November 2020 School Board Meeting Minutes

Link to Video of Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/cboCorTJSJ1jsY95087DBpKeA4-zA8hViaJ5O8S5TO_7zlhROtVt6wNXHHccFCb2.g6VJ43CV5Ya3cm6X

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD NOVEMBER 12, 2020

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, November 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers                         Francis Tsung
Lana Galan (Remotely)          Julie VanWinkle
Joe Hudgins                            Brian Woodard
Christopher Swims                            

Also present were: 

Stephen Murphy                     Timothy Buss
Donna Fager                           James Helton
Ryan Thomas

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to approve the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting and executive session of October 15, 2020 and the special meeting and executive session of October 26, 2020. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes.  Nay, none.  Motion carried.

Old Business—None

Public Comments: Mr. Murphy read in full the public comment received from Luke Herron-Titus (Attachment #1):

Dear CCHS School Board Members:

As the school continues with it’s on campus schooling I was glad to hear about the mitigation efforts implemented to allow for students to attend classes on campus. I do feel that these efforts will present new challenges in disciplinary measures relating to the ongoing racial imbalance in the way disciplinary measures are put in action. As you know, black students make up 29% of the CCHS student body, but they disproportionately receive disciplinary actions.

From August to early December of the 2019-2020 school year, out of the 1,745 detentions given to CCHS students, 1,071 of them were to Black students – about 61% of all detentions given. During the timeframe, 431 in-school suspensions were given, 288 of them to Black students – about 67%. And 21 out-of-school suspensions were given, 288 of them to Black students – about 67%. And 21 out-of-school suspension were given, 16 of them were to Black students – about 76%.

During the 2018-2019 school year, of the 3,471 detentions given to CCHS students, 2,122 of them to Black students – about 61%. During the timeframe, 749 in-school suspensions were given, 450 to them to Black students – about 60%. And 49 out-of-school suspensions were given, 30 them were to Black students – about 61%.

Now that there is a new set of rules to be enforced at CCHS, how will the school see to it that this pattern of racial imbalance does not translate to enforcement of new rules? How is the school progressing in reducing the racial imbalance in enforcement of the preexisting rules?

Thank You and Best Regards,

Luke Herron-Titus, 613 W Owens Street, Carbondale, IL 62901

Mr. Murphy said he tried to follow-up with Mr. Herron-Titus via email prior to the Board meeting, but he had not received a response from him yet.

FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2020-21 FOIA Requests received to date.

IASB Resolution 2 Consideration Request from Kathleen Carl: The Board received correspondence from Kathleen Carl regarding her request for the Board to support IASB Resolution 2. Mr. Murphy said the IASB is not recommending the adoption of the resolution because gun storage is not directly related to school functions. Dr. Flowers will be attending the virtual IASB Resolutions Committee Conference on November 20, 2020.

Payment of Bills: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Swims, to pay the remaining bills for the month of October 2020; and, those available for payment for the month of November 2020. Roll call: Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

IASB Professional Executive Search For a Superintendent Presentation: Illinois Association of School Board Executive Searches Consultants, Timothy Buss and James Helton, reviewed the IASB Professional Executive Search for a Superintendent services for the Board.

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Murphy said due to the rising COVID-19 numbers in Jackson County, the Jackson County Health Department recommended all Jackson County schools go to remote learning November 16-27, 2020. He said CCHS would follow the recommendation of the health department and go to remote learning November 16-27, 2020.  He said the IHSA was going have a meeting on November 19, 2020, to discuss the winter sports schedule.

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported on the following:
∙Number of Remote Students: 515
∙Number of A/B Students: 439
∙Average In-Person Attendance October 9-November 3, 2020: 142 Students
∙Average In-Person Attendance November 5-10, 2020: 182 Students
∙Overall Average Attendance 2nd Quarter: 82%
∙Mid-terms are November 12, 2020
∙End of 1st Semester is December 18, 2020
∙Credit Recovery begins January 11, 2021

2020-21 District Fall Enrollment Recap and Class-Size Report: Mr. Murphy reviewed the 2020-21 District Fall Enrollment Recap and Class-Size Report for the Board.

Bids and Quotes—None

2020 Tax Levy Resolution: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to approve the Resolution Regarding The Estimated Amounts Necessary To Be Levied For The Year 2020. Roll call:  Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried. Final adoption of the 2020 Tax Levy will occur at the December 17, 2020 Board of Education meeting.

Closing of School Offices During Winter Break 2020: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Swims, to approve the closure of all district offices during Winter Break 2020 as presented. Roll call: Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan and Hudgins voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Resignations/Retirements—None

Employment of 2020-21 Personnel: There was discussion by the Board regarding the hiring of additional hall monitor personnel while the students were on remote learning. Mr. Thomas said they were being used to substitute for the teachers who were absent, monitoring the building entrances, doing temperature checks and assisting wherever needed. Mr. Murphy said they would also be used when the Credit Recovery Program began in January.

Motion by Tsung, seconded by Swims, to employ the following 2020-21 personnel as presented:

a. Hall Monitor Personnel: Dominic Johnson at the rate of $13.00 per hour.

b. Extra-Duty Personnel:
Scholar Bowl Advisor: Sharon Lorinskas $3,890.66 and Justin Merriman $1,945.34    
Assistant Volleyball Coach:  Jared Ragan $5,255.00

Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Members Hudgins and Swims voted no. Motion carried.

