March 2021 School Board Meeeting Minutes

Link to Recording:
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD MARCH 18, 2021  

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of School District 165 was held in the cafeteria of Carbondale Community High School, 1301 East Walnut Street, Carbondale, Illinois, on Thursday, March 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                          

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

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Flowers and seconded by Galan to approve the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting and executive session of February 18, 2021.

Prior to the vote being taken Member Hudgins requested the minutes reflect that he said he 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 said he wanted the minutes to reflect his comments that he advocated to encourage 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. His comments were in reference to the Superintendent’s Report.

The clarifications were made to the minutes. Roll call:  Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes.  Nay, none. Motion carried.

Public Comments—None

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

Scholar Bowl Team Wins Championship: The CCHS Scholar Bowl Team won it’s 20th Consecutive IHSA Regional Championship. 

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

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Murphy reviewed the revised public health guidance for schools that was released on March 9, 2021, by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Governor’s “bridge” phase to reopening plan that was released that day. He reported the following highlights of the revisions:

There are no more capacity limits for in-person learning, if schools are maintaining appropriate social distance and personal protective equipment. The prior capacity limit was 50 people in any given space.

There is still a capacity limit of 50 people on a bus, and capacity limit of 50 for indoor activities not associated with instruction (athletic contests, Board meetings, etc.).  Outdoor venues may be used at 20 percent capacity.

The social distance guidelines have been changed from six feet to three-six feet.  It is within the guidelines to allow three feet of social distance in a classroom between students.

Districts are no longer required to offer Remote Learning to all students; however, students who are at increased risk, or who live with people at increased risk, must sill be given the Remote Learning option.

He said based on these revised guidelines he recommended the following changes for the beginning of the 2021-22 school year:

1) Remote Learning will only be offered to those students who demonstrate a documented medical hardship. Documentation from a physician will be required to participate in Remote Learning.

2) Remote Learning will not be synchronous, and classes will return to the traditional format. There will be no more “Zoom” in the classroom.

3) The district will return to the traditional school calendar and bell schedule.

At the end of Mr. Murphy’s report Member Hudgins said he did not agree with his proposed plan. He said he wanted the students to return to school doing traditional learning, and to eliminate Zoom and the Google platform before the end of the school year. Following discussion by the Board, their consensus was that philosophically they felt Member Hudgins was correct; however logistically, they felt returning to school in the traditional learning format for the remaining eight weeks of the school year was not going to make a difference.  They felt the focus should be to reach out to parents and students to strongly encourage them to return to school by attending the upcoming summer school program to transition them into the traditional program in August.   

Later in the meeting Mr. Murphy reported that the district would be receiving more federal stimulus money and that he would have recommendations on how to spend the money at an upcoming Board meeting.

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported on the following:
●Spring and Summer Sports
●First home football game against Marion on March 19, 2021.
●The final push towards graduation for seniors
●Third quarter failures
●The ongoing work on the summer school program and the recovery courses in August.
●TerrierFest Theme Prom to be held on Bleyer Field on May 1, 2021. 
●Senior Stock to be held at the Splash Park on May 5, 2021. 
●Senior Movie Night to be held on Bleyer Field on May 5, 2021.
●Graduation Ceremony to be held on Bleyer Field at 3:00 p.m. on May 15, 2021.

Janitorial Contract Extension: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the two-year (2021-22 and 2022-23) contract extension with Quality Clean Janitorial Services as presented.  Roll call: Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Awarding of District Yearbook Photography Bid: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Hudgins, to acknowledge receipt of the bids received for district yearbook photography for a three-year period (2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24); and, to award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder, Iconik Studio, Inc., as presented.  Roll call: Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan and Hudgins voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2021-22 School Calendar First Draft: Mr. Murphy reviewed the first draft of the 2021-22 School Calendar for the Board.  Final adoption of the calendar will occur at the April 22, 2021 Board of Education meeting.

