South West Illinois News

Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board of Education met April 3.

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 April 3, 2025, in the High School Media Center. President Debi Caraway called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to enter into the special meeting at 6:31 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Pledge of Allegiance

Public Comment

● Stephanie Sabo - Non-Renewal of Mrs. Briggs's Contract

● Amber Forsting - Critical Special Education Needs in our district

● Alicia Ebers - Concerns with District Future

● Nancy Eggemeyer - Concern regarding Mrs. Briggs

● Lenzi Miles - Concerns with Administration

● Erin Eggemeyer - Concerns voting on the extension of this contract for Mrs. Briggs

● Jamie Davis - Consider your decision tonight and consider the district's future

● Chelsie Halterman - Concerns with Administration

● Todd Frazier - Concerns with Mrs. Briggs

Davitz motioned, Malley seconded to approve the employment of Madison Hasemeyer as Grade School Elementary Teacher for the 2025-26 school year pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the employment of Sophie Miller as Grade School Elementary Teacher for the 2025-26 school year pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to approve the employment of Tonya Rodemich as Grade School Elementary Teacher for the 2025-26 school year pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned,Krieg seconded to approve the employment of Caleb Strauss as High School Physical Education Teacher for the 2025-26 school year pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Malley seconded to approve the employment of Logan Doll as Grade School Physical Education Teacher for the 2025-26 school year pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the employment of Wyatt Ruehling as High School Social Studies Teacher for the 2025-26 school year pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the employment of Meg Smith as Jr.High Art Teacher for the 2025-26 school year pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background checkand EHR retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Malley seconded to approve the employment of Samuel Higgerson as High School Student Services Director for the 2025-26 school year pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Wolff seconded to approve the employment of Xavier Tullis as High School English Teacher for the 2025-26 school year pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to approve the reassignment of Priscilla Martinez from 1st grade Teacher to 3rd grade Teacher. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the reassignment of Lindsey Hargis from 1st grade Teacher to Pre-K Teacher. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the reassignment of Rebecca Gielow from 3rd grade Teacher to Pre-K Teacher. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the reassignment of Jenny Krantz from Jr. High Art Teacher to Pre-K Teacher. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the employment of Armada Venus as Grade School Paraprofessional at $17.10/hr effective March 4, 2025 pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Malley seconded to approve the employment of Michael Stefani as Grade School Head Custodian at $22.70/hr pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey Nays: none. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Fricke seconded to accept the letter of intent to retire from Lila Zeiger a High School Teacher for the end of the 2024-25 school year retroactive to March 19, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the resignation of Sara Hammel a High School Teacher effective the end of the 2024-25 school year retroactive to March 19, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Wolff seconded to approve the resignation of Stephanie Kennedy a Grade School Teacher effective the end of the 2024-25 school year retroactive to March 19, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the resignation of Karson Colvis a Grade School Teacher and High School Cheerleading coach effective the end of the 2024-25 school year retroactive to March 19, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the resignation of Kimberly Ketterer, a Special Education Coordinator effective June 12, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the resignation of Armada Venus a Grade School Paraprofessional effective March 10, 2025 retroactive to March 19, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to approve the resignation of Preston Bogard, Head Maintenance effective April 16, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to accept Carrie Lutman as High School Softball volunteer coach retroactive to March 19, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Krieg seconded to accept Katelyn Shinabargar as Grade School Golf volunteer coach retroactive to March 19, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Krieg seconded to approve resending Tim Brueggeman’s Head Custodian job officer retroactively on February 21, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the FMLA request for Kasey Crook a Grade School Social Worker beginning March 21, 2025 through June 2, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the FMLA request for Tina Clark a High School Cafeteria personnel beginning February 28, 2025 through May 29, 2025. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Wolff seconded to approve to employ Kimberly Briggs as Superintendent with a 5-year contract from 2025-30, retroactive to March 19, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Malley, Wolff, Krieg, Nays: Fricke, Coffey Motion carried.

Malley motioned, Wolff seconded to adjourn the special meeting at 7:12 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. (Executive Session at 6:00 p.m.) in the Chester Community High School Juergens Gym located at 1901 Swanwick Street, Chester, IL 62233.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3096/CCSD/5529429/April_3__2025_Board_Minutes.pdf