South West Illinois News

Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board of Education met June 17.

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 June 17, 2025, in the High School Juergens Gym. President Debi Caraway called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to enter the regular meeting at 7:15 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Public Comment

● None

Board Correspondence

● None

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

● Approval of Agenda

● May 15, 2025, Regular and Executive Meeting Minutes, and June 11, 2025, Special Meeting Minutes ● Bills in the amount of $209,156.80 and payroll in the amount of $602,962.10

● Financial Reports

Athletic Director Report

CHS

● Baseball Awards - Mr.Offense - Kolton Jany, Golden Glove - Trayton Peters, Clutch Performer - Brenden Malley

● All Conference Team - Kolton Jany, Brenden Malley, Ethan Colvis

● Softball Awards - Offensive Player of the Year - Elaine Lutman, Defensive Player of the Year - Camryn Wolff, ERA Award - Lexie Mott

● All Conference Team - Elaine Lutman and Lexie Mott

● Elaine Lutman named to the All State Softball Team

● Girls Track Awards - Field MVP - Jessica Stumpe, Track MVP - Joella Eggemeyer, Captain and Co-Relay Queen - Gianna Eggemeyer, Co-Relay Queen - Lilly Diskey

● Boys Track Awards - Co-MVP - Lannin Caron and Gabe Coffman, Captain - Cayden Brunkhorst ● Girls State Qualifiers - Pole Vault - Jessica Stumpe, 200 M Dash - Joella Eggemeyer ● Boys State Qualifiers - 800 M Run - Gabe Coffman, Pole Vault - Lannin Caron, 4x400 M Relay - Gabe Coffman, Lannin Caron, Cayden Brunkforst, and Danny Worley

● Girls SICA All South Team - Pole Vault - Jessica Stumpe, 200 M Dash - Joella Eggemeyer ● Boys SICA All South Team - 800 M Run - Gabe Coffman, Pole Vault and 4x400 Relay - Lannin Caron

Other

● Eventlink is being utilized as Schedule Star is being dropped for athletic event scheduling. The new website and access to the platform will be out next month.

Maintenance

● Window removal at High School

● Removed lockers from room 222, Tile to be installed with new gray baseboards and paint at the Grade School

● Lockers are going to be reinstalled in the lower hall of Jr.High

● Removed 2 huge desks in the Media Center of the High School

● Filters are all good in RTU’s at both schools

● Striped the practice field at the High School

High School Principal

● 53 Seniors went on a trip to The Edge in Belleville, IL

● Graduation was held in Colbert Gym on May 18th - Thank you to Mrs. Coffey, Dr. Krieg, and Mrs. Malley for attending the graduation. Also, to Mrs. Diercks and Mrs. Mueller for doing a great job organizing the ceremony

● All exams have been completed, grades finalized and posted, and honor roll published for the 2025 school year

● Summer cleaning has started and is moving fast. The crew have already completed 40% of the classrooms. This includes a deep cleaning, stripping and waxing of the floors and moving furniture

● Two construction zones have started in the High School and progress is being made on window and tuckpointing as well as the Sharp Media Center

● Summer school has begun and we are entering our third week. It will be completed by the end of June ● TBA - Online Registration and Student Schedule Release

● 8/11 - Freshman Academy

● 8/12 - Locker Move In

● 8/12 - Teacher Institute

● 8/13 - Teacher Institute

● 8/14 - First Day of School

● 8/14 - Iconic Picture Day

● 10/10 - Homecoming Game

● 10/11 - Homecoming Dance

Grade School Principal

● The school administration is in the final stages of developing the comprehensive schedule for the upcoming academic year

● Administrative personnel including Mrs. Briggs, Mr. Blechle, and Mr. Blair participated in a comprehensive active shooter training session. This collaborative training involved county administration and emergency services personnel, underscoring our commitment to institutional safety and preparedness

● The Handbook Committee has met two times to review and make updates to the handbook ● Summer school has started successfully

● Cleaning and preparation of the Grade School facilities are progressing efficiently

● The Comwell Thrive Tribe had their first round of Wellness Groups in the cafeteria on June 9th. Counselors facilitated engaging activities and discussions aimed at helping these two age groups address issues such as bullying, anger management, teamwork, communication, friendships, and self worth. They will meet with the groups every Monday throughout the remainder of June

Special Education

● The special education staff have been notified of their upcoming students for their caseloads and have access to their IEPs to help prepare them for next school year

● Mrs. Stegmann and the special education staff have been working on taking inventory of the special education reading curriculum materials to see what is needed for next year

● The 4th quarter IEP progress reports went home to families when the report cards went home. This allows the families to be aware of their child's progress towards their IEP goals

Superintendent

Governance

● SNP Resource Management Review: ISBE reviewed our maintenance, indirect costs, and revenue. No citations were issued

● Attended CCSI/OKAW as a district representative

● Attended the Perandoe Board meeting to stay updated on partner agency matters. Also participated on the Perandoe Finance Committee

● The Summer Food Program has started with success. We feed 600 kids on our first pick up day ● Attended Elevate: IASA Superwomen, a powerful leadership gathering focused on supporting and advancing women in the superintendency

● Mr. Blair, Mr. Blechle, and Mrs. Briggs participated in a full day active shooter training hosted by our county police department. The training included representatives from city and county law enforcement, EMA, and other key agencies. It was highly informative and underscored the importance of a unified response. As a result, we will be reviewing and updated our district crisis plan, aligning our emergency language across all buildings, and incorporating a formal reunification process

