April 2026
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD APRIL 16, 2026 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, April 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Upon roll call, the following members were present:
Linda Flowers Neophansya Robinson
Paul Frazier Christopher E. Swims (Virtual)
Wendell Pohlman Julie Womick VanWinkle
The following member was absent: Lana Galan
Also present:
Daniel Booth Stacey Massie
Ray Toliver, Jr. Caitlyn Klaybor
Ryan Thomas Daja Smith
Lena Dierks
President VanWinkle declared a quorum present and the regular meeting of April 16, 2026, was called to order.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Flowers, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of March 19, 2026. Roll call: Flowers, Frazier, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Old Business: No old business.
Public Comments: No public comments.
Hope Magee Recognition: The Board recognized Hope Magee for receiving the John A, Logan College Ambassador’s Scholarship award. Hope will receive a full ride scholarship from the JALC Foundation. She was presented with a Board Education recognition glass.
2025 Board Leader Recognition: The Board recognized Dr. Linda Flowers for receiving the 2025 Board Leader Recognition Achievement from the Illinois Association of School Boards. The IASB’s Board Leader Recognition Program recognizes school board members for the time and effort they devote to learning and leadership activities provided by the Association, as well as for service to the public education community. Dr. Flowers received both the Established and Distinguished status lapel pins along with an umbrella recognizing this achievement.
FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2025-26 FOIA requests received to date.
Payment of Bills: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to pay the remaining bills for the month of March 2026; and, those available for payment for the month of April 2026. Roll call: Frazier, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported on the current activities occurring on campus.
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Booth reviewed his Superintendent’s Report for the Board.
Construction Updates
Science Addition: The science addition continues to move forward. Foundations and footings have been installed, rough plumbing is complete, and the masons have begun brickwork. Steel has been erected and masons, roofers, and windows will begin to seal the building. The project is not planned to be completed by the start of the school year and this has been reported to science faculty. Projected completion will be after the start of the first quarter of the 2026-27 school year.
Future Project Planning: The administration is currently working with the architect to model and budget plans for the following future projects:
1. Softball and baseball locker rooms
2. Soccer locker rooms
3. Baseball and softball bleachers and press box. Expected cost for these projects will be around $1.4 million dollars.
4. 10-year Health Life Safety projects
Remote Learning Plan
Time-Line:
April Board Meeting: Include the plan in the Board packet again and provide additional opportunities for Board questions or information requests. Following the meeting, distribute surveys and gather stakeholder input as requested.
May Board Meeting: Present the results of the information gathered and the feedback received.
June/July Board Meeting: Conduct the public hearing and bring the final recommendation to the Board. We will determine the specific month as the process progresses.
Dr. Booth reviewed a recap from the discussion at the March Board meeting:
The CCHSEA membership vote was 47–25 (65%–35%) in favor of bringing a plan to the Board for consideration. Dr. Booth said he wanted to make it clear that this will likely be a controversial vote when/if it comes forward (likely in June). The 35% who oppose remote days are strongly concerned about losing in-person instructional time.
The Board reviewed the plan and held about a 15‑minute discussion to clarify items that were unclear and to identify additional information they felt would help them decide. Below is a summary of the questions and comments that emerged:
1. Is there a way to guarantee that all students have access to electronic devices for remote engagement?
2. Even if students have devices, can we guarantee that they have reliable internet access?
3. These same two concerns were raised for faculty and staff who would be expected to work on remote days.
4. Board members asked whether students might have other responsibilities at home during snow days—such as caring for siblings—and how that would impact their ability to participate.
5. A similar concern was raised about staff who may need to care for their own children during these days.
6. There was a question about the type of work faculty and support staff would be expected to complete. The Board expressed discomfort with the idea of faculty only being available for questions while students were completing physical assignments.
The Board discussed the possibility of surveying students and support staff about these issues. They also considered surveying parents but expressed concern about low participation rates or responses skewed toward families with internet access and devices. The 2025-26 participation rate on the 5 Essentials Survey was referenced as an example. The Board received draft student and support staff surveys for their review.
Following further discussion among the Board, Dr. Booth advised them that he would take their additional comments and concerns and revise the surveys, and bring the survey results back to the Board at the May
March Board Data Reports: The Board received the March Student Attendance Report and March Terrier Tutoring Student Attendance Report.
2026 Board of Education Student Artwork Purchase Award: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Robinson, to approve the annual student artwork purchase award ($200) as presented. Roll call: Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers and Frazier voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Request to Solicit Bids for 2026-27 Milk and Bread Products: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Robinson, to solicit bids for milk and bread products for the 2026-27 school year as presented. Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers, Frazier and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2026-27 Employee Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance Renewal: Motion by Frazier, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the 2026-27 employee health insurance renewal with QHP and Aetna Network, dental and vision insurance renewal with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and life insurance renewal with Dearborn as presented. Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers, Frazier, Pohlman and Robinson voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Fire Alarm: The building fire alarm went off at 6:53 p.m. and the meeting recessed. It was determined to be a false alarm triggered by a student. The meeting reconvened at 7:04 p.m.
Presentation of 2025-26 Amended Budget for Public Display: Ray Toliver, Jr. reviewed the 2025-26 Amended Budget for the Board.
Motion by Flowers, seconded by Robinson, to receive the amended budget for the 2025-26 school year, place it on display for the public at the district office, the high school office, and the Carbondale Public Library, and to hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. Roll call: VanWinkle, Flowers, Frazier, Pohlman, Robinson and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Resolution Directing the School Treasurer to Transfer Funds from the O & M Fund to the DS Fund: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Frazier, to approve the Resolution Directing the School Treasurer to Transfer Funds from the Operations and Maintenance Fund to the Debt Service Fund in the amount of $44,343.75. Roll call: Flowers, Frazier, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2026-27 Intergovernmental Agreement with ROE 30 for COPE, Project SOAR and Attendance Support: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Robinson, to approve the 2026-27 Intergovernmental Agreement with ROE 30 for COPE, Project SOAR and Attendance Support as presented. Roll call: Frazier, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2026-27 Consolidated District Plan: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Robinson, to approve the 2026-27 Consolidated District Plan as presented. Roll call: Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers and Frazier voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
IASB PRESS Issue 121 Board Policy Manual Updates—First Reading: The Board received IASB PRESS Issue 121 Board Policy Manual updated for first reading. Final adoption of IASB PRESS Issue 121 Board Policy Manual updates will occur at the May 21, 2026, Board of Education meeting.
Resignations/Retirements: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Flowers, to accept the resignations/ retirements of the following personnel as presented:
a. Resignation letter from Fae Ragan, Head Volleyball Coach, effective March 23, 2026.
b. Resignation letter from Austin Knoob, Teacher Aide, effective April 10, 2026.
Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers, Frazier and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Employment of Personnel: No employment of personnel recommendations.
2025-26 Volunteers: No 2025-26 volunteer recommendations.
For Your Information Items:
Awards Night: May 7, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Carbondale Civic Center
Graduation: May 16, 2026, 3:00 p.m., at the Banterra Center
Next Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Executive Session: No Executive Session.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
Minutes Approved: May 28, 2026