Chester school board OKs teachers pact
School begins in less than a month and the Chester Board of Education took an important step in preparation for it by approving the 2018-19 agreement with the Chester Education Association.
The new agreement gives approximately a 2.75 percent salary increase to the teachers. The noncertified personnel also received a salary increase, including a new beginning hourly rate which averages an increase of 3.7 percent. School administrators will receive increases as set forth in their individual contracts.
The new contract will apply to the district's 65 certified teachers, 54 noncertified personnel - such as secretaries, teachers aides and custodial workers - and five administrators.
The board addressed several other items pertaining to the opening of the new school year. The board approved reinstating the grade school student transportation to away games for the coming year at a cost estimated between $15,000 and $17,000. In May, resident Nancy Crossland addressed the board concerning transportation for grade school students to athletic events away from Chester. The service was suspended several years ago as a cost-saving measure. Crossland pointed out that it is a huge burden on children and their parents, particularly when both parents work or when transportation is a cost factor to family income. She also mentioned the liability to individuals who help transport other children in their private vehicles.
Grade School Principal Tim Lochhead shared a drawing of the new playground equipment being installed - which was provided by a prekindergarten grant - and reported that it should be ready by the first day of school. The board also accepted a bid in the amount of $7,973 from Brown Electric to fix the flashing speed zone warning lights on Opdyke Street north and south of the Grade School. Lochhead explained the old system was working erratically last year and the improvements will be wireless and allow the lights to be activated easier and more efficiently.
High School Principal Melissa Meyer reported the school building and grounds were ready for the upcoming year. Some minor landscaping was performed by summer workers. Plans are underway for Freshman Orientation on Aug. 2. The program will be shorter than in years past, from 9 a.m.-noon. The board approved an agreement with Chester Chrysler Center for a loaned Driver's Education Car at a cost of $429 per month for maintenance.
Superintendent Brian Pasero received board approval to purchase 15 SMART Boards at a cost of $22,342.50 and 11 projector replacements for $5,800. He shared that Dr. Sharp, whose family provides several scholarships each year, contacted the school about contributing $25,000 a year to the athletic department and asked for a plaque to be erected at the entrance of Colbert Gymnasium honoring him.
The board discussed at length a situation brought forward by Board Member Charles Fricke. Fricke is concerned by a rule from SIJHSA which affected four students last year and has the potential to affect more this year. The problem, as related by Fricke, is that students transferring into the Grade School from a private or parochial school without a residency change must attend the school for 45 days before being allowed to participate in athletics. When a student does the opposite and transfers from the Grade School to a private or parochial school they must only attend 21 days before being able to participate. Fricke feels this is unfair to the students and parents alike, as it makes it impossible for them to participate in any of the fall sports.
Fricke asked the board to consider overlooking this rule for the sake of the students. Lochhead responded that by overlooking the rule, the school would be ineligible for regional or state competition and they could be forced to forfeit any conference games. Fricke replied that he feels the rule is overreaching and should be changed.
After much discussion, the motion was tabled and Pasero, Lochhead, and Fricke will attend the Oct. 6 meeting of the SIJHSA and voice their objections to the rule and seek to have it changed.
Registration for students for the upcoming 2018-19 school year will be held from July 30-Aug. 1.