February 2021 School Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the February 4, 2021, February 11, 2021 and February 18, 2021 Meetings


MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD FEBRUARY 4, 2021

The special meeting of the Board of Education of School District 165 was held in the Media Center of Carbondale Community High School, 1301 East Walnut Street, Carbondale, Illinois, on Thursday, February 4, 2021, at 5:45 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers                         Francis Tsung
Lana Galan                             Julie VanWinkle 
Joe Hudgins                            Brian Woodard 
Christopher Swims

Also present: Stephen Murphy                                  

President Woodard declared a quorum present and the special meeting of February 4, 2021, was called to order.

Executive Session: Motion by Hudgins, seconded by Woodard, to go into executive session to discuss information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees and collective negotiating matters (5 ILCS 20/2(c)(1)).  Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

The executive session convened at 5:46 p.m. The executive session adjourned, and the public portion of the meeting reconvened at 10:20 p.m.

Public Comments—None

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 10:21 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED: February 18, 2021

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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD FEBRUARY 11, 2021

The special meeting of the Board of Education of School District 165 was held in the Media Center of Carbondale Community High School, 1301 East Walnut Street, Carbondale, Illinois, on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers                         Francis Tsung
Lana Galan                             Julie VanWinkle
Joe Hudgins                            Brian Woodard
Christopher Swims

Also present:  Stephen Murphy

President Woodard declared a quorum present and the special meeting of February 11, 2021, was called to order.

Executive Session: Motion by Swims, seconded by Galan, to go into executive session to discuss information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees and collective negotiating matters (5 ILCS 20/2(c)(1)).  Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

The executive session convened at 7:31 p.m. The executive session adjourned, and the public portion of the meeting reconvened at 9:13 p.m.

Public Comments—None

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.

APPROVED: FEBRUARY 18, 2021

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Link to recording of February 18, 2021 Board of Education Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/NXVmju5GOMQQkRlw3axdnwjJeW01OxhEZhYlHxrvi1i_j1JXhOk3LqczPDUglsER.hTaj86VCbRfK7eW4

Passcode: ZzS$B675

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD FEBRUARY 18, 2021

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of School District 165 was held in the Carbondale Community High School Cafeteria, 1301 East Walnut Street, Carbondale, Illinois, on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. 

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers                         Francis Tsung
Lana Galan                             Julie VanWinkle
Joe Hudgins                            Brian Woodard
Christopher Swims    

Also present were:

Stephen Murphy                     Ryan Thomas
Donna Fager (Remote)           Mark Albertini                                   

President Woodard declared a quorum present and the regular meeting of   February 18, 2021 was called to order.

Minutes: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to approve the following minutes:

a. Regular meeting and executive session of January 21, 2021.
b. Special meeting and executive session of January 28, 2021.
c. Special meeting and executive session of February 4, 2021.
d. Special meeting and executive session of February 11, 2021.

Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

Old Business—None

Public Comments—None

FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2020-21 FOIA requests received to date.

Payment of Bills: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to pay the remaining bills for the month of January 2021; and, those available for payment for the month of February 2021. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

Principal’s Report—No Report

2019 Carbondale Holiday Tournament Report: Mark Albertini reported that Holiday Tournament had lost money three of the last five years.  He said many different strategies have been attempted to increase attendance, but people are just not coming to the games any more.  Mr. Albertini recommended scheduling a “shoot out” which is a one-day event at another time during the year and playing in a different holiday tournament over the holidays this year.

Mr. Murphy said the Board did not need to take a vote, and Mr. Albertini would proceed as recommended if there were no objections raised.  There were none.

Member Hudgins concluded with a “Rest in Peace” to the Carbondale Holiday Tournament, which has been a fixture at CCHS for over 50 years.

Superintendent’s Report:  Mr. Murphy reported that faculty and administration had begun planning to adjust the school day schedule to the regular 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. beginning in the fourth quarter.

