June 2019 School Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD JUNE 20, 2019

The regular scheduled 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, June 20, 2019, at 7:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers                         Francis Tsung
Lana Galan                             Julie VanWinkle
Joe Hudgins                            Brian Woodard

The following member was absent:  Christopher Swims

Also present were:

Stephen Murphy                     Susan Pinmentel
Donna Fager                           Elius Reed
Ryan Thomas                          Carlton Smith
Ed Benyas

President Woodard declared a quorum present and the regular scheduled meeting of June 20, 2019, was called to order.

Public Hearing: 2018-19 Amended Budget: President Woodard opened the public hearing to receive public comments on the 2018-19 Amended Budget.  

Motion by Flowers, seconded by Hudgins, to close the public hearing regarding the 2018-19 Amended Budget. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting of May 15, 2019, and the special meeting of May 30, 2019. Roll call: Galan, Hudgins, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

Public Comments:

Ed Benyas: Mr. Benyas asked the Board if they had any questions about his letter sent to them on March 29, 2019. Hearing no response, Mr. Benyas indicated that he wanted the Board to consider pursuing a larger auditorium like Carterville and Marion have. Mr. Murphy indicated that an auditorium expansion might be cost prohibitive. Mr. Benyas suggested the district attempt to partner with SIU to fund a project.

Carlton Smith: Mr. Smith suggested the district consider evaluating safety upgrades following the incident on the bus this Spring. Mr. Murphy said that he had reported on the safety evaluation at the last Board meeting. Mr. Smith also suggested the school be open for a tour, or some other type of outreach, for the Black Alumni event at SIU this July in order to help attract minority teaching applicants.

Elius Reed: Mr. Reed indicated that he spoke to Steve Murphy recently about a *CCHS Local 773 Union High School Apprenticeship Program at Shawnee Community College and wanted to know the status of Mr. Murphy's follow-up. Mr. Murphy indicated that he had spoken to the Union representative, who was attempting to work with John A. Logan to set up a similar program. Mr. Murphy indicated that the district would evaluate how the second year of the pilot program worked at Shawnee this upcoming year. Mr. Reed gave a brochure to Mr. Murphy about the program.

Susan Pinmentel: Ms. Pinmentel urged the Board to consider an auditorium expansion. She delivered pictures of Carterville, Marion, and Murphysboro's auditoriums. Ms. Pinmentel indicated that the board spent more than a million dollars on Bleyer field and the track, which was spent without adequately considering other needs. She said that she knew school personnel felt the auditorium space was adequate, but that with the success of our fine arts program, we should have an auditorium that matches up to other schools in the area.

Payment of Bills: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Flowers, to pay the remaining bills for the month of May 2019; and, those available for payment for the month of June 2019.  Roll call:  Hudgins, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Murphy indicated that the press boxes at the softball and baseball fields would be demolished.

Facility Improvements Committee Update: Mr. Murphy indicated that he was still working on evaluating whether the

district would be eligible for capital improvement funding in the recently passed State Budget. He said that originally it seemed like the funds could be available this summer, but it appears the State has established a committee that will determine grant eligibility by March 1, 2020. Mr. Murphy said that projects such as classroom additions, science and shop renovations would very likely be eligible for funding. Athletic projects would likely not be eligible.

Mr. Murphy also said he would do additional follow-up on the auditorium. Member Hudgins asked how much sales tax revenue District 95 received, and if it would be possible to collaborate with them. Mr. Murphy indicated that District 95 received at least a million dollars annually. Member Tsung asked if the high school or the City should spearhead a collaboration effort. Mr. Murphy said that he would reach out to both Superintendent Booth at District 95 and Chancellor Dunn at SIU. Mr. Murphy also indicated he would also discuss the issue with all the feeder school superintendents.

2019-20 Milk and Bread Products Bids: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Galan, to acknowledge receipt of the bid received for 2019-20 milk and bread products; and, to award the bids to the lowest responsible bidders, Prairie Farms Dairy and Lewis Bakeries:

Milk Bid
Prairie Farms Dairy                .2563   1% White ½ pt.
P.O. Box 128                          .2805   Grade A Skim Chocolate ½ pt.
Olney, IL 62450                     .2805   Grade A Skim Strawberry ½ pt.
                                                .2458   Grade A Skim ½ pt.
Bread Bid
Lewis Bakeries                       Whole Grain Sandwich Bread, Per Slice       $.075 each          
500 N. Fulton Ave.                 Whole Grain Hot Dog Buns, Per Bun            $.169 each
Evansville, IN 47710             Whole Grain Hamburger Buns, Per Bun        $.169 each

Roll call:  Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan and Hudgins voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Roof Replacement Bid: Mr. Murphy outlined the recommendation to replace one roof section (Shop Wing) starting in July. Member Galan asked how dire the need was to replace the roof sections. Mr. Murphy indicated that the replacement could wait until next summer, but that eventually we would need to replace the remaining sections of roof within the next 3-4 years. Member Flowers asked how long the warranty was, and Mr. Murphy said it would be 30 years on the replacement, but no real warranty on repairs. Member Tsung said it didn't seem to make sense to spend $22,000 in repairs when we would need to replace so soon in the future. Member Woodard indicated that if we replaced this section, it would likely mean that we could replace the rest of the roof in an upcoming summer. Member Tsung asked how long the bids were good, and Mr. Murphy said 60 days. Member Hudgins asked if the roof was leaking now, and if we would get the insurance money regardless of our course of action. Mr. Murphy replied that we would get the money, and that the roof was not leaking. Member Woodard asked if we had used the low bidder before, and Mr. Murphy indicated that we had in 2017.

