Chester school board approves $4.4 million budget

The Chester School Board approved a $4.4 million budget for the current school year at its Sept. 20 meeting.

Superintendent Brian Pasero spoke about some of the items within the budget, one being replacing the HVAC system at Chester Grade School, which eh said continues to be a problems for the school. To handle the current issues, the board approved the rental of 6 dehumidifiers for a period of two weeks at an approximate cost of $5,500. They also approved Unit Ventilator cleaning in 40 rooms at an approximate cost of $22,000.

Pasero also said the budgets will target paying off bonds issued in previous years. He said the district received 3 of the 4 payments from the state last year and he expects to receive the other one plus 3 of the 4 for the coming year.

In addition to the budget, the board approved establishing a line of credit with the Buena Vista National Bank in the event allotments by the state are slow to come.

Grade School Principal Tim Lochhead reported the Preschool was recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education with the Gold Circle of Quality Achievement. Lochhead said the recognition is given to 15 percent of the Preschools in the state. Lochhead also reported that 250 to 300 students went to visit the LST 325 on its visit to the Chester Riverfront. It was the largest group to visit the ship.

Jeremy Blechle reported the school website has been successfully updated. Information concerning school events and schedules will be more readily available. High School Principal Missy Meyer reported the school has been very active in the first month. The High School Band played at the opening program for the LST 325 and was featured on KFVS-TV in their report.

The Board approved an agreement with Pepsi for a five-year period. The District will receive a donation of $5,000 each year to help offset the costs of uniforms and Incentive Programs at CHS.

The board was reminded about the Electronics Recycling Day on Oct. 6. There is a small fee for some items.

Pasero told about plans for a town hall meeting to be held on Oct. 14 to talk about the proposal on the November ballot concerning changes in the election of the School Board. The referendum, if successful, would eliminate township requirements and would require all seats of the Board to be up for election in the Spring. The meeting will be in the Grade School Gym. The Public is urged to attend.