CHESTER – The minutes of the last two meetings of the Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 have been released.
The meetings included the regular meeting on August 21 and a special meeting on August 23.
CHESTER COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.139
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2025
The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 held a Regular Meeting on August 21, 2025, in the High School Juergens Gym. President Debi Caraway called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Krieg motioned, Davitz seconded to enter into executive session at 6:00 p.m Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Krieg motioned, Davitz seconded to recess the executive meeting at 6:59 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to enter into the regular meeting at 7:02 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Public Comment
- Superintendent Kimberly Briggs introduces new staff.
Board Correspondence
- None
Ebers motioned, Davitz 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
- July 17, 2025 Regular and Executive Meeting Minutes, and July 30, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes
- Bills in the amount of $1,616,219.56 and payroll in the amount of $595,852.79
- Financial Reports
Athletic Director Report CHS
- August 22, 2025 High School Football Meet and Greet Fall Players and Scrimmage vs. Carbondale
- First Varsity Volleyball match is August 26th at Anna Jonesboro
- Kids Dance Camp is September 23-25 with performance on September 26 game vs. Wesclin ● High School Cross Country first meet is August 25th at the New Athens Invitational
- Robin Barton is the Girls Golf coach
- First Girls Golf match is August 19th at home vs. Gibault, Steeleville, and Egyptian
- First Boys Golf match is August 19th at home vs Gibault, Steeleville, and Egyptian CGS
- Baseball and Softball Marissa Tournaments was turned into two games with no championship game due to the heat
- Cross Country’s first meet is August 28th in Murphysboro Other
- Meet and Greet Fall players is August 22nd
- High School Football, Cross Country, Volleyball, and Golf official practices begin August 11th
- August 20th High School conference AD meeting
- August 27th Mandatory SIJHSAA AD meeting
- Homecoming is October 10, 2025 vs. Dupo High School Principal
- Construction is progressing as we prepare to welcome students back for the 2025-26 school year
- All students returned to school on August 14th, participating in a series of rotations covering essential topics, school procedures, and having their school pictures taken. A second round of rotations will take place on the following day, totaling eight informative stations designed to help students gear up for the upcoming school year
- On the first institute day, district administrators demonstrated their commitment by cooking breakfast for the entire district staff
- Additionally, CHS hosted an engaging Freshman Academy on August 12th, featuring a Q&A session with the administration, presentations and skits about school norms, policies, and procedures, as well as a selfie scavenger hunt. A total of 68 out of 79 freshmen attended this event Grade School Principal
- Baseball, Softball, and Cross Country have started
- Online registration opened on July 14th
- New student and in-person registration was held on July 29th from 9 am to 3 pm and July 31st from 1 pm to 7 pm
- The Hoyalton Youth and Family Services translators were present for interpretations both days
- The Grade school has registered 548 students for the upcoming school year
- PBIS expectations have been hung up all around the school and have started Tier 2
- The Administrative team participated in a professional development training focused on the effective use of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) on August 4th and 5th, alongside the Administrative teams from Sparta and Columbia Early Childhood Principal
- We look forward to participating in Conscious Discipline training on September 12th. This training is a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach that integrates social-emotional learning, discipline, and self-regulation. It empowers to create a safe, connected, and problem- solving classrooms where children can thrive emotionally and academically ● Perandoe will be providing professional development in September on two important topics: Visual Phonics to support early literacy development particularly for students with speech and hearing challenges, and Proper Use of Sensory Room to ensure we are using this space effectively to support students’ sensory needs and emotional regulation
- Open House on August 25th from 6 pm to 7 pm
- First day of school for Preschool and Early Childhood students is August 26th
- Enrollment numbers: Pre-k – 63 students, and Early Childhood – 8 students
- In addition, 7 students are in the process of being re-screened by Donna Yeargin, our school psychologist from Perandoe. Once those screenings are completed, these students will also be enrolled
Curriculum Director
➢ 2025-2026 Benchmark Test dates
○ Fall – September 2-5
○ Winter – December 1-5
○ Spring – April 27-May 1
➢ Newly adopted reading curriculum for Grades K-8
○ McGraw Hill Wonders for K-6
○ McGraw Hill Study Sync for 7-8
○ Teachers will have training for this new curriculum on August 22nd
➢ 2026 Spring State Assessments
○ Access for ELLs: Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners – January 14-March 3 for Grades K-12
○ IAR: Illinois Assessment of Readiness – March 2-April 17 for Grades 3-8
○ ISA: Illinois Science Assessment – March 12-April 30 for Grades 5-8
○ ACT with Writing: Tentatively Set for April 10 for Grade 11
○ PreACT Secure: Tentatively set for April 10 for Grades 9 and 10
○ DLM-AA: Dynamic Learning Map Alternate Assessment – March-May 6
Maintenance
- All RTUs at the Grade School have been washed out, filters checked, and/or replaced, and motors greased where applicable
- The dead tree on the Grade School playground has been removed, also the city added wood chips across the playground as well
Wolff motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the Certificate of Payment for Samron Midwest Contracting’s Pay Application #5 for the Chester Early Childhood Renovations in the amount of $480,552.97. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Conducted first reading of Press Plus Policy 119.
Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established with Chester Education Association to consider STEP Supervisor Supplemental job. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established with Chester Education Association to consider Semester tuition Reimbursement. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve Change Order 19 with Samron Midwest Contracting, Inc. for 2” Pressure Reducing Valves at the Chester Early Childhood Center in the amount of $1,441.94. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Dr. James Krieg stepped out of the regular meeting at 7:42 p.m.
Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to approve Change Order 20 with Samron Midwest Contracting, Inc. for Sesser Pave and Seal to the parking area at the Chester Early Childhood Center in the amount of $50,853.99. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Dr. James Krieg returned to the regular meeting at 7:44 p.m.
Wolff motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the employment of Alisha Eggemeyer, Grade School Paraprofessional at $17.70/hr pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including EHR, beginning August 12, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Coffey motioned, Wolff seconded to approve the employment of Kim Linthicum, High School Paraprofessional at $17.70/hr pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including EHR, beginning August 12, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the employment of Shane Martinez as Grade School and Chester Early Childhood Center Head Cook at $19.70/hr, pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including EHR and background check. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Coffey motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the employment of Sydney Kinkade as Grade School Paraprofessional at $17.70/hr pending successful completion of all employment requirements, including EHR and background check. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve Robin Barton as High School Golf Head Coach for the 2025-26 sports season. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to accept Chase Caron as a Grade School Softball Volunteer for the 2025-26 sports season. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried. Fricke motioned, Davitz seconded to approve Erin Conley as ESports Head Coach for the 2025-26 sports season. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Wolff motioned, Davitz seconded to accept Tony Lochhead as High Girls Golf Volunteer for the 2025-26 sports season. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Wolff seconded to accept Caleb Strauss as High School Football volunteer for the 2025-26 sports season. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the resignation of Ahmber Fraembs, High School Paraprofessional, effective August 1, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the resignation of Olivia Earl, Jacket Care worker, effective July 30, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Coffey motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the resignation of Autumn Ogle, Grade School Paraprofessional, effective July 31, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Coffey motioned, Ebers seconded to approve the resignation of Mary Schwent, Grade School Cafeteria Personnel, effective August 6, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Fricke motioned, Coffey seconded to approve the resignation of Armada Venus, High School Paraprofessional, effective August 6, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Coffey motioned, Fricke seconded to approve the resignation of Carrie Eggemeyer, Summer Meal Program Supervisor and Early Childhood Center Head Cook effective August 7, 2025. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none.
Motion carried. Fricke motioned, Krieg seconded to approve the resignation of Cheri Diercks-Boyd, High School Business Teacher, effective the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Ebers seconded to return to the executive meeting at 7:50 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Kimberly Briggs stepped out of executive session at 8:45 p.m.
Kimberly Briggs returned to executive session at 8:46 p.m.
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to adjourn the executive meeting and return to the regular meeting at 9:01 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried.
Davitz motioned, Coffey seconded to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:04 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held Thursday September 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chester Early Childhood Center Board Room located at 2319 Old Plant Road, Chester, IL 62233.
CHESTER COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.139 BOARD OF EDUCATION
Special Meeting August 25, 2025
The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 held a Regular Meeting on August 25, 2025, in the Early Childhood Center Board room. President Debi Caraway called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Public Comment
- None
Wolff motioned, Coffey seconded to enter into the executive meeting at 7:35 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Roll call vote. Ayes: Caraway, Davitz, Wolff, Krieg, Coffey, Ebers, Fricke Nays: none. Motion carried. High School Principal, Jeremy Blechle enters into the executive session at 8:02 p.m. Jeremy Blechle leaves the executive session at 9:36 p.m. Coffey motioned, Davitz seconded to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:20 p.m. Upon roll call, all members voted aye. Motion carried.
The next REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Education will be held Thursday September 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chester Early Childhood Center Board Room located at 2319 Old Plant Road, Chester, IL 62233.