July 2023 School Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD JULY 20, 2023

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, July 20, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.  

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Rania Dababneh                                 Christopher Swims (Virtual) 
Lana Galan                                         Francis Tsung 
Wendell Pohlman                               Julie VanWinkle

The following member was absent:  Linda Flowers

Also present were:                 

Daniel Booth                                      Paul Lunsford Archit. Reps. 
Ray C. Toliver, Jr.                              GRP Performance Contract. Reps. 
Ryan Thomas                                      Stifel Public Finance Rep.

President WanWinkle declared a quorum present and the regular scheduled meeting of July 20, 2023, was called to order.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Dababneh, seconded by Galan, to approve the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting and executive session of June 15, 2023.  Roll call: Dababneh, Galan, Pohlman, Swims, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Old Business—None

Public Comments—None

FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 FOIA requests received to date.

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

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

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reviewed the following new additions/revisions to the 2023-24 Student-Parent-Teacher Handbook:

Alternative Suspension Program (ASP)
Administration may assign students to the Alternative Suspension Program as a disciplinary consequence for violations. ASP will be located at CCHS's Rebound campus under the supervision of CCHS staff and Rebound staff. Transportation will be provided if needed, and students will be allowed to complete assignments from class during ASP. Additional supports will be provided by CCHS staff including individual counseling and mediations to assist with successful reintegration back to the CCHS campus. Unless approved by administration, a student assigned to ASP must fully complete the time assigned for their consequence before being allowed to return to CCHS. Failure to comply with rules and conditions of ASP may result in Out-of-School Suspension. 

After School Detention (ASD)
Failure to serve a lunch detention will result in an after-school detention (ASD). After school detentions are from 3:15 – 4:45 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Transportation is provided at 4:45. Administrators will meet with students and contact families informing them of the assigned after school detention date. Administrators will also inform students and families that a failure to serve an after-school detention will result in one day of in-school suspension. 

Visitors
Visitors are required to enter through the entrance at Walnut Street. Upon entrance to the building, visitors must present a valid state issued license or ID to be entered into the CCHS visitor management system (Raptor). Visitors will then be issued a visitor identification sticker to be worn in a visible manner while on campus. Visitors will communicate with CCHS staff at the Walnut St. Office their intentions for being on campus and will be directed accordingly. 

Metal Detectors
For the safety and supervision of the campus, metal detectors are located at all main entries into CCHS.

All students are required to pass through metal detectors upon their arrival to school.  If a student leaves campus or exits the building during the school day and returns, they are required to re-enter through the entrances at Walnut St. or Giant City Rd. and pass through a metal detector. A refusal to pass through a metal detector could result in disciplinary action.   

Dense metal objects will be detected. Students and visitors are encouraged to remove items such as umbrellas, laptop computers, metal water bottles, and eyeglass cases prior to passing through the metal detector to ensure an efficient flow into the building.  

Students and/or visitors will be subjected to a search by administration if there is reasonable ground to conduct a search of one’s belongings. The administration may request assistance from law enforcement officials to conduct searches.  

Metal detectors are mobile and can be operated at other locations on campus. Metal detectors may be utilized during extracurricular activities and sporting events.  

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

Construction Updates
The Walnut Street entry construction project is making steady progress.

Summer work includes the following items
1. The C-Wing staircase project will be completed in early August. 
2. The exterior structural steel paint project (HLS project) began on June 5. The gym area is completed, and the Giant City awning is being completed at this time. 
3. The kitchen floor epoxy project (HLS project) will be completed at the of July. 
4. The H-Hallway sound clouds project will begin in mid-July. 
5. The CTE addition is pending Board approval

Solar Panel Discussion
At the June Board meeting there were presentations done by GRP Performance Contracting on the addition of solar panels, and by Stifel Public Finance on how the District could finance the project using a combination of debt certificates and state and federal rebates. 

 Representatives from GRP Performance Contracting and Stifel Public Finance were present again at this meeting, along with Lunsford Architects representatives who were in attendance in the audience, to continue the discussion on solar panels. 

Following the discussion, it was decided that:

●Place solar panels on the roof only. 
●The retention pond area will not be used. 
●Look at adding solar panels to the CTE 10,000-foot addition to see what that looks like. 
●At the August Board meeting present a contract for review and further discussion. 
●At the September Board meeting present a contract and determine either to say yes, no, or to table the project. 

Member Left Meeting: Member Swims left the meeting at 7:50 p.m. 

Meeting Recessed: The meeting recessed at 7:51 p.m. 

Meeting Reconvened: The meeting reconvened at 7:56 p.m. 

2023-24 Revisions to Student- Parent-Teacher Handbook and Student-Athletic Handbook: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Galan, to approve the 2023-24 revisions to the Student-Parent-Teacher Handbook and the Student-Athlete Handbook as presented. Roll call: Pohlman, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Awarding of Walnut Street Entry Canopy Addition Bid: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Galan, to acknowledge receipt of the bids received for the Walnut Street entry addition canopy; and, to award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder, Fager-McGee Commercial Construction, in the amount of $364,000.00, as presented by District Architect Paul Lunsford, with authorization for him to value engineer the project to search for potential savings as presented.  Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2023-24 Vendors: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Tsung, to approve the 2023-24 vendors that generate revenue more than $1,000.00 as presented:  Pepsi MidAmerica. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Galan, Pohlman and Tsung voted yes.  Nay, none.  Motion carried.