2021-22 IHSA Membership Renewal: Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, to continue membership in the Illinois High School Association for the 2021-22 school year. Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan, Hudgins and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

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, collective negotiating matters and student disciplinary matters (5 ILCS 20/2(c)(1)(2)(9)).  Roll call: VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Meeting Recessed: The meeting recessed at 7:05 p.m. 

Executive Session Convened: The executive session convened at 7:12 p.m. 

Executive Session Adjourned: The executive session adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Meeting Reconvenes: The meeting reconvened at 9:15 p.m. 

2021-2025 Substantive and Professional Agreements Between District 165 Board of Education and the CCHSEA: Motion by Swims, seconded by Woodard, to approve the 2021-2025 (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25) Substantive and Professional Agreements between the Board of Education of District 165 and the Carbondale Community High School Education Association as presented. Roll call: Woodard, Flowers, Galan, Swims, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Member Hudgins voted no. Motion carried.

2021-2025 Substantive Agreement Between District 165 Board of Education and the CCHSEA Service Employees International Union Local 316 Cafeteria: Motion by Swims, seconded by VanWinkle, to approve the 2021-2025 (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25) Substantive Agreement between the Board of Education of District 165 and the Carbondale Community High School Education Association Service Employees International Union Local 316 Cafeteria as presented. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted the yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2021-2025 Educational Support Staff Wage/Salary Package: Motion by Galan, seconded by VanWinkle, to approve the 2021-2025 (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25) Educational Support Staff Wage/Salary Package as presented.  Roll call: Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Introduction of Board Policy 5:330 Update: Mr. Murphy “introduced” Board Policy 5:330, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves,         and indicated the Board’s intention to increase the number of sick days from 12 to 14.  Formal adoption will occur at the April 22, 2021 Board of Education meeting.

Resignations/Retirements: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Hudgins, to accept the resignations/retirements of the following personnel as presented:

a. Retirement of Theresa “Terri” Goodin (Special Education/Reading Teacher) effective at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year.

b. Retirement of Michael Dollins (Science Teacher) effective at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year.

c. Retirement of Kimberly Wheeler (Driver Education Teacher) effect at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year.

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

Request to Change Retirement Date: Motion by Swims, seconded by Galan, to approve the request of Donna Fager to change her retirement day from July 30, 2021 to June 30, 2021 as presented. Roll call: Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan and Hudgins voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of 2020-21 Extra-Duty Personnel: Motion by Swims, seconded by Galan, to employ the following 2020-21 extra- duty personnel as presented:  Assistant Softball Coach: Cody Pike ($300.00), Lindsey Sears ($2,500.00) and Skylar Miller ($1,869.00). Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan, Hudgins and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2020-21 Volunteers: Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the following 2020-21           volunteer coach as presented:  Garrett Marks: Volunteer Assistant Baseball          Coach. Roll call: VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2020-21 Personnel to be Notified of Honorable Dismissal: Motion by Swims, seconded by VanWinkle, to honorably dismiss at the end of the 2020-21 school year, or current grant period, or current contract, the following personnel as presented, due to a discontinuance of services:

Part-time Faculty: Levi Biedermann, Rebecca Browning, Jenna Jamieson and Kevin Stamp

Rebound Grant Personnel: Lisa Britt, Stephanie Brown, Denise Diliberto, Matthew Duckworth, Mark Hutchings, Trebor Mann, Sandra Snowden, Katie Valliant and Jennifer Wharton.

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

2021-22 Administrative and Professional Support Personnel Employment Contracts: Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the following 2021-22 annual administrative and professional support personnel employment contracts as presented: Mark Albertini, Athletic Director; Terica Doyle, Assistant Principal; Ethan Graham, Curriculum Director; Michael Green, Maintenance Director; Mandy McKee, Special Education Director; Gwen Poore, Assistant Principal and Alejandro Ruiz, Dean of Students. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes.  Nay, none. Motion carried.

