CHESTER – Five of the seven Chester board members met on Monday, Oct. 21 to handle school district business along with four employees and two community residents.
Board president Bryan Martin gaveled meeting to order at 6 p.m. and it was adjourned at 7:06 p.m. with next regular monthly meeting of the Chester ISD Board of Trustees set for Nov. 18.
Chester ISD Superintendent Dr. Paul Drake updated board on state ADA numbers (positive) and then all took a tour of the new nine classrooms and one science lab under construction. All is going well with possible completion in late spring of 2025.
Work is on schedule and within bond budget estimates. Business manager Austin Odom then reviewed the current safety grants earned by the district (about $750K) and ones still in process; district revenue and expenditures were reviewed with minimal discussion. They have also updated their software giving them a greater ability to track all funds.
Principal Amy Dinger reported that enrollment is currently 198 and the attendance has improved (now at 96.97 percent) with Kindergarten and seventh grade leading all grades in percentages.
Volleyball leads the district (undefeated) and looks forward to UIL play-offs. The participants in the county fair did extremely well and the NHS exhibit at the Shivers Museum was outstanding. She distributed a listing of upcoming events at the school such as Red Ribbon week (Oct. 28-Nov. 1) and Senior night for volleyball (Nov. 8). A Veterans Day program is set for Nov. 11th and Nov. 14 will be a Thanksgiving feast for students and family members.
The consent agenda was approved without comment and several action items were approved: 1) donation of four bikes for reading program; 2) donation of a banner by the Athletic booster club; 3) safety grant funds for three projects: exterior doors, rekeying and door hardware, and replacement of gym doors; and 4) copier lease renewal.
