CHESTER — The minutes of the Chester CUSD 139 School Board meeting held January 11, have been released.
CHESTER COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.139
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting January 11, 2024
The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 held a Regular Meeting, in High School FACS Classroom B217. President Debi Caraway called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to enter into executive session at 6:33 pm for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body.
Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Malley, Fricke, Krieg. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Mr. Grafton and Mr. Blechle was in the executive session. Mr.Grafton left the executive session at 7:40 pm.
Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to return to open session at 7:48 pm. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Davitz, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none. Motion carried.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Board received many Thank You’s via cards and in email in appreciation for the gift cards they received for Christmas.
Mr.Blechle and Mrs. Barton presented gifts to the board members to show their appreciation as well as presented gifts and cards from Mrs.Kern and the Dance team, Mrs.Hodge and her creative writing class, Mrs. Clendenin and her class, Mrs.Hawkins, Mrs.Gibbs, Mrs.Howie, and the Grade school.
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the consent agenda and items as listed. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Fricke, Coffey, Malley, Krieg Nays: none. Motion carried.
● Approval of Agenda
● December 21, 2024 Regular and Executive Meeting Minutes
● Bills in the amount of $306,534.56 and payroll in the amount of $275,268.84
● Financial Reports
Athletic Director Report CGS
● Regionals for boys basketball was January 24th and 26th
● Regionals for girls basketball was January 9, 2024
● Try-outs for Volleyball was January 8, 2024 and first game being January 25, 2024
CHS
● The dance team placed 1st at Edwardsville on January 6, 2024
● Cheer competed in the ICCA State at Springfield on January 6, 2024
● Dyson Helmers made the 2024 ICCA All-State Cheer team
● The 60th annual CIT was January 8-13th with 8 teams competing
● The girls basketball team won the consolation bracket of the CORL tournament over break
● Jessica Stumpe and Lexie Mott were in the top 10 scores of the tournament and in the history of the
tournament, Lexie Mott was named to the CORL all-tournament team
● The Lady Jackets placed 3rd in the LJMWC
Other
● Camryn Luthy signed to play golf at University of Southern Indiana
● Jazzi Merideht signed to run track at Missouri Baptist
● Mabry Wingerter signed to play Volleyball at Westminster College
● Jordan Buskohl signed to play Volleyball at Lewis and Clark
Curriculum Report
● ACCESS testing materials have arrived and the testing window opened January 17, 2024
● January 9th and 11th high school students took the Star Reading and Star Math
● The week of January 8th, Aimsweb Winter Benchmark for reading and math will be administered to Grades 1-3
● The week of January 15th, Aimsweb Winter Benchmark for early literacy and early numeracy will be administered to Kindergarten
● All 11th grade students will take the ISA on March 1, 2024
● All 9th and 10th grade students will take the PSAT on March 22, 2024
● All 11th grade students will take the SAT on March 22, 2024
● Seniors will not be in attendance on the PSAT/SAT date, they will use this day as job shadow/college/career exploration/scholarship work days
● IAR and ISA dates for the Grade school are yet to be determined
● All accommodations for grades 9th,10th,and 11th have been submitted to College Board for the PSAT and SAT 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
● Over Christmas break a screen was mounted in Colbert Gym and a dedicated circuit for power has been added for both the projector and screen. The additional power run was added from the panel by the band room office. The projector will be mounted soon and the screen will be operational and ready for use
● 3 sink drains have been replaced in the high school cafeteria as well as a garbage disposal
● The eyewash station in the wood shop at the high school had been replaced as well as some of the
plumbing under the sink. Safety guards have also been ordered for 3 of the grinders
● The main entrance into the high school is getting painted and trim is being added or replaced
Grade School Principal’s Report
● Teachers have received professional development on De Escalation Training and also data collection and steps require to request behavior support
● A hard lockdown drill was conducted January 8th that went well
● PTS plan to hold their walkathon again this Spring for their fundraiser
● Josten’s will be here February 1, 2024 at 9:00 am for graduation gown fitting
● A second book fair will be held February 12th-15th, which coincides with Parent teacher conferences
High School Principal’s Report
● A hard lockdown was conducted on January 8th
● The Distinguished Yellow Jacket Award will return this year and is scheduled for April 15, 2024
● Freshman Preview night is returning with a tentative date of March 4, 2024
● The updates in Colbert gym are almost complete and has never sounded better
Superintendent’s Report Governance
● Mileage reimbursement for state rate increase to .67 from 6.55
● Demoing systems to assist with outcomes for social emotional learning Budget/Finance
● Applied for Supply Chain Assistance for student meals and received $27,000
● Received Monroe Randolph Birth to Five Collaboration Grant for $70,600.00
Building and Grounds
● Over holiday break Shivelbine Music started work on the new sound system in the High school gym
Classroom
● January 3rd, we had a Teachers Institute. Mrs. Mandy Sullivan presented on De Escalation and Data review flow charts for behavioral students
Athletics
● Tournaments for girls and boys basketball in January
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve Board Press Policy Updates 113. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the HSA account for the Life Skill Lab. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Krieg motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the HSA account for the Concession Stand Supplemental. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the HSA account for the Student Council Concession Stand. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to approve program cost with Country Bloomers Lawn Care in the amount of $3,317.40. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to approve updated mileage reimbursement form. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Malley motioned, Krieg seconded to employ the Grade School and High School coaches and volunteers for the Spring 2024 sports season as listed. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Malley motioned, Krieg seconded to approve Caleb Zang as High School Baseball Volunteer. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Davitz sustained. Motion carried.
Malley motioned, Krieg seconded to employ Caroline Harrell as Grade School Paraprofessional at $15.60/hr. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Malley motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the hiring of a Special Education Coordinator pending certification. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Malley motioned, Krieg seconded to approve reassignment of Tammy Brockhouse from Grade School cook to Grade School head cook for the 2024-2025 school year. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke,
Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Coffey motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the resignation of Brett Klindworth as High Schools Assistant Baseball coach effective January 3, 2024. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Coffey motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the resignation of Chris Wingerter as High Schools Assistant Baseball coach effective January 4, 2024. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Malley seconded to approve the resignation of Trinity Jones as Jacket Care worker effective January 23, 2024. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Coffey, Fricke, Malley, Krieg Nays: none Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Malley seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held Thursday, February 8, 2024 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.