Grade School HVAC Replacement project.

The board received Thank You cards from Bill Grafton, Tim Blair, Patricia Handel, Nicole Wingerter, Tammy Liefer, and Rosie Tindall in appreciation for the gift cards they received for Christmas.

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

● Agenda and items as listed:

● December 15, 2022 regular meeting and executive session minutes;

● Bills in the amount of $290,564.50 and payroll in the amount of $508,829.11;

● Financial reports

High School Athletic Director’s Report

● Dance team will compete in the IHSA Sectionals in Effingham on January 21st.

● Cheerleading competed in their conference competition on January 16th. Dyson Helmers and Bethany Baughman were selected as All-Conference Cheerleaders. They will compete in Sectional Competition in O’Fallon on January 28th.

● Girls basketball went 2-2 at their Christmas Tournament in Centralia and Boys basketball went 1-3 at the Pinckneyville Christmas Tournament.

● Girls basketball won the Chester Invitational Tournament with a 32-27 win over Marissa. Camryn Howie and Lexit Mott were named to the All-Tournament Team and Camryn was also named tournament MVP.

● Boys basketball finished 2nd in the Chester Invitational Tournament. Gavin Schroeder, Chance Mott and Trace Frick all made the All-Tournament Team.

● Baseball and Softball officially start practice on Monday, February 27th.

Grade School Athletic Director’s Report

● 8th grade recognition night is January 19th.

● We play Red Bud, at Red Bud, in Regionals on January 24th.

● 6th grade boys basketball team took 3rd place in the Steeleville Tournament

● 5th and 6th grade boys basketball games have started and the kids are all enjoying the season

● Girls basketball season is complete. They lost the first round of regionals to Smithton.

● First girls 5th and 6th grade basketball game is January 31st.

● First volleyball game is January 26th.

● Working on this year's track schedule.

Maintenance Report

● Repaired some damaged window sill and trim in the teachers lounge.

● TMI replaced another compressor on DOAS unit 3 above the kindergarten area.

● Zero turn mower has been serviced.

● Grade School truck has been serviced.

● A & W finished the repairs to the first floor boiler room pump. They also installed water shut offs on supply lines to room 113.

● Contacted Jeff Korando about the economizer for the weight room RTU and he is also looking into what's wrong with the bandroom RTU.

● Grade school received their new ice machine.

Curriculum Report

● Mrs. Decker, Mrs. Ruch and Mrs. Childs have made ACCESS testing schedules that have been shared with teachers and testing is underway.

● Mid–year Star testing for grades 3-12 are nearly completed.

● Kindergarten and 1st grade will complete mid-year benchmark assessments the week of January 16th.

● 2nd and 3rd grade will complete mid-year benchmark assessments the week of January 23rd.

● Finalizing accommodations for grades 9 and 10 PSAT and grade 11 SAT in January and February

● Will begin entering grades 3rd-8th accommodations for IAR at the end of January.

Grade School Principal’s Report

● Fire Marshall visited on January 4th.

● Positive give back for January raised $272 to be donated to Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Tree of Remembrance.

● PTS met on January 10th. Spring walkathon is scheduled for April 20th with a rain date of April 27th.

● Jr Jacket Power Hour tutoring began again January 10th.

● Our second book fair is February 13th-17th which coincides with parent teacher conferences.

● Tentatively scheduling 8th grade graduation for Thursday, May 18th at 6:00 pm. Gown fitting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24th at 1:00 pm.

High School Principal’s Report

● Fire Marshall and ROE completed their annual walk-through January 4th.

● The Just for Jackets program has started creating the pantry inside the media center and should be completed by the end of the month.

● The 2023-2024 master schedule is nearing completion. Mrs. Hawkins and the administration met with all the departments and worked closely to develop a schedule that will work best for everyone.

● The teacher workroom has been relocated from C130 back to A107 and we are putting some fresh new touches into the space.

● C130 will now become the new Esports location. With plans of this space also becoming the future classroom where the yearbook class will be located.

● Upgrades were made to the check out stations and the food distribution line in order to reduce the amount of time students spend waiting in line.

● Searching for an English teacher and Math teacher for next school year.

Superintendent’s Report

● Thank you to the Chester Education Association for putting together the Christmas party for the staff.

● January 3rd all staff participated in Active Shooter training. We will continually reevaluate our Crisis Management Plan along with key stakeholders in the community.

● On January 4th we had our Health Life Safety walk-through with the ROE and State Fire Marshall. No report yet but no major issues.

● Reviewing and updating the Teacher Handbook to a Staff Handbook to correlate with board policies.

● Recommending to initiate the Jacket Care before and after school program.