Motion by Galan, seconded by VanWinkle, to acknowledge receipt of the bids received for the Original Building Wind Damage Roof Replacement; and, to reject the Base Bid of D7 Roofing as being non-responsive, and award the contract to Geissler Roofing Co. Inc. of Belleville, IL, for the Base Bid in the amount of $152,810.00.  Roll call:  VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan and Tsung voted yes.  Member Hudgins voted no.  Motion carried.

2018-19 Amended Budget: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Flowers, to approve the 2018-19 Amended Budget as presented.  Roll call: Woodard, Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2019-20 Official School Calendar: Member Hudgins indicated a that we had too many half days, and that not a lot of learning occurs on those days. He did recognize that we removed one this year. Member Tsung asked if all six periods met on a half-day, and Mr. Thomas indicated that they did. Member Flowers asked if the teachers union needed to approve the calendar, and Mr. Murphy said the union only needed to be consulted. Member Hudgins said that we don't have to take the Monday after Easter off just because everyone else does. He said we should look at taking fewer days off and tightening the schedule to be done sooner.

Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Flowers, to approve the 2019-20 Official School Calendar as presented.  Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2019-20 Consolidated District Plan: Member Flowers requested that next time the plan should be presented in a much larger font.

Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Galan, to approve the 2019-20 Consolidated District Plan as presented.  Roll call: Galan, Hudgins, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes.  Member Flowers voted no. Motion carried.

2019-20 School Fees: Mr. Murphy indicated that the company that processes electronic payments for the district charges 3.99% for fee payment, which is about $2 on the $50 fee. He indicated that we may raise the fee in the future and eliminate the surcharge. 

Motion by Tsung, seconded by Flowers, to approve the following school fees for the 2019-20 school year: 

Student Registration: $50.00
Driver Education Fee: $45.00
Student Lunch, Regular: $3.00
Student Lunch, Reduced: $0.40
Student Breakfast, Regular: $1.50
Student Breakfast, Reduced: $0.30
Student/Adult Milk: $0.30
Adult Lunch: $3.50
Adult Breakfast: $1.75

Roll call:  Hudgin, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers and Galan voted yes.  Nay, none. Motion carried.

Executive Session: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Flowers, to go into executive session to discuss information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).  Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan and Hudgins voted yes.  Nay, none.  Motion carried. The executive session convened at 8:04 p.m.  The executive session adjourned at 9:01 p.m.  President Woodard stated no action was taken while in executive session.

Resignations/Retirements: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Hudgins, to accept the following resignations/ retirements as presented:

a. Resignation of Stephanie Finke (Curriculum Director) effective 20, 2019. 

Roll call: VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan, Hudgins and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of 2019-20 Personnel: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Tsung, to employ the following 2019-20 personnel as presented:

a. School Counselor: Brenda Krutsinger as a full-time school counselor for the 2019-20 school year. Ms. Krutsinger’s education and experience will place her at Line 3, Column MA/MS on the on the Teacher Salary Schedule.

b. Extra-Duty/Extended-Time Personnel

Extra-Duty Personnel:
Counseling Department Chair: Lori Koester $4,533.00  
Special Education Department Chair 2019-20 Pilot: Jessica Pyatt $4,533.00
Freshman Class Advisor: Melisa Lopez $357.00
Sophomore Class Advisor: Katie Bachman $357.00
Junior Class Advisor: Sarah Dubach $3,400.00
Junior Class Assistant Advisor: Jeleania Fields $3,400.00
Key Club Advisor: Katie Bachman $3,400.00
WYSE/Math Team Advisor: Mike Dollins $591.75; Jason Perry $1,775.25
International Club Sponsor: Jenna Jamieson $357.00

Extended-Time Personnel:     
Registration - .50 Month: Brenda Krutsinger
Library - .50 Month: Dawn Taylor    
CNA Class Overload: Melanie Nelson 
Driver’s Education Class Overload: Kim Wheeler  
Early Bird Theatre Class Overload: Erik Berrey

Roll call: Woodard, Flowers, Galan, Hudins, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2019-20 Volunteers: None

Amendment to the 2018-19-2020-21 Performance-Based Employment Contract for the CSBO: Motion by Tsung, seconded by VanWinkle, to approve and authorize the President and Secretary to sign the Amendment presented by the Superintendent to the July 1, 2018-June 30, 2021 Performance-Based Contract of Employment with the Chief School Business Official, Ms. Donna G. Fager, which waives the ten-year service eligibility requirement for retirement benefits. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Member Hudgins voted no.  Motion carried.

Amend Dean of Students 2019-20 Contract: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Galan, to amend the 2019-20 Contract of the Dean of Students as presented. Roll call: Galan, Hudgins, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

July Board Meeting: The July Board of Education meeting will be Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED: July 16, 2019
*MINUTES AMENDED: APRIL 16, 2020