Chester BOE officially approves Blechle

<span>As part of a special meeting on Thursday, the Chester District 139 Board of Education officially approved Jeremy Blechle as its next head football coach at Chester High School.</span>

<span>Blechle's approval was just one of a number of personnel items on the meeting's agenda, including accepting the resignation of Wade Miller as CHS softball coach and approving the contract of new CHS Principal Dr. Sarah Gass.</span>

<span>In regard to Gass, District Superintendent Chris Diddlebock said her contract is for one year at a salary of $80,000. Interviews will soon be under way for filling the Dean of Students position at CHS.</span>

<span>"We'll be interviewing soon when Sarah can come down," Diddlebock said. "She's going through stuff to get a feel for what's going on."</span>

<span>Under Informational Items, Diddlebock said contract negotiations are set to begin with the Chester Education Association (CEA) and Southwestern Illinois Bus Company (SWIBCO), which provides student transportation.</span>

<span>The one-year contract with the CEA expires at the end of July.</span>

<span>"In general, because of our financial situation, it's hard to make long-term plans on both sides," Diddlebock said. "It's each side evaluating things financially and seeing where to go from there."</span>

<span>Diddlebock said the district has officially announced openings for assistant football coaches, head cross country coach, head softball coach, head girls basketball coach and head boys track coach.</span>

<span>Interested persons are asked to come to the District 139 office (1940 Swanwick St.) and fill out an application.</span>

<span>The district is scheduled to hold another special meeting on Tuesday to discuss appointing an interim superintendent. Diddlebock's tenure with the district ends on June 30 and the BOE has previously heard a presentation from the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) on what they offer in regard to a professional executive search.</span>

Roundup

<span>The BOE approved Jake Cowan as volunteer CHS football coach for the upcoming school year.</span>

<span>The BOE approved Tracy Colvis, Devon Hecht and Michaelyn Modglin as volunteer volleyball coaches at CHS for the upcoming school year.</span>

<span>The BOE accepted a $285,250 bid from Geissler Roofing for roof replacement at Chester Grade School.</span>

<span>The BOE accepted the resignation of CHS social studies teacher and head football coach Bryan Lee effective at the conclusion of the 2014-15 school year.</span>

<span>The BOE accepted the resignation of Shirley Stegmann as CHS Senior Class sponsor effective at the conclusion of the 2014-15 school year.</span>

<span>The BOE approved the employment of Krista Krieg as three-hour CHS cafeteria aide beginning August 18.</span>

<span>The BOE approved Amanda Cowan as assistant CHS volleyball coach for the upcoming school year.</span>