South West Illinois News

Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board of Education met Dec. 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 December 19, 2024, in the High School Juergens Gym. President Debi Caraway called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to enter into the executive meeting at 6:01 p.m for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Malley seconded to come out of executive session at 7:37 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Coffey motioned, Malley seconded to enter into regular session at 7:39 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Pledge of Allegiance

Davitz motioned, Malley seconded to recess the regular meeting at 7:41 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to enter into a Tax Levy hearing at 7:42 p.m. for Chester School District No. 139 for 2024. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Public Comment

● None

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the proposed Property Tax Levy Increase for Chester School District No. 139 for 2024. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to adjourn the Tax Levy hearing at 7:45 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Malley seconded to enter back into the regular meeting at 7:46 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Public Comment

● Chuck Fricke - Employee Hall of Fame

Board Correspondence

● Christmas card sent from Scott Bollinger

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

● Agenda and items as listed:

● November 21, 2024 Regular and Executive meeting minutes;

● Bills in the amount of $730,288.52 and payroll in the amount of $639,612.45;

● Financial reports

Athletic Director Report

CHS

● SICA All-South Volleyball Team is Elaina Lutman and Gianna Eggemeyer

● SICA All South Football Team is Zain Al-Jassim, Devante Palacio, Ethan Colvis, Nate Maes, Kolton Jany, and Alex Williamson

● Dance placed 1st both for Jazz and Pom routines at Herrin

● Next Dance competition is January 4, 2025

● Next Cheer competition is January 5, 2025

● Girls Basketball players Jessica Stumpe and Lexie Mott were selected to the All-Tournament team at the Sparta Tournament where Lexie Mott was also nominated the Tournament’s MVP

● LJMWC is set for January 6th-11th with 8 teams competing, Chester, Trico, Sparta, Marissa, New Athens, Coben, Dupo, and Steeleville

● Boys Basketball player Trey McCartney was selected to the DuQuoin Tip Off All-Tournament team while Tray Peters was selected for the sportsmanship award of the Tournament

● Perryville War of the Boarders is Saturday, December 21st

● CIT is set for January 13th-18th with 8 teams competing, Chester, Valmeyer, Perryville, Saxony, Valle, Gibault, New Athens, and Sparta

CGS

● Regionals for Boys Basketball is January 29th and 31st

● Regionals for Girls Basketball is January 14th and 16th

● Open Gym for Volleyball started Saturday’s for 6th-8th grade girls

Other

● Billy Belton will be organizing Youth Speed Training, with the help of other certified approved coaches, for any 5th-8th grade athletes starting January 25, 2025

Maintenance

● New wind breaker banners installed around the basketball/pickleball courts at the high school

● Geisler Roofing repaired some leaks noticed during the last few rain storms

● Samron has been working on the glass barriers in the Colbert Gym

● Foppe Visual is working on their installation of vinyl graphics throughout the building of the high school as well as preparing to install the wayfinding signs around the parking lot for easier direction and flow of traffic

● A stump that was a safety hazard for the children was removed from the grade school playground

● Repaired a few doors at the high school, one being a closure issue and the other has a technician coming to service their equipment as it pertains to their door holding magnets that release when a fire alarm event occurs

● A few exit signs and emergency lights have been installed this includes the boiler room by Colbert gym, in room 114, and the laundry custodial closet at the grade school

● RP Coatings did touch up work on the newly painted doors and installed glass kits in said doors

Curriculum

● Winter Benchmark testing will began on December 2nd

● With the exception of some makeup testing for absent students, all K-12 Winter Benchmark testing has been completed

● Our SEL (Social Emotional Learning) lessons began on November 25th

● Will resume SEL lessons on January 13, 2025

● Access for ELLs: Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners – Jan 15-March 4 for Grades K-12

● IAR: Illinois Assessment for Readiness – March 3-April 18 for Grades 3-8

● ISA: Illinois Science Assessment –March 3-April 30 for Grades 5,8,11

● ACT with Writing: March 25, 2025 for Grade 11

● PreACT Secure: March 25, 2025 for Grade 9, 10

● DLM-AA: Dynamic Learning Map Alternate Assessment – March 12-May 7

High School Principal

● Santa served lunch, creating a joyful atmosphere for students and staff

● The staff engaged in a spirited “Great Gift Exchange” activity, where participants could strategically exchange and “steal” gift bags throughout the day, fostering camaraderie and team building

● The high school hosted two Christmas programs from the grade school and a performance by the high school music department. Mr. Colonel and his students delivered an exceptional performance, showcasing their musical and dance talents

● The student council organized a competitive tree decorating contest, encouraging classroom creativity and school spirit. Additionally, National Honor Society students supported younger students during Santa’s Kottage activities at the grade school

