March 2023 School Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD MARCH 21, 2023

The special meeting of the Board of Education of Carbondale Community High School District 165 was held in the Administrative Center, 330 South Giant City Road, Carbondale, Illinois, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers                        Christopher Swims 
Lana Galan (Remote)             Francis Tsung 
Wendell Pohlman                   Julie VanWinkle

Also present: 

Daniel Booth                          Joyce Williams 
Chastity Mays                         Ron Darnell 
Cory Newman                         Rania Dababneh (Remote) 
Susan Walch-Pimentel

President VanWinkle declared a quorum present and the special meeting of March 21, 2023, was called to order.

Public Comments—None

Executive Session: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Swims, to go into executive session to discuss information regarding the appointment of a member to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education (5 ILCS 20/2(c)(3)); and, to adjourn the meeting immediately following the executive session. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Swims, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes.  Nay, none. Motion carried.

The executive session convened at 6:02 p.m. The executive session adjourned at 8:24 p.m. No action was taken while in executive session.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Minutes Approved: March 23, 2023

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MINUTES OF THE RESCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD MARCH 23, 2023

The rescheduled 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, March 23, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers (Virtual)         Christopher Swims 
Wendell Pohlman                 Julie VanWinkle

Also present were: 

Daniel Booth                       Ethan Graham 
Ray Toliver, Jr.                     Rania Dababneh 
Ryan Thomas                                                                                                                         

President VanWinkle declared a quorum present and the rescheduled regular meeting of March 23, 2023, was called to order. 

Due to Secretary Linda Flowers’ virtual attendance at the meeting, Member Wendell Pohlman served as Secretary Pro Tem with signatory authorization as needed.

Appointment of New Board of Education Member: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to appoint Rania Dababneh as the new member of the CCHS District 165 Board of Education to complete the unexpired four-year term of Steven R. Sabens.  Roll call: Flowers, Pohlman, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Seating of New Board of Education Member: President VanWinkle administered the Oath of Office to new Board of Education member, Rania Dababneh, and she took her seat on the Board.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the minutes of the rescheduled regular meeting and executive session of February 23, 2023, and the special meeting and executive session of March 21, 2023.  Roll call: Pohlman, Swims and Flowers voted yes. Member Debabneh abstained. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Old Business—None

Public Comments—None

FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2022-23 FOIA requests received to date.

Payment of Bills: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to pay the remaining bills for the month of February 2023; and, those available for payment for the month of March 2023. Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Pohlman voted yes.  Nay, none. motion carried.

ESSER II and ESSER III Grant Expenditures: The Board received an update on the ESSER II Grant and ESSER III Grant expenditures.

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported on

∙Metal Detector Implementation 
    ∙Bus Entrance 
    ∙Giant City Entrance

∙Class Meetings 
    ∙School-wide goals 
    ∙Incentives 
    ∙Topics that need to be discussed: metal detectors, cafeteria, Walnut Street 
    ∙Using Terrier Time

∙The Scholar Bowl Team won IHSA Sectionals (15th straight year) and the Masonic Sectional Championship. They are 17th straight Southern IL Academic Conference Champions

∙The WYSE (World Youth in Science and Engineering) Team won IHSA Sectionals and are headed to State.

∙26 Students were State Science Fair Qualifiers

∙Civil Rights Museum Field Trip

∙Spring Musical: James and the Giant Peach, April 20-22, 2023

∙Feeder schools will attend on April 20th

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Booth reviewed the Superintendent’s Report for the Board.

Construction Updates 
The wrestling room and weight room/storage projects are substantially completed. The maintenance staff are preparing the space to move items in for use.

The interior work has begun on the maintenance shed project and should be completed in a few weeks.

The roof replacement project began in January. The roofing is completed, and the metal/finishing work is expected to begin in a few weeks.

The design for the CTE addition is completed and project bids will be brought to the Board in May.

Planning has begun for major summer projects that include completion of Health Life Safety projects.

Those include the epoxy of kitchen floors, H and J hallway acoustical panels, C-wing stair replacement, and repainting of structural steel.