Mr. Murphy recommended keeping the schedule as it currently is for the remainder of the year.  He said no faculty or staff were objecting to the change, but many had an uneasy feeling that it would make things worse, as long as we were required to offer remote learning.

Mr. Murphy indicated schools were getting very little help from the State or Federal government in terms of adjusting guidelines that would allow for a return to in-person learning.

No Board members objected to keeping the current schedule for the rest of the year.  Several Board members indicated we needed to plan to make changes for next year even if we don’t have help from the State.

Mr. Murphy indicated he would report at the March Board meeting on the plan to return to school in August.

Member Hudgins referenced the 2020-2021 Semester 1 Grade Distribution Report and Requested a plan of action to address the 261 senior students with failing grades, and the 398 freshmen with failing grades. He advocated and encouraged more students to return to the classrooms and in-school learning by eliminating our current use of Google Classroom and Zoom as quickly as possible.

Request to Solicit Bids for District Yearbook Photography: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to solicit bids for yearbook photography for a three-year period (FY22, FY23 and FY24) as presented.  Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

2020-21 Mid-Year Graduates: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Galan, to approve the February 18, 2021 mid-year graduation for the students as presented. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

2021 Board Sponsored Activities: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Swims, to approve the following 2020-21 Board sponsored activities: 

1. 2021 Top Ten Academic Student Banquet--The 2021 Top Ten Academic Student Banquet had been scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at the SIU Student Center Ballrooms; however, due to the COVID restrictions the SIU Student Center is not allowing the use of their facilities and the banquet has been cancelled.

2. 2021 Board of Education Student Artwork Presentation--The CCHS Administration, on behalf of the Board of Education, will present a certificate/cash award at the Awards Night Ceremony on May 6, 2021.  Location and time to be determined.     

3. 2021 Graduation--Mr. Murphy said that the plans were not finalized for graduation, but that they were planning for a May 15, 2021 ceremony, and there would be a different Board at that time.

4. 2021 Retirement Reception—Location and time to be determined--Retirees: Suzanne Asaturian, Don Biggs, Donna Fager and Jim Miller

5. 2021 Carbondale Middle School Graduation--Dr. Linda Flowers and Ryan Thomas will receive the Carbondale Middle School Class of 2021 at their graduation ceremony.

Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

TRS Supplemental Savings Plan Resolution: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Flowers, to approve the Teacher Retirement System Supplemental Savings Plan Resolution as presented. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Resignations/Retirements: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to accept the following resignations/ retirements as presented: 

a. Resignation of Carlton Smith (Hall Monitor) effective August 17, 2020.

Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

Employment of Superintendent: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to employ Daniel Booth as the Superintendent of Carbondale Community High School District 165 effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024, with a beginning salary of $174,026.00, which is Mr. Murphy’s salary, pending final approval of the contract terms by the Board President and district attorney. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

Employment of 2020-21 Extra-Duty Personnel: Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, to employ the following 2020-21 extra-     duty personnel as presented:

Assistant Baseball Coach: Matt Duckworth $2,334.50 and Brian Chaney $2,334.50

Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

Employment Transfer: Motion by Swims, seconded by Galan, to transfer Jennifer Hargrave from the position of Hall Monitor to the position of Teacher Aide for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

2020-21 Volunteers—None  

Executive Session: Motion by Hudgins, seconded by Galan, to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees, collective negotiating matters (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)(2)); and, to adjourn the Board of Education Meeting immediately following the executive session.  

The meeting recessed at 7:20 p.m. The executive session convened at 7:26 p.m. The executive session adjourned at 9:00 p.m.  President Woodard stated no action was taken while in executive session.

For Your Information Items

2020-21 ISBE Career Guide: The Board members received a copy of the 2020-21 Illinois State Board of Education Career Guide in their packet.

IASB 2021 Constitution and Position Statement: The Board members received copies of the IASB 2021 Constitution and Position Statement.

Spring Break: Spring Break is March 8-12, 2021.

March Board Meeting: The March Board of Education Meeting is Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.

APPROVED: MARCH 18, 2021