February 2026
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS, HELD FEBRUARY 19, 2026
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 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Upon roll call, the following members were present:
Linda Flowers (Virtual) Neophansya Robinson
Paul Frazier Christopher E. Swims
Lana Galan Julie Womick VanWinkle
The following member was absent: Wendell Pohlman
Also present were:
Daniel Booth Lena Dierks
Ryan Thomas
President VanWinkle declared a quorum present and the regular meeting of February 19, 2026, was called to order.
Secretary Pro Tem: Member Galan served as Secretary Pro Tem in Wendell Pohlman’s absence.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Robinson, seconded by Swims, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of January 15, 2026. Roll call: Flowers, Frazier, Galan, 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 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 January 2026; and, those available for payment for the month of February 2026. Roll call: Frazier, Galan, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reviewed the Principal’s Report for the Board.
2026 Chancellor’s Scholarship Recipients: The Board recognized Cate Duckworth, Nadya Jayawardene, Ibrahim Makhdoom and Reese Povolish. The students were among 565 applicants for the 2026 Chancellor’s Scholarship, and 4 of the 43 recipients who were awarded the $108,000 scholarship. The students were presented with Board of Education recognition glasses.
Dr. Linda Flowers Recognized: The Board recognized Board member, Dr. Linda Flowers. She was recognized by SIU as a Changemaker and Voice of Impact for her leadership, service, and scholarship that has shaped lives, opened pathways, and strengthened the Saluki community. She and six other SIU alums were recognized at a luncheon on February 6 at the SIU Student Center.
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Booth reviewed the Superintendent’s Report for the Board.
Construction Updates:
1. Solar Panels: The district has received the $1 million-dollar federal rebate, which was applied towards the bond acquired for the solar panel project. The substation upgrades are complete, and the solar panels have been activated. The administration is currently undergoing training to track power supply usage and to manage the acquisition of the remaining yearly rebates from the State of Illinois.
2. Science Addition Progress: The science addition continues to move forward. The foundations and footings have been installed, rough plumbing is complete, and the masons have begun brick work. The masons will remain on-site for the next three weeks, and during spring break the ironworkers will begin erecting steel. The project is on target for summer completion.
3. Future Project Planning: The administration is working with the district architect to model and budget plans for the following future projects:
a. Softball and Baseball Locker Rooms
b. Soccer Locker Rooms
c. Baseball and Softball Bleachers and Press Boxes--1. Expected cost for these projects will be around $1.4 million dollars.
d. 10-Year Health Life Safety Projects
Remote Learning: Dr. Booth advised the Board that he had received a request from the Teachers’ Union requesting the district explore implementing a remote learning plan for inclement weather days next year. Dr. Booth informed them of the steps involved and what the timeline would look like in implementing the plan. He said further discussion will occur at the March Board meeting.
January Board Attendance Reports: The Board received the January ADA and ADM Attendance Report and Terrier Tutoring Attendance Report.
2025-26 Mid-Year Graduates: Motion by Frazier, seconded by Swims, to approve the February 19, 2026, mid-year graduation for the students as presented. Roll call: Galan, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers and Frazier voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Member Leaves Meeting: Member Swims left the meeting at 6:26 p.m.
2025-26 Board-Sponsored Activities: Motion by Frazier, seconded by Robinson, to approve the following 2025-26 Board-sponsored activities:
1. Top Ten Academic Student Recognition Program--The 2025-26 Top Ten Academic Student Recognition Program is on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the gym.
2. 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 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Carbondale Civic Center.
3. Graduation Ceremony/Board Member to Receive Class of 2026--Member, Julie Womick VanWinkle, will receive the Class of 2026 at the Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the SIU Banterra Center, at 3:00 p.m.
4. Retirement Luncheon (TBD)--Retirees:
Pam Barr, Special Education Teacher--17 Years of service at CCHS.
Jason Perry, Mathematics Teacher--33 Years of service at CCHS.
Jane Rendon, Spanish Teacher--18 Years of service at CCHS.
Gwen Poore, Athletic Director--16 Years of service at CCHS: Business Teacher 2001-2008; Assistant Principal 2017-2021; Athletic Director 2021-2026
5. Carbondale Middle School Graduation Ceremony Representatives--Member Swims and Ryan Thomas will receive the Carbondale Middle School Class of 2027 at their Graduation Ceremony.