CCHS Education Foundation 
The CCHS Education Foundation Board of Directors approved a $10,000 donation towards media center furniture. The donation will go towards soft   seating in the space that costs an additional $40,000. The District will cover the remaining funds to complete this portion of the project.

Metal Detectors 
The implementation of the metal detectors has gone well, and they are in use at all entrances.

Strategic Planning Progress 
March: Goal Three Action Plan Update 
April: Goal Four Action Plan Update 
May: Goal Five Action Plan Update 
June: Year End Strategic Plan Update

Strategic Plan: Goal Three Action Plan Update: Ryan Thomas reviewed the Strategic Plan: Goal Three Action Plan Update PowerPoint presentation for the Board.

Goal 3: Recruit, Develop, and Retain a High-Quality Workforce to Ensure and Strengthen Workplace Competencies, Collaboration, and Satisfaction

      ∙Strategy 5: Strengthen workplace diversity, competences, collaboration, and satisfaction to continue to retain high-quality staff.

      ∙Strategy 6: Enrich certified staff professional learning that leads to innovation and project-based, real-world learning that is responsive to student voice and choice.

Champion: Ryan Thomas 
Co-Champion: Sandy Snowden 
Action Team Members: Brandi Jones, Rasheeda Love, Melisa Lopez, Carrie Mueller, Don Moberley, Cara Polczynski and Denise Dyer

Goal 3 Action Plan:

   ∙Investigate events that increase employee satisfaction throughout the school community. 
      ∙Employee of the Month Spotlight 
      ∙Appreciation Days & Weeks 
      ∙Monthly Theme Treat 
      ∙Surveys 
         ∙Appreciation 
         ∙Exit

  ∙Investigate strategies that increase and diversify our applicant pool for all job openings. 
      ∙CCHS Employment Fair 
      ∙Research Other School Districts’ Strategies 
      ∙Social Media Job Openings 
      ∙Update Application Process

  ∙Investigate a plan to provide all employees with enriched professional learning opportunities.
     
∙Faculty & Staff Trainings 
      ∙Survey on Wants and Needs 
      ∙Monitor Data from Performance Evaluations 
      ∙PD Calendar 
      ∙Central Location for PD Opportunities 
      ∙Internal and External

Goal 3 Key Performance Indicators (KPIS)
      ∙Staff Demographics: The gap between staff demographics and student demographics. 
    ∙Staff Retention: Percentage of teachers and administrators who return to the district each year; excluding retirements. 
      ∙Staff Performance Evaluations: Percentage of staff receiving a “Proficient” or “Excellent” performance rating.

Faculty Demographics
White: 94% 
Black: 4% 
Hispanic: 1% 
Multi-Racial: 1%

Student Demographics
White: 48% 
Black: 29% 
Hispanic: 9% 
Multi-Racial: 10% 
Asian: 4%

Administration Demographics
White: 60% 
Black: 30% 
Hispanic: 10%

Student Demographics
White: 48% 
Black: 29%  
Hispanic: 9% 
Multi-Racial: 10% 
Asian: 4%

Non-Certified Staff Demographics
White: 72% 
Black: 24% 
Hispanic: 2% 
Asian: 2%

Student Demographics
White: 48% 
Black: 29% 
Hispanic: 9% 
Multi-Racial: 10% 
Asian: 4%

All Employee Demographics
White: 83% 
Black: 13% 
Hispanic: 2% 
Multi-Racial: 1% 
Asian: 1%

Student Demographics
White: 48% 
Black: 29% 
Hispanic: 9% 
Multi-Racial: 10% 
Asian: 4%

Staff Retention

2017-18 School Year 
∙CCHS: 90.9% 
State: 85.2% 
∙Target: 87% 

2018-19 School Year 
∙CCHS: 91.1% 
∙State: 85.7% 
∙Target: 87%

2019-20 School Year 
∙CCHS: 93% 
∙State: 85.9% 
∙Target: 87%

2020-21 School Year 
∙CCHS: 91% 
∙State: 87.1% 
∙Target: 87%

2021-22 School Year 
∙CCHS: 91% 
∙State: 87.6% 
∙Target: 87%

Staff Performance Evaluations:

2017-18 School Year 
∙CCHS: 97.3% 
∙State: 97.1% 
∙Target: 100%

2018-19 School Year 
∙CCHS: 94.4% 
∙State: 97.2% 
∙Target: 100%

2019-20 School Year 
∙CCHS: 96.7% 
∙State: 98.7% 
∙Target: 100%

2020-21 School Year 
∙CCHS: 100% 
∙State: 98.8% 
∙Target: 100%

2021-22 School Year 
∙CCHS: 100% 
∙State: 97.2% 
∙Target: 100%

Request to Bid Yearbook Publication: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to solicit bids for the yearbook publication as presented.  Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Awarding of District Janitorial Services Two-Year Contract Bid: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to acknowledge the receipt of the bids received for a district janitorial services two-year contract; and, to award   the bid to the lowest responsible bidder, ABBCO, pending contract negotiations that will be approved by the Superintendent and School Board Attorney, as presented. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2023-24 Official School Calendar: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to approve the 2023-24 Official School Calendar as presented. Roll call: Flowers, Pohlman, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2023-24 IHSA Membership Renewal: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to continue membership in the Illinois High School Association for the 2023-24 school year. Roll call: Pohlman, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Resignation Agreement and General Release: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the Lee Nailon Resignation Agreement and General Release effective March 3, 2023.  Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Resignations/Retirements: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to accept the resignations/retirements of the following personnel as presented: 

a.  Resignation of John Lee (Maintenance Technician) effective March 10, 2023.

b.  Resignation of Mark Albertini (Assistant Principal) effective June 30, 2023.

c.  Retirement of Jason Perry (Mathematics Teacher) effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

d.  Retirement of Gwen Poore (Athletic Director) effective June 30, 2026.

Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of 2022-23 Extra-Duty Personnel: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to employ the following 2022-23 extra-duty personnel as presented:

Assistant Boys Tennis Coach: Tom Brooke $2,335.00

Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes.           

Employment of 2022-23 Rebound Grant Personnel: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to retroactively employ the following 2022-23 Rebound grant personnel as presented:

Cody Tracy 
--Contingent upon adequate grant funding and timely receipt of those funds. The hours will be reduced during the summer or until adequate student enrollment is achieved. 
--35 Hours/Week @ $20.00/Hour 
--Employment Period: March 9, 2023-July 31, 2023

Roll call: Flowers, Pohlman, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2022-23 Volunteers: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to approve the following 2022-23 volunteers as presented:

Teekae Kelly: Theatre Volunteer 
Jeffrey Moon: Bass Fishing Coach Volunteer 
Christopher Shelton: Bass Fishing Coach Volunteer

Roll call: Pohlman, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2022-23 Personnel to be Notified of Honorable Dismissal: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to honorably dismiss at the end of the 2022-23 school year, or current grant period, or current contract, the following personnel as presented, due to a discontinuance of services:  

Part-time Faculty: Levi Biedermann and Zachary Clark

Restorative Practices and Student Support Specialist Grant Personnel: Jim Bradley

Rebound Grant Personnel: Chloe Baez, Lisa Britt, Stephanie Brown, Denise Diliberto, Matthew Duckworth, Mark Hutchings, Penny Smith, Sandra Snowden and Katherine Valliant

Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2023-24 Administrative and Professional Support Personnel Employment Contracts: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the following 2023-24 annual administrative and professional support personnel employment contracts as presented:

Terica Doyle, Assistant Principal 
Ethan Graham, Associate Principal/Curriculum Director 
Michael Green, Maintenance Director 
Mandy McKee, Special Education Director 
Gwen Poore, Athletic Director 
Alejandro Ruiz, Assistant Principal 
Ryan Thomas, Principal 
Ray Toliver Jr., Chief School Business Official

Roll call: Pohlman, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2023-24 Re-Employment of Tenured and Non-Tenured Faculty and Educational Support, Cafeteria, Maintenance, Aide and Monitor Personnel: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to re-employ the following Tenured and Non-Tenured Faculty and Educational Support, Cafeteria, Maintenance, Aide and Monitor personnel for the 2023-24 school year as presented:

