CHESTER – The minutes of the Nov. 16 regular meeting and Nov. 30 emergency meeting of the Chester CUSD No. 139 Board of Education have been released.
CHESTER COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.139
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting
November 16, 2023
The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 held a Special Meeting on November 16, 2023, in High School FACS Classroom B217.
President Debi Caraway called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Belton motioned, Fricke seconded to enter into executive session at 5:36 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Roll call vote. Ayes: Belton, Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke. Nays: none. Motion carried. Malley motioned, Fricke seconded to return to open session at 7:44 pm. Roll call vote. Ayes: Belton, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Comment
● No public comment. Belton motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the consent agenda and items as listed. Roll call vote. Ayes: Belton, Davitz, Fricke, Coffey. Nays: none. Motion carried.
● October 18, 2023 Regular & Executive Session Meeting Minutes
● November 2, 2023 Special & Executive Session Meeting Minutes
● Bills in the amount of $1,289,787.43 and payroll in the amount of $561,508.62
● Financial Reports Athletic Director Report CGS
● Boys basketball off to a good start with 23 players between 6th-8th grade CHS
● The dance team had their annual chicken dinner fundraiser on Sunday, November 5, 2023 and it was a great turnout
● Competition season for the dance team has begun and their first meet is December 16, 2023 at Herrin ● Competition season for the cheerleading team has begun and their first meet was November 26, 2023 in Alton
● The football team lost to Red Bud in the first round of playoffs
● 11 athletes were named to the All-Conference Team: Korbin Jany, Garret Hopkins, Gage Hopkins, Zain Al-Jassim, Trenton Eggemeyer, Alex Westbrook, Nate Maes, Nate Heuer, Kolton Jany, Ethan Colvis
● The volleyball team lost in the first round of regionals to Carlyle, placed 2nd in Conference
● 3 volleyball players were named to the All-Conference team: Jordan Buskhol, Ellen McCormick and Mabry Wingerter ● Cross country runner Gabe Coffman advanced out of regionals to the sectional meet but did qualify for the State Meet
● The girls basketball team will be able to field a JV team this year
E-sports
● E-sports has 16 competitors on their team
● The holiday season is starting through the end of the semester
Curriculum Report
● On October 25, 2023, the Junior class (Class of 2025) took the PSAT/NMSQT
● The Spring 2024 SAT and PSAT will be digital
● Tests have been ordered for our K-12 ELL students
● The ACCESS test window opens in January and there are 59 students who will take the test (Pre-k does not take the ACCESS tests)
Assessments and Dates for the 2023-2024 School Year Spring 2024 Spring State Assessments
● January 17 – March 5, 2024 Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners – Grades K-12
● March 4 – April 19, 2024 Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) – Grades 3-8
● March 1 – April 30, 2024 Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) – Grades 5,8,and 11
● Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) – Grades 9 and 10
● Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) – Grade 11
● March 13 – May 8, 2024 Dynamic Learning Map Alternate Assessment (DLM-AA) Maintenance Report
● Many missing tiles have been replaced in Juergens Gym
● Repair work has been done in the boy’s locker room at the high school including light fixtures,door to storage room, the emergency light, bathroom stalls, and the GFCI outlet was replaced
● Outdoor handrails are currently being repainted as well as refurbishing the awning over the back of Juergens Gym
● Building/installing drain pipes behind the metal shop so no more damage to concrete foundation. The new drain piping will catch all the gutter downspouts and run them underground to a safe area to release water
● Dead hazardous trees are being removed from both schools
Grade School Principal’s Report
● 610 of 632 scheduled parent teacher conferences held on October 19th and 20th
● Positive Give back for November was $433. It was donated to Marsha Bartley at the high school
● Book fair this fall was successful, each teacher received $75 worth of books for their classroom
● On November 8, 2023 an assembly was presented by Zoodles where they presented several animals ● An assembly was held for local Veterans on November 9, 2023. Approximately 30 Veterans attended and several classes made cards as well as K-4 students sang various songs while the 6th and Jr.High bands performed
