MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS, HELD FEBRUARY 15, 2024
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 15, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Upon roll call, the following members were present:
Rania Dababneh Francis Tsung
Linda Flowers Julie VanWinkle
Lana Galan
The following members were absent:
Wendall Pohlman Christopher Swims
Also present were:
Daniel Booth Ryan Thomas
Ray Toliver, Jr. Ethan Graham
President VanWinkle declared a quorum present and the regular meeting of February 15, 2024, was called to order.
Secretary Pro Tem: Member Linda Flowers served as Secretary Pro Tem in Wendall Pohlman’s absence.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the December 14, 2023, executive session minutes, and the minutes of the regular meeting of January 18, 2024. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Old Business—None
Public Comments—None
FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2023-24 FOIA requests received to date.
Payment of Bills: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Tsung, to pay the remaining bills for the month of January 2024; and, those available for payment for the month of February 2024. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
ESSER III Grant Expenditures: The Board received an update on the ESSER III Grant expenditures.
Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reviewed the Principal’s Report for the Board.
8th Grade Day/Night Recap
--280-290 Students Attended
--100 Families Attended
--Counselors will follow-up at feeder schools the last week of February.
Post Season
--Daniel Pitafi: Speech State Finals
--Julie Abarca-Todaro: Bowling State Finals
--Isaac Smith and Thomas Imboden: Wrestling State Final
--Isaac Smith set school record for pin in a season. --Freshman Boys Basketball Team placed 2nd at the Conference Tournament.
--CCHS Scholar Bowl Team won their 17th straight conference tournament.
Recognition
--Seth Daniels named Skills USA Illinois State Officer in Mechanical Engineering.
--Yoonseo Jung: Coca-Cola Scholar
--150 Recipients out of 104,000 Applicants
--$25,000 Scholarship
--4 SIU Chancellor’s Scholarships Awarded
--Eli Collinsworth, Jordan Grubbs, Joselyn Lin and Clark Anderson
--Coach Bryan Lee was awarded ISBE’s Those Who Excel Award for Meritorious Service.
Upcoming Events
--District 95 Musical February 16-18
--Terrier Talent Show: February 24
--Carbondale Warming Center Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser: February 24
--3rd Quarter Ends March 8
Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Booth reviewed the Superintendent’s Report for the Board.
Construction Updates:
CTE Addition Project: The water and gas line work has been completed. Berry Concrete is currently doing site work. The materials and steel have been ordered. Once the project is complete the Building and Grounds Committee will meet to share future project possibilities with the Board of Education.
An informational meeting on the new cosmetology program was held and 28 students attended.
Solar Panels Project:
There are no new updates on the solar panel project. Bond funds have been acquired and materials have been ordered.
Job Postings:
With resignations and hires that evening, the district will continue to post positions and hire until all positions are filled. The following positions are expected to be filled next month: School Counselor, Drivers Education Teacher and Assistant Principal. Mr. Booth said he met with the Department Chairs about embracing the reality of hiring, training, coaching, and supporting young teachers as the District looks to fill positions.
Tri-County Special Education (TCSE) Classroom Transition:
The District houses a Tri-County Special Education classroom in the high school called REACH. The program is for students who are not at the cognitive or academic level to be in the general education environment. Instruction is given in a cross-categorical classroom where students are progress-monitored frequently to ensure that the most appropriate teaching strategies are being utilized with each student. As appropriate, students are integrated into academic and non-academic activities within the building. There are 11 students in the class.
TCSE is going to close the classroom due to financial issues and has requested that CCHS absorb the classroom into our programming. If the District chooses to do this, we need to hire a teacher and aide for the class, which would cost approximately $120,000 per year. Currently there are seven students in the program that CCHS pays TCSE tuition for, at a rate of $12,647 per student, totaling $88,529 per year. The District would absorb this cost. Also, currently there are four out-of-district students in the program, that would pay tuition to CCHS for housing the students (4 x $13,998 CCHS tuition = $55,992). With the cost absorbed from tuition-paid, and the cost of tuition-received, the program should not cost the district any additional money, and we will continue to offer a program that is needed for a population of the district’s students. Mr. Booth said he will prepare a recommendation for the program and teaching position for the March Board meeting.