● Completed the ASA - Annual Statement of Affairs but will update it when the audit is complete.

● Started working on the Living Skills lab for special needs students using funds from our ARP IDEA grant.

● Started looking at new playground equipment for Grade School special needs students.

● Through grant funds we were able to replace the washer and dryers at both schools.

● Recommended changes in the school calendar as presented.

● Recommended graduation dates for both schools as presented.

● Conducted 2nd reading of Press Plus 110 updates

Caraway motioned, Davitz seconded to not approve a Vertex Leadership Group warranty on the used Chromebooks. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Malley, Davitz, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Mott seconded to approve the second reading of board Press Plus Policy 110 updates. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Mott seconded to approve the Jacket Care before and after school program. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the Memorandum of Understanding established with Chester Education Association for Esport Sponsor. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Caraway seconded to approve new tables for the high school cafeteria from School Fix Catalog for $37,405.54. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Malley, Davitz, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Mott seconded to approve establishing a HSA account for Just for Jackets. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mott motioned, Fricke seconded to approve establishing a HSA account for ESports. Roll call vote. Ayes: Davitz, Malley, Mott, Caraway, Fricke, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Mott seconded to approve establishing a HSA account for FCA. Roll call vote. Ayes: Malley, Mott, Davitz, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to approve establishing a GSA account for Jacket Care. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Mott seconded to accept the bid analysis for Chester Grade School Roof & HVAC replacement with Heartland Mechanical Alternate #1 at $703,000. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Malley, Davitz, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Mott seconded to approve Grade School Facility Request for Kids For Christ after school program. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to approve graduation dates for Grade School on Thursday May 18, 2023 at 6 pm and High School on Sunday May 21, 2023 at 3 pm. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Fricke seconded to adopt the amended 2022-23 school calendar as presented. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Mott seconded to approve revised Board of Education regular meeting dates for calendar year 2023. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve a certified employee’s request for leave of absence through 3rd quarter. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraways, Frickey, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mott motioned, Fricke seconded to accept the resignation of Diana Batten as Grade School Paraprofessional effective January 6, 2023. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Mott motioned, Fricke seconded to accept the resignation of Candyce Giesler as High School Math Teacher effective at the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Mott motioned, Caraway seconded to accept the resignation of Jerina Reese as Grade School Nurse effective at the conclusion of the 2022–23 school year. Upon roll all, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Mott motioned, Fricke seconded to approve to employ Lucas Thompson as High School custodian substitute at $13.00/hr effective January 6, 2023. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mott motioned, Malley seconded to approve to employ Shane Bicket as High School custodian for 2 hrs/day (4 hrs max weekly) at $13.00/hr effective January 6, 2023. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Malley, Davitz, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Mott seconded to approve to employ William Schuwerk as High School custodian for 2 hrs/day (4 hrs max weekly) at $13.00/hr effective January 6, 2023. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mott motioned, Fricke seconded to approve to employ Heather LaChance as a Jacket Care child care worker at $13.00/hr effective January 30, 2023. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mott motioned, Davitz seconded to approve to employ Maggie Clendenin as a Jacket Care child care worker at $13.00/hr effective January 30, 2023 pending paperwork. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Malley, Davitz, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to approve to employ Olivia Earl as a Jacket Care child care worker at $13.00/hr effective January 30, 2023 pending paperwork. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Caraway motioned, Mott seconded to approve to employ McKenna LaChance as a Jacket Care child care worker at $13.00/hr effective January 30, 2023 pending paperwork. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Malley, Davitz, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Mott seconded to approve to employ Matthew Renfroe as a Jacket Care child care worker at $13.00/hr effective January 30, 2023 pending paperwork. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to approve to employ Jonathan Renfroe as a Jacket Care child care worker at $13.00/hr effective January 30, 2023 pending paperwork. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Mott seconded to approve to employ Aubrie Medford as a Jacket Care child care worker at $13.00/hr effective January 30, 2023 pending paperwork. Roll call vote. Ayes: Mott, Malley, Davitz, Fricke, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mott motioned, Fricke seconded to approve to employ Katelyn Shinabargar as a Jacket Care child care worker at $13.00/hr effective January 30, 2023. Roll call vote. Ayes: Fricke, Davitz, Malley, Mott, Caraway, Vasquez. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to approve Mike Liefer as Girls Varsity Track Volunteer Coach for the 2023 season. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Mott seconded to approve Katelyn Shinbargar as High School Softball Volunteer Coach for the 2023 season. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Davitz and seconded by Fricke to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held Wednesday, February 15, 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.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3096/CCSD/2792189/Jan_19__2023_Regular_Mtg_Brief.pdf