● Santa’s Kottage is set for December 4th thru December 8th and will be held in the library High School Principal’s Report
● SADD organized events and dress up days in recognition of Red Ribbon Week, October 23rd-28th
● NHS held a Red Cross blood drive on October 25th, they collected 30 donations
● The Student Council organized a Trick or Treat event on October 31, 2023
● Mr. Juenger and Mrs. Clendenin took a group of four CHS students to the Fall Youth Advisory Council on November 2, 2023. They will attend the spring conference in Springfield
● The National Honor Society held its 2023 Induction Ceremony on November 8, 2023
● Veterans Day was recognized on November 9, 2023 with a performance from CHS Sound Effect members
● School tutoring numbers have seen a huge increase over the past couple of weeks
● Just for Jackets conducted a food drive Superintendent’s Report Governance
● Focusing on assisting with ELL resources
● New playground equipment for special needs students was installed at the grade school
● Living skills lab/kitchen completed, cleaned, and ready for use
● Grant came through for School Resource Officer
● The Birth to 3 team completed a grant for collaboration with other agencies in the county Budget/Finance
● An audit will extend through December 15, 2023 Building and Grounds
● A maintenance grant will be used for the office area in the new Vestibule Classroom
● Trainings coming together for the January 3rd Institute Athletics
● Winter Sports are beginning
Fricke motioned, Belton seconded to approve MOU between the District and the Association regarding teacher endorsement. Roll Call Vote. Ayes: Belton, Coffey, Fricke, Davitz Nays: none Motion carried.
Belton motioned, Coffey seconded to approve a quote with Southern Bus & Mobility for a 2024 Trans Tech 14-passenger MFSAB for $79,635.00. Roll Call Vote. Ayes: Belton, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke Nays: none Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Beltoon seconded to approve facility request for Steeleville Grade School to utilize the track and field for OVC Jr. and Sr. Track Conference meets on April 3rd and 10th from 10 am-5 pm. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Belton seconded to approve to employ Brittany Gonzalez as Grade School Paraprofessional and Cafeteria Aide at $14.10/hr effective October 26, 2023. Roll Call Vote. Ayes: Belton, Davtiz, Coffey, Fricke Nays: none Motioned carried.
Fricke motioned, Belton seconded to approve to employ Jonathan Snow as Jacket Care childcare worker at $14.10/hr effective November 6, 2023. Roll Call Vote. Ayes: Belton, Davtiz, Coffey, Fricke Nays: none Motioned carried.
Fricke motioned, Beltonn seconded to approve to employ Jeff Mott as High School girl’s head Softball coach for the 2023-2024 school year. Roll Call Vote. Ayes: Belton, Davtiz, Coffey, Fricke Nays: none Motioned carried.
Fricke motioned, Belton seconded to approve to employ Mason Werner as part-time Custodian at $14.10/hr pending successful background check. Roll Call Vote. Ayes: Belton, Davtiz, Coffey, Fricke Nays: none Motioned carried.
Fricke motioned, Belton seconded to approve to employ Chace Murphy as part-time Custodian at $14.10/hr pending successful background check. Roll Call Vote. Ayes: Belton, Davtiz, Coffey, Fricke Nays: none Motioned carried.
Fricke motioned, Belton seconded to approve to employ Peyton Dickson as part-time Custodian at $14.10/hr pending successful background check. Roll Call Vote. Ayes: Belton, Davtiz, Coffey, Fricke Nays: none Motioned carried.
Fricke motioned, Belton seconded to approve to employ Chace Murphy as part-time Custodian at $14.10/hr pending successful background check. Roll Call Vote. Ayes: Belton, Davtiz, Coffey, Fricke Nays: none Motioned carried. Belton motioned, Coffey seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held Thursday, December 21, 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.
CHESTER COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.139
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Emergency Meeting
November 30, 2023
The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 held an Emergency Meeting on November 30, 2023, in the District office.
President Debi Caraway called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to approve the agenda items as listed.
Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
Malley motioned, Krieg seconded for the emergency approval of applying for the maintenance grant. Roll Call Vote. Ayes: Caraway, Fricke, Krieg, Malley Nays: none Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to adjourn the meeting at 4:12pm Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held Thursday, December 21, 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.