January 2026
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD JANUARY 15, 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, January 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Upon roll call, the following members were present:
Linda Flowers Neophansya Robinson
Paul Fraizer Christopher E. Swims
Lana Galan Julie Womick 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 January 15, 2026, was called to order.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Swims, seconded by Robinson, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of December 18, 2025. Roll call: Flowers, Fraizer, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Old Business—None
Public Comments—None
Recognition of Student/Teacher Achievements—None
FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2025-26 FOIA Requests received to date.
Payment of Bills: Motion by Swims, seconded by Robinson, to pay the remaining bills for the month of December 2025; and, those available for payment for the month of January 2026. Roll call: Fraizer, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reviewed his January Newsletter that was sent to parents, and he gave an update on the activities happening on campus.
Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Thomas gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Strategic Plan Progress Report on the KPI’s and Targets for the Board. (Attachment #1)
Board Data Update Reports: The Board received the December Student Attendance Report for their information.
Member Leaves and Returns to Meeting: Member Swims left the meeting at 6:44 p.m. and returned at 6:46 p.m.
2026 Love Your Heart Contest: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Galan, to approve the 2026 Love Your Heart Contest. Roll call: Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers and Fraizer voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Bids/Quotes—None
Resignation/Retirements—None
Employment of Cook: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Galan, to retroactively employ Beverly Moore as a full-time Cook effective December 16, 2025, at the rate of $16.25 per hour for the 2025-26 school year. Roll call: Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers, Fraizer and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2025-26 Volunteers—None
For Your Information Items:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast: Monday, January 19, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., at the SIU Student Center.
Next Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Executive Session: Motion by Swims, seconded by Robinson, to go into executive session to discuss information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees (5 ILCS 20/2(c)(1)); and, to adjourn the Board of Education meeting following the conclusion of the executive session. Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers, Fraizer, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Meeting Recessed: The meeting recessed at 6:49 p.m.
Executive Session Convenes: The executive session convened at 6:54 p.m.
Executive Session Adjourns: The executive session adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
Minutes Approved: February 19, 2026