Roll call: Robinson, VanWinkle, Flowers, Frazier and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Resignations/Retirements: Motion by Galan, seconded by Robinson, to accept the following resignations/ retirements as presented:
a. Resignation letter from Daja Smith, Assistant Girls Soccer Coach effective February 12, 2026.
b. Retirement letter from Susan Murphy, Special Education Teacher, effective at the end of the 2025-26 summer school session.
Roll call: VanWinkle, Flowers, Frazier, Galan and Robinson voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Employment of Personnel
2025-26 Extra-duty Personnel: Motion by Frazier, seconded by Robinson, to employ the following 2025-26 Extra-Duty Personnel as presented:
Play II Director: A.J. Rice $1,446.00, Ben Harsy $1,000.00
Play II Assistant Director: TeeKae Kelly $775.00, Josh Taylor $750.00, Seth Kohlhaas $550.00, Kory Shute $225.00
Thespians Club Sponsor: Cara Mannczynski $379.00
Show Choir: Cara Mannczynski $379.00
Spring Weight Room Supervisor: Kevin Stamp $2,405.00
Assistant Softball Coach: Olivia Bradford $3,357.00, Karly Williard $3,357.00, Matt Duckworth $500.00
Assistant Baseball Coach: James Karayiannis $2,000.00, Blake DeRocher $2,000.00, Trez Hannah $2,000.00, Blake Wolfe $1,214.00
Assistant Boys Tennis Coach: Phen Grant $1,705.00, Tom Brooke $700.00
Assistant Girls Soccer Coach: Sian Person $2,405.00
Roll call: Flowers, Frazier, Galan, Robinson and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2026-27 Mathematics Teacher: Motion by Robinson, seconded by Galan, to employ Audrey Brumfield as a full-time Mathematics Teacher for the 2026-27 school year. Ms. Brumfield’s education and experience will place her at Line 0, Column BA/BS on the 2026-27 Teacher Salary Schedule. Roll call: Frazier, Galan, Robinson, VanWinkle and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Member Returns to Meeting: Member Swims returned to the meeting at 6:32 p.m.
2026-27 Special Education Teachers: Motion by Swims, seconded by Robinson, to employ the following full-time Special Education Teachers for the 2026-27 school year:
Devon Gaston: Ms. Gaston’s education and experience will place her at Line 4, Column MA/MS on the 2026-27 Teacher Salary Schedule.
Holly Popov: Ms. Popov’s education and experience will place her at Line 5, Column BA/BS on the 2026-27 Teacher Salary Schedule. Roll call: voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Roll call: Galan, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers and Frazier voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Athletic Director: Motion by Swims, seconded by Robinson, to employ Timothy R. Gould as the Athletic Director effective July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027, with a salary of $105,000.00 for the 2026-27 school year. Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers, Frazier and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Rebound Grant Employee Position Transfer: Motion by Robinson, seconded by Swims, to approve the transfer of Marissa Ivory from the Rebound ASP/Student Support Facilitator position to the Birth-to-Three Parent Educator/Home Visitor position effective March 1, 2026, at the rate of $21.00 per hour at 37.5 hours per week. Hours may be reduced during the summer months or until adequate student enrollment is achieved. Employment is contingent upon grant funding and adequate student enrollment. Your maximum length of employment will be March 1, 2026 through July 31, 2026. Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers, Frazier, Galan and Robinson voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Rebound Grant Employee Transition to Part-time Status: Motion by Robinson, seconded by Swims, to retroactively transition Rebound grant employee Chloe Baez (Parent Educator) from full-time (37.5 hours per week) employment to part-time (18.5 hours per week) employment effective February 14, 2026. Roll call: VanWinkle, Flowers, Frazier, Galan, Robinson and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2025-26 Volunteers: Motion by Swims, seconded by Robinson, to approve Matthew Hendricks as a volunteer baseball coach for the 2025-26 school year. Roll call: Flowers, Frazier, Galan, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
For Your Information Items:
Spring Break: March 9-13, 2026
Next Board Meeting: Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Executive Session—None
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
Minutes Approved: March 19, 2026