CHESTER – The Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 Board of Education meeting minutes have been released.
CHESTER COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.139
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting
April 16, 2026
The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 held a Regular Meeting on April 16, 2026 in the Chester Early Childhood Center. Debi Caraway called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to enter into the executive meeting at 6:00 p.m for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to adjourn the executive meeting at 6:55 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to enter into the regular session at 7:00 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Comment ● None
Board Correspondence ● None
Students Kelly Amaro and Justice Mattingly presented “Just Stick with It”.
Fricke motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the consent agenda and items as listed. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Agenda and items as listed:
● Approve March 19, 2026 Regular and Executive board meeting minutes
● Bills in the amount of $1,593,259.29 and payroll in the amount of $691,018.07
● Financial reports
Athletic Director Report
CHS
Dance
● Try Outs are April 14-17th
● Annah Helvey Ahring is signing with Columbia College to continue her dance career.
Cheer
● Try Outs are April 21st-23rd Track
● Pinckneyville Invitational 4/10: Boys and Girls both took 2nd place
● 4/18 Wesclin Invitational
● 4/21 Rocky Bridges Invitational
● 4/24 Buzz Bradley Invitational at Sparta
● 4/28 Bi County Invitational at Sparta
● 4/30 Girls Nashville Invitational
Baseball
● Current Record
○ 4-6 overall, 0-2 in Conference
Softball
● Current Record
○ 5-7 overall, 0-2 in Conference
● 4/18 Chester Softball 8- team Tournament @ Cohen: Teams participating- Chester, Gibault, Steeleville, Ste. Gen, Trico, Breese Central, Central (PH, MO), Dupo CGS
Cheer
● TryOuts: May 11th-13th Track
● Conference 4/17 @ DuQuoin
● County Meet 4/22 @ Sparta
● Regionals 4/28 @ DuQuoin
Golf
● Boys Invitational 4/13 @ Steeleville
● Girls Invitational 4/21 @ Steeleville
Other
● IHSA Updates- Dead Week is June 29th- July 5th
● Homecoming is now Sept 25th due to the football season being pushed forward a week
Winter Sports Award Winners
Dance
● Most Valuable Dance (MVD): Southern LaChance
● Most Improved: Aubrey Petrowske
● Coaches Award: Katie Werner Boys Basketball
● Most outstanding offensive award – Tashawn Palacio
● Most outstanding defensive award – Tashawn Palacio
● Teammate of the year – Tray Peters
Girls Basketball
● Offensive player of the year-Lexie Mott
● Defensive player of the year- Jessica Stumpe
● Hustle award – Lillian Diskey Records Broken- Lexie Mott
● Most point single game -38 held by Jennifer ( Knowles) Coleman 37
● Most FTM single season – 145 held by Amber Stewart 137
● Most FTA Career – 740 held by Amber Stewart 410
● Most FTM Career- 484 held by Amber Stewart 256
● Most Career rebounds- 998 held by Alyssa Seymour 843
● 1000 point club – 1648 Cheer
● MVP- Mackenzie Studt
● Most Spirited- Ashlynn Addison
● Most Coachable- Katelynn Vallett
High School Principal
● The ACT/PreACT was successfully administered on April 2nd
● All students have completed their course selection forms for the upcoming school year
● The Course Curriculum Guide has been finalized and is now available on the school website
● The Career Fair was held on March 27th
● Prom was hosted on April 11th with the theme “Be Our Guest”
● On April 13, we held the 4th Annual Distinguished Yellow Jacket Awards Ceremony, recognizing excellence and inducting 28 new members into this prestigious group
Upcoming Events
● April 17 – Earth Day & PBIS Celebration
● April 20 – Day in the Trades Field Trip
● April 20 – Family Fun Night @ CHS
● April 22 – Environmental Club Field Trip to City Museum
● April 28 – NHS Blood Drive
● April 30 – CGS Spring Concert
● May 4–8 – Staff Appreciation Week
● May 6 – Signing Day
● May 7 – CECC Pre-K Graduation
● May 7–8 – Senior Exams
● May 12 – CHS Spring Concert
● May 13 – Honors Night @ 6:30 PM (CGS)
● May 13, 14, & 15 – Underclass Exams
● May 14 – Graduation Practice
● May 15 – Senior Trip to St. Louis
● May 17 – Graduation Ceremony @ 3:00 PM
Grade School Principal
● The PTS hosted a Mother-Son Game Night on March 27th
● Our April positive giveback raised $812 and was donated to a CGS family after the mother of a fourth-grade student passed away; the funds helped cover funeral expenses.
