NEW DETAILS: Kittell suspended with pay and benefits
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ A special meeting of Chester Unit School District 139 Board of Education was held on January 11, 2011 at the district office to discuss decisions regarding the employment of Keith Kittell.
The board rescinded their January 3 decision of termination for Kittell. After a meeting with the district attorney, it was determined the superintendent and school board did not follow the proper protocol regarding his termination.In a press release sent out to the media regarding the January 3 meeting, it stated the board approved the suspension of Mr. Kittell, Chester High School Principal, from his duties with pay and benefits effective immediately pending a dismissal hearing before the Board of Education. However, at that meeting the board actually approved his termination. It wasn't discovered until a couple of days later that the proper protocol wasn't followed.
According to superintendent Rebecca Keim, the issue was resolved quickly, therfore there was no need to change the minutes that were sent to the media, because a suspension was the final decision after speaking with the district's attorney.
At the January 11 meeting it was decided to suspend Kittell from his duties with pay and benefits, not pending a hearing, effective immediately.
The board approved former Sparta principal and counselor Fran Vallo as interim principal of Chester High School.
According to Keim, Vallo is doing a great job in the position.
The regular Board of Education meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on January 20, 2011 at the Chester Community Unit School District Superintendent's Office, 1940 Swanwick Street, Chester, IL 62233.
On the agenda:
Approval Of Agenda Items
Board Correspondence-
Board Presentations - Hs Improvement Process, Todd Jones- Meverts
Opportunity For Public Comment-
Approval Of Minutes:
Regular Meeting Of December 16, 2010.
Executive Session Of December 16, 2010.
Special Meeting Of January 3, 2011.
Executive Session Of January 3, 2011.
Special Meeting Of January 11, 2011.
Executive Session Of January 11, 2011.
Informational Items:
Technology Report
Maintenance Report
Athletics Report
Principals' Reports
Superintendent's Report
Action Items:
A. Approval Of Bills & Payroll
B. Consent Agenda
Approve Bob Koenegstein As High School Track Volunteer.
C. New Business
1. Approve Scott Haxton As High School Track Assistant Coach.
2. Approve Curt Gilpin as High School Track Assistant Coach.
3. Approve abating $176,000 working cash and permanently transferring it to the Building Fund.
4. Review past 6 months executive session minutes as per PA85-1355.
Approve postings for the following positions for the 2011-2012 school year:
Chester High School Principal.
High School Consumer Science Teacher.
High School English Teacher.
D. Executive Session
1. The Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body.
2. Action after Executive session.