● Several notable educational experiences occurred this month including field trips to the Science Center, Senior English class visited Southern Illinois University, and Mrs. Hammel’s English classes read self-created children’s books at the grade school

● A FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) information night was held on December 4th to support students college preparation

● Newly installed wayfinding signs have received overwhelmingly positive feedback. These signs address previous navigation challenges, particularly for athletic facilities and parking lots, significantly improving visitor experience

● Final examinations are currently in progress and will conclude on Friday, December 20th

Grade School Principal

● Dental Safari was at school on November 25th to see students. They will be returning for a follow up

● The 2nd Quarter ends December 20th

● Staff Comfy Clothes day brought in $298 and proceeds were donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Station Library

● The 6th-8th grade Band concert was held on December 5th in the high school gym

● Pre-K and Early Childhood held a small Christmas program in the grade school gym on December 11th

● 1st-4th grade Christmas program concluded all programs on December 12th at the high school

● Santa’s Kottage was held in the gym during the school day December 9th-12th

● Staff Secret Santa started at the beginning of this week and will end tomorrow

● Santa visited grades PreK-5th on Monday and brought small treats to all grades

● Christmas break will start December 23rd with staff returning on January 6th and students on January 7th

Special Education

● The special education students recently completed their winter AIMSweb+ benchmark testing in reading and math. We will use this data to help shape our instruction and interventions

● The Chester Lions Club recently gifted a lighted full page magnifier to a 4th grade student with visual impairment. Thank you to the Lions Club for your support to our students

● The Early Childhood Special Education students and preschool students recently had their Christmas program

● The district’s Social Emotional Learning programs of Second Step at the grade school and Character Strong at high school have recently started. These will benefit all students, but especially special education students, who often struggle with emotion regulation

● The high school Special Education students who are in the STEP program recently worked at the food pantry, where they helped to sort food and prepare it to be donated. The students are learning skills to prepare them for life after high school

Student Council

● Fundraising: Texas Roadhouse rolls and butter, and chocolate bars

Superintendent

Governance

● Attended Joint Conference in Chicago with Mrs. Caraway, Mr. Davitz, Mr.Blair, and Mr. Blechle

● We are developing a REACH - Resilience Education to Advance Community Healing team for the district through a grant at the ROE to assist with our SEL needs

● It was recommended that I work with the ISBE team to revise SEL standards

● Working with Warning Lites of Southern Illinois for more visible light for crosswalk

Budget/Finance

● Tax Levy Certificate

● NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant

Building and Grounds

● We are excited to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for the Chester Early Childhood Center took place on Monday, December 16, at 3:30 p.m.

● We’re excited about the new signage around the Chester high school campus, showcasing our name and pride. These latest additions will help highlight the spirit of our school and the strength of our community Classroom

● Collaborating with a presenter to provide professional development focused on PBIS and Restorative Practices, and our return on January 6th

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to conduct a 2nd reading and approval of Press Policy Issue 117. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Fricke seconded to conduct a 1st reading of Press Policy 4:140. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Fricke seconded to adopt 2024 Certificate of Tax Levy for Chester School District as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to approve proposal with Lohman Lawn Care Inc. at $600 per mow at high school, $400 per mow at grade school, and $100 per mow at Early Childhood center. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to approve the corrected minutes as presented for June 20, 2024. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the corrected minutes as presented for September 19, 2024. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Davitz seconded to consider approving a Resolution in supporting the Vision 2030 education improvement policy. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the bid for wiring technology (e,g, computers, promethium boards) at the Chester Early Childhood center for $30,603.66. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the phone system at the Chester Early Childhood center for $20,304.31. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Wolff seconded to approve the security entry and cameras at the Chester Early Childhood center for $64,806.48. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to consider approving a contract with Pepsi MidAmerica Co. and Chester CUSD 139. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Malley seconded to approve the reassignment of Amanda Berry from High School Cafeteria Aide to Paraprofessional effective December 12, 2024. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the employment of Alexis Curry as High School Cafeteria Aide at $17.10/hr pending EHR and background check. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Davtiz seconded to approve Clayton Andrews as Grade School Volunteer Assistant boys Basketball coach for the 2024-2025 school year. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to approve Garrison Collier as High School Volunteer Assistant Track coach and High School Volunteer Assistant Baseball coach for the 2024-2025 school year. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Malley seconded to approve the resignation of Tim Lochhead, High School Physical Education teacher, effective December 2, 2024. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the request for FMLA for Jamie Davis, Paraprofessional, beginning on November 19, 2024 to February 28, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the request for FMLA for Gina Hafertepe, Paraprofessional, for November 26, 2024 to December 9, 2024. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Wolff, Davitz, Malley, Krieg, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.

Krieg motioned, Coffey seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3096/CCSD/5205966/December_19__2024_Board_Minutes.pdf