2023-24 Field Trips: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Galan, to approve the 2023-24 field trips that are out of state/or over $500.00 as presented.  Roll call: Dababneh, Galan, Pohlman, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Semi-Annual Review of Unopened Executive Session Minutes: Motion by Galan, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the semi-annual review of the unopened executive session minutes as presented. Roll call: Galan, Pohlman, Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2023-24 Centerstone Memorandum of Understanding: Motion by Galan, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the 2023-24 Centerstone Memorandum of Understanding as presented. Roll call: Pohlman, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

IASB PRESS Issue 112 Board Policy Manual Updates—First Reading: The Board received IASB PRESS Issue 112 Board Policy Manual updates for first reading.  Final adoption of IASB PRESS Issue 112 occurred at the August 17, 2023, Board of Education meeting.

Girls Gymnastics Team Proposal: Motion by Galan, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the Girls Gymnastic Team proposal as presented.  Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

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

a. Resignation of Scott Hankey (Head Baseball Coach) effective at the end of the 2023 season.

b. Resignation of Krista Antrim (School Counselor) effective June 23, 2023.

c. Resignation of Lewis Stafford (Maintenance Technician) effective June 29, 2023.

d. Resignation of Naomi Grisham (Girls Golf Coach) effective June 26, 2023.

e. Resignation of Melissa McCutchen (Social Worker) effective June 27, 2023.

f. Resignation of Delema Cowan (Rebound employee) effective June 27, 2023.

g. Resignation of Ashley Boan (Head Girls Track Coach) effective July 11, 2023.

h. Retirement of Mark Hutchings (Rebound employee) effective August 1, 2023.

i. Resignation of Marcus Anderson (Assistant Football Coach) effective July 17, 2023.

j. Resignation of Eric Yearian (Teacher Aide) effective July 14, 2023.

Roll call:  VanWinkle, Dababneh, Galan, Pohlman and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of 2023-24 Extra- Duty/Extended-Time Personnel: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Galan, to employ the following 2023-24 extra-duty/extended-time personnel as presented:

Freshman Class Sponsor: Haley Karayiannis $368.00 
Senior Class Sponsor: Brandi Jones $184.00; Crystal Harsy $184.00 
Scholar Bowl Sponsor: Sharon Lorinskas $3,890.66; Clyde Hurley $1,945.33
Assistant Band Director I: Ashley Followell $1,167.20; Jeremy Followell $1,116.20; Deirdre Stokes $1,167.20; Lori Trexler $1,167.20; Mark McCutchen $1,167.20
Assistant Band Director II: Katrina Wood $3,502.00
Drill Team Sponsor: Maddy Chaney $1,085.00
Head Girls Track Coach: Mykel Gary $6,422.00
Head Baseball Coach: Derrick Raney $6,422.00
Head Girls Golf Coach: Marialice Jenkins $4,669.00
Fall Weight Room Supervisor: Tommy Holder $2,335.00
Dance Team Sponsor: Gillian Prepejchal $1,085.00
Assistant Boys Track Coach: DeAndre Smith $4,669.00
Assistant Football Coach: Ben Campos $5,000.00
Assistant Girls Soccer Coach I: $4,669.00
Assistant Girls Tennis Coach: Ashely Boan $2,335.00
Assistant Volleyball Coach: Jared Ragan $5,255.00
Assistant Boys Soccer Coach II: Trebor Mann $2,335.00
Assistant Football Coach: Tremel Truitt $2,505.00
Roll call: Dababneh, Galan, Pohlman, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of Teacher Aide/Monitor Personnel: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Dababneh, to employ the following teacher aide/monitor personnel at the rate of $14.61 per hour for the 2023-24 school year:

Jessica Sergeev: Teacher Aide
Laffyette McDade*: Teacher Aide *Pending receipt of Illinois Paraprofessional Educator License.

Roll call: Galan, Pohlman, Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of Maintenance Technician: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Galan, to employ Mike Heern as a Maintenance Technician at the rate of $18.00 per hour for the 2023-24 school year.  Roll call: Pohlman, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of Rebound/CCHS Student Liaison Grant Employee: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Galan, to employ Jeffrey Miller as a 2023-24 Rebound/CCHS Student Liaison grant employee contingent upon adequate grant funding and timely receipt of those funds. The rate of pay will be $20.00/hour @ 35/hours week for 215 days. They hours may be reduced during the summer session.  Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2023-24 Volunteers: Motion by Galan, seconded by Tsung, to approve the following 2023-24 volunteers as presented:

Cory Newman: Boys/Girls Tennis Coach Volunteer Hailee Hinthorne: Assistant Boys/Girls Soccer Coach Volunteer
Justice Hagler: Assistant Boys Soccer Coach Volunteer
Mollie Kelley: Assistant Cheerleading Coach Volunteer

Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Galan, Pohlman and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Support Staff Retention Adjustment: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Galan, to approve the Support Staff Retention Adjustment recommendation effective August 1, 2023, as presented. Roll call: Dababneh, Galan, Pohlman, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.  

For Your Information Items:

Annual Back to School Kick-Off Luncheon: Annual Back to School Kick-Off Luncheon: 12:00 p.m., Thursday, August 10, 2023, in the cafeteria. 

CCHS Meet & Greet: CCHS Meet & Greet: 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

August Board Meeting: August Board meeting: 6:00 p.m., Thursday, August 17, 2023.

Foundation Black and White Ball: Foundation Black & White Ball: 5:30 p.m., Saturday, August 26, 2023, at the SIU Student Center Ballrooms.

Executive Session: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Galan, 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: Galan, Pohlman, Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Meeting Recessed: The public portion of the meeting recessed at 8:45 p.m.

Member Returns to Meeting: Member Swims returned to the meeting at 8:50 p.m.

Executive Session Convened: The executive session convened at 8:53 p.m.

Executive Session Adjourned: The executive session adjourned at 10:27 p.m.

Meeting Reconvened: The public portion of the meeting reconvened at 10:28 p.m. President VanWinkle stated no action was taken while in executive session.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 10:29 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED: August 17, 2023