February 2025
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS, HELD FEBRUARY 20, 2025
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 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Upon roll call, the following members were present:
Rania Dababneh Neophansya Robinson
Linda Flowers (Virtual) Christopher E. Swims (Virtual)
Lana Galan (Virtual) Julie VanWinkle
Wendell Pohlman
Also present were:
Daniel Booth Ryan Thomas
Ray Toliver, Jr. Lena Dierks
President VanWinkle declared a quorum present and the regular meeting of February 20, 2025, was called to order.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the minutes and the executive session minutes of the regular meeting of January 18, 2025. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Old Business—None
Public Comments—None
FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2024-25 FOIA requests received to date.
Payment of Bills: Motion by Dababneh, seconded by Swims, to pay the remaining bills for the month of January 2025; and, those available for payment for the month of February 2025. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reviewed the Principal’s Report for the Board.
Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Booth reviewed the Superintendent’s Report for the Board.
Construction Updates:
1. The CTE building addition is in use. The Open House/Ribbon Cutting date will be March 27, 2025, from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
2. The solar panels project began October 1, 2024, with a six-month completion timeline. All panels are in place and they are working on the connectors.
3. District Architect, Paul Lunsford is working on the bid documents for the Science Department. Once the bids have been received discussion on funding the project will begin.
4. Tennis Shade Proposal—Mr. Booth shared a proposal to install shades in the area between the campus tennis courts. E.T. Simonds has agreed to do all the labor if the district purchases the supplies.
Athletic Strategic Planning:
The committee met on February 14, 2025. The final plan is being edited for distribution. The real work starts once the plan is completed, and action teams and plans are comprised to begin continuous improvement work.
Athletic Conference Discussions:
Mr. Booth gave an update on the South Seven Conference and the discussions on the next steps in pursuing increased membership options. The South Seven Conference has made an official invitation to Jerseyville, Bethalto, Civic Memorial, Highland, and Waterloo to join the conference. It is not expected that all four will accept the invitation, but the schools within the conference wanted to extend the invitation due to the recent developments in their current conference.
Social Studies Teacher, C.J. Buss Recognized:
Mr. Buss was recognized for being one of the 500 teachers to be chosen by the Illinois State Board of Education to receive a Those Who Excel Award of Excellence.
Ray Toliver, Jr. Recognized:
Mr. Toliver was recognized for his recent selection into the Illinois Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) Board of Directors. There are approximately 15 individuals across the state on the Board of Directors that work to lead school business officials and advocate for educational funding on the state level.
Strategic Planning Progress:
The following updates will be given to the Board on the strategic plan:
June: Share end of year report on strategic plan progress.
July: Superintendent Evaluation
Board Data Update Reports: The Board received the following update reports in their packet:
1. January 2025 ADA and ADM Attendance Report
2. December 2024 Terrier Tutoring Attendance Report
3. January 2025 Terrier Tutoring Attendance Report
Awarding of Running Track Contract Bids: Motion by Robinson, seconded by Swims, to acknowledge receipt of the bids received for the replacement of the running track; and, to award the bids to the lowest responsible bidders as presented by District Architect, Paul Lunsford:
Asphalt Construction Contract: Awarded to Samron Midwest Contracting of Murphysboro, Illinois, for a base bid amount of $197,200.00.
Track Surface Construction Contract: Awarded to Byrne & Jones Construction of St. Louis, Missouri for a base bid amount of $236,000.00.
Roll call: Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2024-25 Mid-Year Graduates: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to approve the February 20, 2025, mid-year graduation for the students as presented. Roll call: Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2024-25 Board Sponsored Activities: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Robinson, to approve the following 2024-25 Board sponsored activities:
1. 2024-25 Top Ten Academic Student Recognition Program--The 2024-25 Top Ten Academic Student Recognition Program is on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the gym.
2. 2024-25 Board of Education Student Artwork Award--The Administration, on behalf of the Board of Education, will present a certificate/cash award ($200) at the Awards Night Ceremony on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Carbondale Civic Center.
3. 2024-25 Graduation Ceremony--Members, Rania Dababneh and Wendell Pohlman, will receive the Class of 2025 at the Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the SIU Banterra Center, at 3:00 p.m.
4. 2024-25 Retirement Reception (TBD)--Retirees: Dr. Justin Dennis (English Teacher); 26 years of service at CCHS; Mark Woodside (Special Ed. Teacher), 20 years of service at CCHS.
5. 2024-25 Carbondale Middle School Graduation Ceremony Representatives--Member Christopher Swims and Ryan Thomas will receive the Carbondale Middle School Class of 2025 at their Graduation Ceremony.
Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois Memorandum of Understanding: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois and Carbondale Community High School District 165 to establish an Esports Program as presented. Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman and Robinson voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Amended 2025 Negotiations Operating Rules and Tentative Time Frame: Motion by Dababneh, seconded by Swims, to approve the Amended 2025 Negotiations Operating Rules and tentative time frame as presented. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Resignations/Retirements: Motion by Robinson, seconded by Pohlman, to accept the following resignations/retirements as presented:
a. Resignation of Arielle Beck (Cosmetology Teacher Aide) effective January 24, 2025.
b. Resignation of Julianna Mitchell (Cook) effective February 3, 2025.
Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Employment of 2024-25 Duty Personnel: Motion by Dababneh, seconded by Pohlman, to employ the following 2024-25 extra-duty personnel as presented:
Asst. Musical Director: Grant Miller $750.00
Asst. Boys/Girls Track Coach: Marissa Ivory $3,139.00, Joshua Vogel $3,100.00, Chris Burnside $2,000.00
Asst. Baseball Coach: Jimmy Karayiannis $2,000.00, Rick Galloway $2,000.00, Blake DeRocher $2,000.00
Martrez “Trez” Hannah $500.00
Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Employment of 2025-26 English Teacher: Motion by Robinson, seconded by Dababneh, to employ Jayden Touchette as a full-time English Teacher for the 2025-26 school year. Ms. Touchette’s education and experience will place her at Line 1, Column BA/BS on the pending 2025-26 Teacher Salary Schedule. Roll call: Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2024-25 Volunteers: Motion by Dababneh, seconded by Pohlman, to approve Kelly Higgins as a 2024-25 Volunteer Softball Coach. Roll call: Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
For Your Information Items:
Spring Break: March 10-14, 2025
Next Board Meeting: Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Executive Session: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Dababneh, to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees, and collective bargaining matters (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)(2)); and, to adjourn the Board of Education Meeting at the conclusion of the executive session. Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
The meeting recessed at 6:57 p.m. The executive session convened at 7:07 p.m. The executive session adjourned at 9:34 p.m. President VanWinkle stated no action was taken while in executive session.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Minutes Approved: March 20, 2025