2020-21Volunteers—None

Thanksgiving Break: Thanksgiving Break will be November 23-27, 2020

December Board Meeting: The December Board of Education meeting will be Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

2020 IASB Resolutions Committee: The Board received the 2020 IASB Resolutions Committee Report in their meeting packet.

Executive Session: Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, 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 immediately following the executive session.  Roll call: VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Mr. Murphy announced there would be no action following the executive session and that the public portion of the meeting would adjourn immediately following it.

The public portion of the meeting recessed at 7:40 p.m. The executive session convened at 7:50 p.m. The executive session adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED: December 17, 2020

Attachment 1

Dear CCHS School Board Members:

As the school continues with it’s on campus schooling I was glad to hear about the mitigation efforts implemented to allow for students to attend classes on campus. I do feel that these efforts will present new challenges in disciplinary measures relating to the ongoing racial imbalance in the way disciplinary measures are put in action. As you know, black students make up 29% of the CCHS student body, but they disproportionately receive disciplinary actions.

From August to early December of the 2019-2020 school year, out of the 1,745 detentions given to CCHS students, 1,071 of them were to Black students – about 61% of all detentions given. During the timeframe, 431 in-school suspensions were given, 288 of them to Black students – about 67%. And 21 out-of-school suspensions were given, 288 of them to Black students – about 67%. And 21 out-of-school suspension were given, 16 of them were to Black students – about 76%

During the 2018-2019 school year, of the 3,471 detentions given to CCHS students, 2,122 of them to Black students – about 61%. During the timeframe, 749 in-school suspensions were given, 450 to them to Black students – about 60%. And 49 out-of-school suspensions were given, 30 them were to Black students – about 61%.

Now that there is a new set of rules to be enforced at CCHS, how will the school see to it that this pattern of racial imbalance does not translate to enforcement of new rules? How is the school progressing in reducing the racial imbalance in enforcement of the preexisting rules?

Thank You and Best Regards,

Luke Herron-Titus
613 W Owens Street
Carbondale, IL 62901

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Link to Audio of Meeting:

https://cchs165-my.sharepoint.com/:u:/p/steve_murphy/Eepjrckf3KRMr7oJTQ0j99UB4DSIX_Repi6nY6T5RLtwNw?e=rphf1X

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD NOVEMBER 16, 2020

The special meeting of the Board of Education of School District 165 was held in the Carbondale Community High School District 165 Administrative Center, 330 South Giant City Road, Carbondale, Illinois, on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 6:02 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers (Remotely)                 Francis Tsung (Remotely)
Joe Hudgins (Remotely)                     Julie VanWinkle (Remotely)
Christopher Swims (Remotely)          Brian Woodard (Remotely)

Also present:  Stephen Murphy         

President Woodard declared a quorum present and the special meeting of November 16, 2020, was called to order.

Public Comments:

Link to Public Comments Attachment:  http://www.cchs165.jacksn.k12.il.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_77943/File/Announcement%20Docs/20-21/November%2016,%202020%20Public%20Comments.pdf

Mr. Murphy read in full the emailed public comment received from Chastity Mays

From: Chastity Mays <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2020 9:30 PM
To: Steve Murphy <[email protected]>
Subject: CCHS Board

11/14/20 

Board of Education Member
Carbondale Community High School
District 165
1301 East Walnut Street
Carbondale, IL  62901 

Board of Education Member
Carbondale Elementary District 165
Carbondale, IL  62901 

Subject:  Consideration of combining Carbondale District 165 and Carbondale Elementary District 95 

I am writing to discuss the consolidation of Carbondale District 165 and Carbondale Elementary District 95.  With the recent resignation of current Carbondale High School Superintendent and a search being conducted soon I wanted this to be a possible discussion for the future of both districts.  This should be a serious consideration before completing a search for a new superintendent at CCHS District 165. The consolidation could be a positive move for so many reasons and some of those are listed below:

∙Taxpayers would save on administrative costs 

∙The children of the district would benefit academically by having one district who is in line with preparing them for high school 

∙ A consolidated district may be eligible for the following incentive payments: Evidence-Based Funding Difference, Teacher Salary Difference, Deficit Fund Balance, $4,000 per Full-Time Certified Staff               

∙ School districts reorganize primarily to improve their ability to develop and implement quality programs for students, offset student enrollment declines, and provide a more cost-efficient and stable school district. 

I am attaching some information from the Illinois State of Education concerning combining school districts. 

I would like to implore you to please consider and discuss this consolidation process for the benefit of the children of both districts. 

Thank You for your time and consideration. 

Chastity Mays 

Parent of a current Junior at CCHS and two graduates of CCHS 

Chastity Mays, M.S., Assistant Director
A Gift of Love Charity, Inc.
618 525 2676
[email protected]

One additional public comment was received from Luke Herron-Titus regarding the same subject matter.

IASB Professional Executive Search for a Superintendent Services Agreement: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to approve the Illinois Association of School Boards Professional Executive Search for a Superintendent Services Agreement the amount of $6,900.00 as presented. Roll call: Flowers, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

October Board Meeting: The next Board of Education meeting will be Thursday, December 17, 2020.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m.  

MINUTES APPROVED: December 17, 2020