Strategic Planning Progress:
The following updates will be given to the Board on the strategic plan:
June: Share the end of year report on the strategic plan progress.
July: Superintendent’s Evaluation
Board Data Update Reports: The Board received the January Student Attendance Report and Terrier Times Tutoring Student Attendance Report.
Strategic Planning Progress Update: Mr. Booth, Mr. Graham, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Toliver reviewed the KPI’s and Targets in the Strategic Planning Progress PowerPoint presentation for the Board. PowerPoint Attached
Request to Solicit Photography Services Bid: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Galan, for approval to solicit photography services bids for FY25, FY26 and FY27, as presented. Roll call: Galan, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2023-24 Mid-Year Graduates: Motion by Galan, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the February 15, 2024, mid-year graduation for the students as presented. Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2023-24 Board Sponsored Activities: Motion by Galan, seconded by Tsung, to approve the following 2023-24 Board sponsored activities:
1. 2023-24 Top Ten Academic Student Recognition Program--The 2023-24 Top Ten Academic Student Recognition Program is on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the gym.
2. 2023-24 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 2, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Carbondale Civic Center.
3. 2023-24 Graduation Ceremony--Member Francis Tsung will receive the Class of 2024 at the Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the SIU Banterra Center, at 3:00 p.m.
4. 2023-24 Retirement Reception (TBD)--Retirees:
Michael Dollins, Science Teacher (24 years)
Sandy Stanley, Mathematics Teacher (34 years)
Arnold Taylor, Spanish Teacher (19 years)
Kimberly Wheeler, Drivers Education Teacher (20 years)
5. 2023-24 Carbondale Middle School Graduation Ceremony Representatives--Member Christopher Swims and Ryan Thomas will receive the Carbondale Middle School Class of 2024 at their Graduation Ceremony.
Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
SIHS Athletic Trainer Support Agreement: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Galan, to approve the Southern Illinois Hospital Services Athletic Trainer Support Agreement as presented. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Resignations/Retirements: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Galan, to accept the following resignations/ retirements as presented:
a. Resignation of Jason Perry as a 2023-24 Assistant Boys/Girls Track Coach effective January 23, 2024.
b. Resignation of Rasheeda Love as a 2023-24 Assistant Boys/Girls Track Coach effective February 6, 2024.
c. Resignation of Ashley Boan (Math Teacher) effective at the end of the 2023-24 school year.
Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Employment of 2023-24 Extra-Duty Personnel—None
Employment of 2024-25 Licensed Personnel:
Math Teachers:
Motion by Galan, seconded by Tsung, to employ Jianlan “Nicole” Feng, pending receipt of her Illinois Professional Educator License, as a full-time Math Teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Ms. Feng’s education and experience will place her at Line 0, Column BA/BS on the 2024-25 Teacher Salary Schedule. Roll call: Galan, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Motion by Tsung, seconded by Tsung, to employ Carlie Page, pending receipt of her Illinois Professional Educator License, as a full-time Math Teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Ms. Feng’s education and experience will place her at Line 0, Column BA/BS on the 2024-25 Teacher Salary Schedule. Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Science Teacher:
Motion by Galan, seconded by Dababneh, to employ Kurtis “Levi” Milliron as a full-time Science Teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Mr. Milliron’s education and experience will placed him at Line 2, Column MA/MS on the 2024-25 Teacher Salary Schedule. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
German Teacher:
Motion by Tsung, seconded by Dababneh, to employ Chelsea McGee as a full-time German Teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Ms. McGee’s education and experience will place her at Line 0, Column BA/BS+24 on the 2024-25 Teacher Salary Schedule. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2023-24 Volunteers: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Galan, to approve Marissa Ivory as a 2023-24 Boys/Girls Track Volunteer. Roll call: Flowers, Galan Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
For Your Information Items:
Spring Break: March 11-15, 2024
Next Board Meeting: Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Executive Session: Motion by Galan, 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 (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)); and, to adjourn the Board of Education Meeting immediately following the executive session. Roll call: Galan, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
The meeting recessed at 7:36 p.m. The executive session convened at 7:42 p.m. The executive session adjourned at 9:28 p.m. President VanWinkle stated no action was taken while in executive session.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
MINUTES APPROVED: March 21, 2024