Tenured Faculty: Daron Absher, Jessica Anderson, Krista Antrim, Christopher Apple, Stephen Arvanis, Pamela Barr, Alexandria Bassett, Dawn Bassett, Ashley Boan, Brenda Berg, Erik Berrey, Michelle Buchheit, Charles Buss, Michael Butler, Justin Dennis, Lena Dierks, Michael Dollins,  Betsy Geiselman, Linaya Germann, Katie Zamora-Godinez, Theresa Goodin, Andrew Gwinup, Scott Hankey, Jeff Hansen, Eric Hanson, Crystal Harsy, Brandi Jones, Meredith Jones, Jennifer Kennedy, Krystal Kill, Brenda Krutsinger, Bryan Lee, Melisa Lopez, Rasheeda Love, Judy Major, Stacey Massie, Christi McGee, Justin Merriman, Donald Moberley, Carrie Mueller, Matthew Peck, Melanie Nelson, Jason Perry, Cara Polczynski, Kyle Povolish, Amy Prudencio, Jessica Pyatt, Jane Rendon, Erin Sagaskie, Tracie Shackles, Sandy Stanley, Greg Storm, Arnold Taylor, Dawn Taylor, Joshua Taylor, Dallas Terry, Greg Townsend, Kimberly Wheeler and Mark Woodside

Non-Tenured Faculty:

Faculty Completing 4th Year: Kasey Paris Green

Faculty Completing 3rd Year: Leigh Burton, Aimee Ellis, Caitlyn Klaybor, Lindsey Sears, Shannon Simmons and Heather Webb

Faculty Completing 2nd Year:  Garrick Haywood, Tracy Hill, Clyde Hurley, Leslie Neitzer and Lyndsey Walls

Faculty Completing 1st Year: Alyssa Garza, Haley Karayiannis, Dana Cox-Lipe, Melissa McCutchen, Susan Murphy, Melinda Pierson, Kamen Rosado, DeAndre Smith and Katrina Wood

Educational Support Personnel: Rebecca Cissell, Mindy Clark, Brittany DeVantier, LeAnne Gaydos, Michelle Gleim, Verlena Greer, Thor Hadfield, Crystal Hicks, Lucia Kelso, Kelly Lannom, Michelle Lewis, Clint Mifflin, Amy Morse, Laurie Rendleman, Jarrod Ritter, Katherine Vieceli, Rena Weller and Matthew Young

Cafeteria Personnel: Jaqueline Acosta, Christine Berger, Jerry Broski, Samantha Broski, Gregory Donahue, Aubrey Hines and Heather Hines

Maintenance Personnel: Eric Fowler, Keith Keipp and Lewis Stafford

Aide Personnel: Jacara Brisco, Paul Decker, Denise Dyer, Jianlan Feng, Jesse Krutsinger, Scott Lambert, Westerly Loyd, DeAnne Miller, Jeffrey Miller, Zachary O’Hagan, Heather Taylor, Matthew Wilson and Eric Yearin

Monitor Personnel: Mykel Gary, Dominic Johnson, Kobe Lewis-Moss, Sian Person, Andrew Smith and Kevin Stamp

Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of 2023-24 Science Teacher: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to employ Kaylin Wilson as a full-time Science Teacher for the 2023-24 school year pending receipt of her Illinois Professional Educator License.  Ms. Wilson’s education and experience will place her at Line 1, Column BA/BS on the Teacher Salary Schedule. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman and Swims voted yes. Nay, motion carried.

For Your Information Items

2023 Top Ten Academic Student Recognition Program: The 2023 Top Ten Academic Student Recognition Program will be April 5, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the gymnasium.

April Board Meeting: The April Board of Education meeting will be Thursday, April 23, 2023.

IASB 2023 Constitution and Position Statement: The Board received the IASB 2023 Constitution and Position Statements in their Board meeting packet.

Closing Comments—None

Executive Session: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, 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)); and, to adjourn the Board of Education meeting immediately following the executive session.  Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried. The meeting recessed at 7:15 p.m. before going into executive session. 

Member Leaves Meeting: Member Flowers left the meeting at 7:15 p.m.

The executive session convened at 7:32 p.m. and adjourned at 8:24 p.m. President VanWinkle said no action was taken while in executive session.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Minutes Approved: April 27, 2023