November 2018 School Board Minutes

Link to Video of November 8, 2018 Board of Education Meeting:            https://vimeo.com/300742636

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD NOVEMBER 8, 2018

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 8, 2018 at 7:13 p.m.  The meeting was delayed due to public dialog regarding school security that occurred prior to the meeting. 

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Kathy Booziotis                      Francis Tsung
Linda Flowers                         Julie VanWinkle
Joe Hudgins                            Brian Woodard

The following member was absent:   Christopher Swims

Also present were:

Stephen Murphy                     Stephanie Esters
Donna Fager                           CCHSEA Represented
Ryan Thomas                          WPSD-TV Represented
Dallas Terry

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Booziotis, to approve the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting of October 18, 2018.  Roll call: Booziotis, Flowers, Hudgins, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes.  Nay, none.  Motion carried. 

Old Business: None

Public Comments: Several members of the audience addressed the Board of Education regarding concerns about school security and a recent disciplinary matter involving several students.  They were concerned by the rumors that evolved from the incident; and, the timing and way the administration responded to the matter. They requested better communication to students and parents in the future so that rumors do not run rampant. They were also concerned by what they believed was the lack of love and respect students express toward one another.  They stressed the importance of embracing the positives of one another.  They said that when hate is expressed at school in the future it should be addressed immediately, and the students and parents should be advised of how the administration is dealing with it.  They said it should be made clear that hate and discrimination have no home at CCHS.  President Woodard thanked everyone for their comments.  Superintendent Murphy requested the audience members to give their name and contact number to CCHS Communications Director, Stephanie Esters, who was present at the meeting, so that they could be notified when a future dialog discussion is scheduled. 

2018 Yale Educator Award: CCHS Counselor, Toni Ruiz, was recognized by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a recipient of the 2018 Yale Educator Award. 

Recognition by Stanford University:  CCHS English Teacher, Dr. Justin Dennis, was recognized by Stanford University for exceptional teaching. 

CTE Department Presentation:  Career and Technical Education Department Chair, Dallas Terry, did a presentation for the Board regarding the activities of his department. 

Payment of Bills:  Motion by Hudgins, seconded by Tsung, to pay the remaining bills for the month of October 2018; and, those available for payment for the month of November 2018. Roll call:  Flowers, Hudgins, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard and Booziotis voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried. 

Superintendent’s Report:  Superintendent Murphy reported the track replacement construction had started and it was expected to be completed in February.  He advised the Board that Frank Bleyer was going to donate $100,000.00 to assist in the reconstruction of the Frank Bleyer Field. 

2018 School Report Card:  Superintendent Murphy briefly reviewed the 2018 School Report Card for the Board.  He said a more detailed follow-up report will be given at a later meeting.

Facility Improvements Committee Update: Superintendent Murphy reviewed the memo that was included in the Board meeting packet regarding the recent Facility Improvements Committee meeting. He said the meeting focused on the poor condition of the softball field and potential remedies/improvements. The committee suggested installing synthetic turf on the field.  Mr. Murphy said student survey results indicate they would like upgraded science labs and maintenance done on restrooms.  The faculty have indicated they would like more classroom space, science labs and storage. The replacement of a deteriorating stairwell was also discussed. 

Member Tsung asked if the committee looked at different options to recondition the softball field.  He expressed his concern that the wish list was still in the process of being compiled because of the large number of stakeholders and how the Board would formalize and prioritize the list with the limited funds that were available unless the district bonded. 

President Woodard stated the need to recondition the softball field had just become apparent; and, it was suggested that with the track and field replacement project currently going on, the softball field synthetic turf installation could be added to the project through a change order.  He said the rest of the projects will be prioritized. 

Permission to Bid District Liability Insurance: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Flowers, for approval to bid district liability insurance as presented.  Roll call: Hudgins, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Booziotis and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried. 

Softball Field Synthetic Turf Change Order: The Board continued their discussion on the installation of the synthetic turf on     the softball field. 

Member VanWinkle asked if the eight-year warranty was normal.  Mr. Murphy said yes.  He said the area schools that had installed synthetic turf indicated they received the same warranty and that their fields were lasting ten years and longer. 

Member Hudgins stated that he had been conflicted with last month’s big vote on the approval to replace the track and field because of the other areas the money could have been spent; however, he said now that Frank Bleyer was donating $100,000.00 to the project he was for it. 

Member Tsung stated his concerns and feelings were the same ones he had on the track and field project last month: 1) lack of financing; 2) prioritization of our needs; and, 3) the need to do all the fields at the SuperBlock at one time because piecemealing fields does not make sense.

Member Booziotis said she felt there was an urgency to recondition the softball field at this time.        

Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the Change Order to include synthetic turf on the softball field in the amount of $144,000.00 as presented.  Roll call: Tsung voted no. Members VanWinkle, Woodard, Booziotis, Flowers and Hudgins voted yes.  Motion carried. 

2018 Tax Levy:  Motion by Booziotis, seconded by Flowers, to approve the Resolution Regarding the Estimated Amounts Necessary to Be Levied For The Year 2018. Roll call:  VanWinkle, Woodard, Booziotis, Flowers, Hudgins and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried. Final adoption of the 2018 Tax Levy will occur at the December 18, 2018 Board of Education meeting. 

Working Cash Fund Loan to the Education Fund: The request for the Working Cash Fund Loan to the Education Fund was removed from the agenda. 

District Board Policy 5:330 Update: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Booziotis, to approve the District Board Policy 5:330 update as presented.  Roll call: Woodard, Booziotis, Flowers, Hudgins, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.  First reading of the District Board Policy 5:330 update occurred at the October 18, 2018 Board of Education meeting. 

Closing of School Offices During Winter Break 2018: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the closure of all district offices during Winter Break 2018 as presented. Roll call:  Booziotis, Flowers, Hudgins, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried. 

Executive Session:  None 

Resignations/Retirements: Motion by Hudgins, seconded by Tsung, to approve the following resignations/retirements as presented:  a. Resignation of Whitney Pierce as the Cheerleading Coach for the 2018-19 school year effective November 5, 2018 as presented.  Roll call: Flowers, Hudgins, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard and Booziotis voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried. 

Employment of 2018-19 Personnel: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Booziotis, to employ the following 2018-19 personnel as presented: 

a.  Head Cook:  Heather Hines as the Head Cook at the rate of $19.71 per hour for the 2018-19 school year as presented.

b. Extra-Duty/Extended-Time Personnel: Cheerleading Coach: DeAnne Miller: $2,200.00 

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

2018-19 Volunteers:  Motion by Tsung, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the following volunteer as presented:  Richard Hudson, Volunteer Wrestling Coach.  Roll call: VanWinkle, Woodard, Booziotis, Flowers, Hudgins and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried. 

December Board Meeting: The December Board of Education meeting will be Thursday, December 13, 2018. 

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED: DECEMBER 13, 2018