● Met with a representative from the company working with ISBE on the Modernization Initiative aimed at updating and improving ISBE’s web based systems for school districts

Budget/Finance

● Amending grants for the end of the fiscal year

Building and Grounds

● Early Childhood Center continues to progress with the date to complete August

● Summer projects:

➢ High School roof replacement

➢ Tuckingpointing and windows

➢ Phase 3 Media center

Classroom

● Summer training for SEL, new ELA training, and PBIS

Davitz motioned, Krieg seconded to conduct second reading and approval of Press Plus Policy 118 excluding policy 2:265. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to approve Official pay for the 2025-26 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Coffey seconded to conduct first reading of the Grade School 2025-2026 Handbook. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Coffey motioned, Ebers seconded to conduct first reading of the High School 2025-2026 Handbook. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Davitz seconded to conduct first reading of the 2025-2026 Employee Handbook. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Wolff seconded to appoint Board Member, Charles Fricke to Perandoe Representative Assembly. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to approve IHSA membership and adopt bylaws for the 2025-2026 school term. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Krieg seconded to approve PaCE Framework for Chester Grade School as presented. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve Chester CUSD #139’s Insurance Renewal for July 1, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Krieg seconded to approve Certificate of Payment for Samron Midwest Contracting, Inc’s Pay Application #3 in the amount of $1,173,911.72. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Davitz seconded to approve Renewable Energy Lease Option agreement with Catalyze GBH Developer, LLC and Chester Community Unit School District 139 as of June 17, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Krieg motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the resolution authorizing the District’s sale of a surplus generator to David Murray for $2,500.00. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the Memorandum of Understanding set forth the terms and understanding between the Chester Community Unit School District 139’s Board of Education and the Chester Education Service Professionals, IEA-NEA. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Davitz seconded to approve Project #23121 - Change Order 12 with Samron Midwest Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $24,130.49 to modify the truss design. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Wolff seconded to approve the quote for the phone system at the Chester CUSD 139 with QNS for $28,012.47. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Wolff seconded to approve the quote for the camera system at the Chester Grade School with Security Alarm for $26,093.01. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the quote for the camera system at the Chester High School with Security Alarm for $29,015.48. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the employment of Cierra Creason as a Grade School Social Worker for the 2025-26 school year, pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the reassignment of Debbie Jany from Grade School Evening Custodian to the Early Childhood Center Head Custodian effective the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Krieg motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the employment of Rebecca Hanna as an Administrative Assistant at the Chester Early Childhood Center at $18.20/hr pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including EHR, beginning June 2, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the employment of Michelle McConnell as Grade School Cafeteria Personnel at $17.10/hr pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including EHR, beginning June 9, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the employment of Mary Schwent as Grade School Cafeteria Personnel at $17.10/hr pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the employment of Kenneth Handsbury as Grade School Evening Custodian at $19.20/hr pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including EHR, beginning June 9, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the employment of Kayla Britt as a Grade School Administrative Assistant at $18.20/hr pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including EHR, beginning June 13, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the employment of Kathy Bergmann as a Grade School Paraprofessional at $17.70/hr beginning August 12, 2025 pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including a criminal background check and EHR. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Wolff motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the employment of Sam Yankey as a Grade School Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at $22.10/hr beginning July 1, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Krieg motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the employment of Grade School and High School coaches for the fall/winter 2025-26 sports season as listed. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Nays: none. Davitz and Wolff abstained. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to accept the Grade School and High School volunteers for the fall/winter 2025-26 sports season as listed. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the employment of Daniel Roth as High School Assistant Football coach for the 2025-26 sports season. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the employment of Matt Colvis as High School JV/Freshman Football coach for the 2025-26 sports season. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Krieg motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the resignation of Peyton Cole, Jacketcare Worker, effective May 21, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Coffey motioned, Wolff seconded to approve the resignation of Summer Valleroy, Jacketcare Worker, effective May 21, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Krieg motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the resignation of Montana Rose, Grade School Paraprofessional, effective the end of the 2024-25 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the resignation of Curits Eggemeyer, High School Assistant Football coach, effective immediately. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the resignation of Mike Liefer, Jr. High Assistant Basketball coach, effective immediately. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Fricke motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the resignation of Jennifer Beil, Grade School Paraprofessional, effective May 28, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Krieg motioned, Wolff seconded to approve the resignation of Karlea Hahs, Grade School Paraprofessional, effective May 28, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Wolff seconded to approve the resignation of Marissa Talbert, Grade School Special Education Teacher, effective immediately. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the resignation of Leila Craig, Elementary School Teacher, effective immediately. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Krieg motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the resignation of Samuel Higgerson, Director of Student Services, effective immediately. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the intermittent FMLA request for Gina Hafertepe, beginning December 13, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the FMLA request for Pamela Manche, beginning April 23, 2025 to May 23, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the addendum for Kimberly Brigg’s Superintendent Contract. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the addendum for Tim Blair’s Principal Contract. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the addendum for Jeremy Blechle’s Principal Contract. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the addendum for Robin Barton’s Assistant Principal Contract. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the addendum for Kristin Petrowske’s Assistant Principal Contract. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the addendum for Rachel Marshall’s Principal Contract. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the addendum for Shirley Stegmann’s Curriculum Director Contract. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Krieg, Ebers, Wolff. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:58 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.

https://www.chester139.com/documents/board-of-education/board-meetings/minutes/327241