● The Junior High Spring Dance was held April 10th
● The PTS will once again hold Celebrate Fitness Day on April 23rd
● The 5th – 8th Grade Spring Band Concert is scheduled for April 30th in the High School Colbert Gymnasium
● Our 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony will take place on May 14th at 6:00pm in the High School Colbert Gymnasium
Early Childhood Principal
● Family Fun Night is April 20th at CHS
● Pre K Screening is April 21st at CECC from 9-5pm
● Pre K graduation is May 7th at CHS
● April 29th Tentative Field trip to CGS with future Kindergarten students from 11:30-1:30
Enrollment
● Pre-K: 72 students/80 max
● EC: 17 students/20 max with 2 students choosing to start in August
○ Total: 89 students
○ We have 3 students from EC in the morning pushing into Pre-K centers to prepare for kindergarten placement
Curriculum Director
State Testing Update
● Grade 3-8 took the state IAR tests the week of March 23rd – March 27th
○ All IAR makeup testing concluded on April 10th
● Grade 8 took the IL Science Assessment (ISA) during the same week as the IAR testing
● Grade 5 will take the ISA on April 20th and 21st
● Grade 9-11 took the PreACT / ACT test on April 2nd
○ PreACT makeup testing was held on April 9th
○ ACT makeup testing will be held on April 15th
End of Year Benchmark Testing
○ Our end of the year district benchmark testing for reading and math will take place from April 20th-May 1st.
○ Aimsweb for grades K-3
○ Renaissance Star testing for grades 4-11
Seal of Biliteracy Language Assessment
● April 14th, seven high school students will take the Avant STAMP 4S language proficiency assessment (Spanish). There are four sections of this assessment
○ Students will take the Reading, Writing, and Listening sections at one time ○ Students will take the Speaking section individually
● Students have the opportunity to earn the State Commendation Toward Biliteracy or the highest award, the State Seal of Biliteracy
○ Seal of Biliteracy: Intermediate High score on the world language assessment and an ACT Composite score of 21+ or ACT ELA score of 20+
○ State Commendation Toward Biliteracy: Minimum of Intermediate Low (or Intermediate Mid) and an ACT Composite score of 21+ or ACT ELA score of 20+
2026 Spring State Assessment Dates:
● ACCESS for ELLs: Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners — Jan 14-Mar 3 for Grades K-12
● IAR: Illinois Assessment of Readiness — week of Mar. 23-Mar 27 for Grades 3-8
● ISA: Illinois Science Assessment — Mar 3-Apr 30 for Grades 5 & 8
● ACT with Writing: April 2nd for Grade 11
● PreACT Secure: April 2nd for Grade 9 and Grade 10
● DLM-AA: Dynamic Learning Map Alternate Assessment — Mar 12th-May 7th
○ *We have one student at CGS and one student at CHS who will take these assessments
Superintendent
Governance:
❖ PD/Academy: Attended the amendment/cash flow analysis workshop.
❖ Summer Meal Program: We will run from June 2nd-August 4th, with the same format as last summer. Sign-ups have started online.
❖ Meetings: Perando, CCSI/OWKA, admin meetings,
❖ STINGERS: Launched the new STINGERS Enrichment After-School Program for students. Budget/Finance:
❖ Amending grants
❖ Amending budget Building and Grounds
❖ Projects:
● Windows & Tuckpointing: Phase 2 of the windows and tuckpointing project is now being initiated.
● Media Center: Work is nearing completion. The remaining punch list items are currently being addressed.
● Roof: A punch list is complete. Waiting for the ladder to come in. They completed the warranty last week, with some items to complete before the warranty can be given.
● Chester Early Childhood Center (CECC): Work is nearing completion, and the remaining punch list items are currently being addressed. They came today (Monday) to complete some painting.
● Elevators: I am currently looking into the requirements for closing off an area in the teacher’s lounge related to the elevator project.
● HVAC: Kickoff meeting with GRP set for April 23rd
● Playground: Upgrading the playground equipment at the grade school this summer.