2021-22 Re-Employment of Tenured and Non-Tenured Faculty and Educational Support, Cafeteria, Maintenance, Aide and Monitor Personnel: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Swims, to re-employ the following Tenured and Non-Tenured Faculty and Educational Support, Cafeteria, Maintenance, Aide and Monitor personnel for the 2021-22 school year as presented:

Tenured Faculty: Daron Absher, Jessica Anderson, Krista Antrim, Helen Aldridge-Bottje, Christopher Apple, Stephen Arvanis, Pamela Barr, Dawn Bassett, Brenda Berg, Erik Berrey, Michelle Buchheit, Charles Buss, Michael Butler, Justin Dennis, Lena Dierks, Michael Dollins,  Betsy Geiselman, Linaya Germann, Emily Goins, Theresa Goodin, Andrew Gwinup, Scott Hankey, Jeff Hansen,  Eric Hanson, Crystal Harsy, Brandi Jones, Sandra Jordan, Lori Koester, Meredith Jones, Bryan Lee, Rasheeda Love, Judy Major, Stacey Massie, Angela Mausey, Christi McGee, Justin Merriman, Donald Moberley, Carrie Mueller, Matthew Peck, Melanie Nelson, Jason Perry, Cara Polczynski, Kyle Povolish, Stephen Powers, Amy Prudencio, Jessica Pyatt, Erin Sagaskie, Tracie Shackles, Sandy Stanley, Greg Storm, Arnold Taylor, Joshua Taylor, Dallas Terry, Michelle Thomas, Greg Townsend, Kimberly Wheeler and Mark Woodside

Non-Tenured Faculty:

Faculty Completing 4th Year: Krystal Kill

Faculty Completing 3rd Year: None

Faculty Completing 2nd Year: Kameilah Amaya-Allen, Katie Bachman, Alexanderia Bassett, Mark Hostert, Jennifer Kennedy, Brenda Krutsinger, Melisa Lopez, Kasey Paris, Jane Rendon, Dawn Taylor and Ashley Ziegler

Faculty Completing 1st Year:  Leigh Burton, Aimee Ellis, Caitlyn Klaybor, Lindsey Sears, Shannon Simmons and Heather Webb

Educational Support Personnel: Rebecca Cissell, Mindy Clark, Brittany DeVantier, Verlena Greer, Rannetta Halteman, Crystal Hicks, Lauren Hannick, Vonda Hill, Marialice Jenkins, Lucia Kelso, Kelly Lannom, Michelle Lewis, Clint Mifflin, Amy Morse, Rachel Peters, Laurie Rendleman, Jarrod Ritter, Sheila Segelken, Rena Weller and Matthew Young

Cafeteria Personnel: Katie Behrens, Jerry Broski, Gregory Donahue, Belinda Hickam, Aubrey Hines, Heather Hines and Robin Mayhugh

Maintenance Personnel: Eric Fowler, Austin Hardwig and Keith Keipp

Aide Personnel:  Paul Decker, Jo Carol Deniston, Denise Dyer, Jeleania Fields, Jennifer Hargrave, Scott Lambert, DeAnne Miller, Heather Taylor and Katherine Vieceili

Monitor Personnel:  Rustin Hadfield, Dominic Johnson, Leila Kassim, Andrew Smith, DeAndre Smith, Kevin Stamp, Unree Westley and Matt Wilson

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

Employment of 2021-22 Science Teacher: Motion by Swims, seconded by VanWinkle, to employ Leslie Neitzer as a full-time Science Teacher for the 2021-22 school year.  Ms. Neitzer’s education and experience will place her at Line 11, Column MA/MS on the Teacher Salary Schedule.  Roll call: Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, motion carried.

Employment of Financial Officer: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to employ Ray Toliver as the

Financial Officer of Carbondale Community High School District 165 effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, with a salary of $90,000.00.  Roll call: Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan and Hudgins voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

April Board Meeting: The April Board of Education meeting will be Thursday, April 22, 2021.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

APPROVED: APRIL 22, 2021