General:
❖ On March 27th, we provided districtwide professional development for teachers and paraprofessionals.
Wolff motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the MOU between the Board of Education of Chester High School and the Board of Trustees of South Western Illinois College for dual credit agreement. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with Southwestern Illinois College for the Running Start Program for students. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the facility request form for Comwell to host the Thrive Tribe Summer SEL group at the Grade school on July 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, and August 6th. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to adopt a resolution to place the 2025-2026 Amended Budget of Chester School District on file as of May 15, 2026, and schedule a hearing to present said budget on June 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. to be directly followed by the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Wolff motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the Certificate of Payment for Samron Midwest Contracting, Inc. Pay Application #9 for the Chester Early Childhood Center Renovations in the amount of $3,385.46. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the Certificate of Payment for GRP Mechanical Co. Inc. Pay Application for the HVAC at the High School in the amount of $1,138,564.50. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried. Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to conduct and approve first reading of Board Press Policy 121 updates Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
Wolff motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the facility request form for Chester Pickleball to utilize the Juergen’s Gym Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established with the Chester Education Association to consider High School Assistant Volleyball Coach as a Supplemental Job. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davtiz motioned, Wolff seconded to approve the proposal with Hutchinson Recreation & Design for the Grade School playground in the amount of $190,554.00. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established with the Chester Education Association to consider High School Assistant Trapshooting Coach as a Supplemental Job. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Wolff motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the resignation of Jennifer Coleman, High School Girls Assistant Basketball coach, effective March 25, 2026. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the resignation of Trayton Peters, Summer Custodian, effective March 12, 2026. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve the resignation of William Schuwerk, Summer Custodian, effective March 19, 2026. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Wolff motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the resignation of Shane Martinez, Grade School Head Cook, effective March 24, 2026. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the employment of Zoe White, Elementary Teacher for the 2026-27 school year, pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including EHR and background check. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Wolff seconded to approve the employment of Ellyce Blazier, Kindergarten Teacher for the 2026-27 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve Chad Bowerman as Jr. High Special Education Teacher for the 2026-27 school year, pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including EHR and background check. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the resignation of Cierra Creason, Grade School Social Worker, effective the end of the 2025-26 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Coffey motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the resignation of Sophie Miller, Grade School Teacher, effective the end of the 2025-26 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Ebers motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the resignation of Kasey Crook, Grade School Social Worker, effective the end of the 2025-26 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Ebers seconded to terminate the employment of David Sullivan, an at-will employee. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve tenure for Grade School Teacher, Luke Lochhead. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve tenure for Grade School Teacher, Pamela Fogerson. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve tenure for Grade School Speech Language Pathologist, Jenna Uchtman. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve tenure for High School Teacher, Courtney Hecht. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve tenure for Early Childhood Center Teacher, Lindsey Hargis. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve tenure for High School Teacher, Erin Conley. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve tenure for High School Teacher, Paula Ray. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve tenure for High School Teacher, Melanie Clinton-Carter. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to approve to employ Isabelle Marshall as Grade School Paraprofessional for the 2026-27 school year, pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including EHR and background check. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Wolff motioned, Fricke seconded to approve to employ Carrie Eggemeyer as Site Supervisor for the Summer Meal Program school year, pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including background check and certification. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve to employ Priscilla Martinez as Grade School Athletic Director, effective the beginning of the 2026-27 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Coffey seconded to approve Jeff Hammel as Jr. High baseball volunteer for the 2026-27 sports season. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Coffey seconded to approve to employ Jeremy Blechle as High School Principal from 2026-2028. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Ebers motioned, Davitz seconded to approve to employ Timothy Blair as Grade School Principal from 2026-2028. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Wolff motioned, Coffey seconded to approve to employ Kristin Petrowske as Grade School Assistant Principal from 2026-2028. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to approve to employ Rachel Marshall as Early Childhood Center Principal from 2026-2028. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
Wolff motioned, Davitz seconded to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:07 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Coffey, Fricke, Caraway, Wolff, Davitz, Ebers, Nays: none. Motion carried.
The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held Thursday May 21, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chester Early Childhood Center Board Room located at 2319 Old Plank Road, Chester, IL 62233.