October 2018 School Board Minutes

Link to Video of October 18, 2018 Board of Education Meeting:  https://vimeo.com/296454569

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD OCTOBER 18, 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, October 18, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Kathy Booziotis                      Julie VanWinkle
Linda Flowers                         Brian Woodard
Christopher Swims

The following members were absent:

Joe Hudgins                            Francis Tsung

Also present were:

Stephen Murphy                     Ryan Thomas
Donna Fager                           Lena Dierks

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Swims, to approve the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting and executive session of September 20, 2018. Roll call: Booziotis, Flowers, Swims, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Old Business: None

Public Comments: None

Science Department Presentation: Lena Dierks, Science Department Chair, did a presentation for the Board regarding the activities of the Science Department. 

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

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Murphy advised the Board the projections were 50/50 that CCHS would be hosting a home football playoff game Saturday, October 27, 2018.

Facility Improvements Committee Update: Superintendent Murphy reviewed the memo that was included in the Board meeting packet regarding the recent Facility Improvements Committee meetings.  He advised he would begin providing monthly updates at the Board   meetings.  Lena Dierks presented photographs from several area high school science labs to show the Board things the Science Department would like to improve or upgrade in their department.

2018-19 District-Wide Goals: Mr. Murphy reviewed the proposed 2018-19 District-Wide Goals for the Board. 

Vice President Flowers asked if there was any suspension data from Senate Bill 100.  Mr. Murphy advised the state was sending out a report October 31, 2018, listing the top 20 schools with suspensions, racial disparity and expulsion rates and that he would forward that to the Board when received.

Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to approve the 2018-19 District-Wide Goals as presented:

1. We will continue to maintain the positive financial position of the district.
      a. We will develop a strategic facility improvement plan based on feedback from various community stakeholders. 

2. We will actively work to enhance the diversity of our workforce, including the recruitment and retention of ethnic minority staff. 
         a. We will investigate and support potential programs that will encourage students who have a career interest in education.

3. We will continue to promote positive Public Relations efforts in the district. 

4. We will continue to analyze, address, and respond to issues associated with the Every Student Succeeds Act, the Illinois Balanced Accountability Model, and other Federal and State Education initiatives. 
        a. We will pursue and maintain at least a Commendable rating on the new Illinois School Report Card, which focuses on Graduation Rate, ELA and Math growth on the SAT, Chronic Absenteeism, and Freshman on Track.
         b. We will pursue a 50% reduction in students who are suspended out of school. 

5. We will develop recommendations for potential changes to our daily school schedule that would be in the best interest of students.

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

Carlton Smith: Carlton Smith addressed the Board on several areas of concern he had.  He said that he continued to advocate for more diversity in the school district.  He said that former Principal Daniel Booth had attended the Annual Black Alumni Event in the past, and that he hoped the district would continue to participate in the future.  He said that he contacted the state regarding Senate Bill 100 and they could not provide him any information.  He said the district should not be afraid to suspend students when needed; however, when there is an alternative that provides a functional learning activity this should be used.  Member Swims advised Mr. Murphy that he would assist with the Black Alumni Event. 

District Board Policy 5:330 Updates—First Reading: The Board received District Board Policy 5:330 updates for first reading. Second reading and adoption of the Board Policy 5:330 updates will occur at the November 8, 2018 Board of Education meeting. 

Short-Term Substitute Training Agreement: Motion by Booziotis, seconded by Flowers, to approve the Short-Term Substitute Training Agreement as presented.  Roll call:  VanWinkle, Woodard, Booziotis, Flowers and Swims voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried. 

Enterprise Zone Resolution: Motion by Booziotis, seconded by Swims, to approve the Enterprise Zone Resolution as presented.  Roll call: Woodard, Booziotis, Flowers, Swims and VanWinkle vote yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried. 

Member VanWinkle asked what businesses were benefitting the most from the Enterprise Zone.  Mr. Murphy said that he did not know, but that he would find out and let the Board know. 

Executive Session: None

Resignations/Retirements: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, approve the following resignations/retirements as presented:

a. Resignation of Ethan May as an Assistant Speech Team Advisor for the 2018-19 school year as presented.

b. Resignation of Sherry Wyatt as the Head Cook effective October 15, 2018, as presented.

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

Mr. Murphy advised that Cook Heather Hines was Acting Head Cook until an employment decision has been made.

Employment of 2018-19 Personnel: Motion by Swims, seconded by Booziotis, to employ the following 2018-19 personnel as presented: a. Extra-Duty/Extended-Time Personnel: Assistant Speech Team Advisor: Cheryl Simonds: $1,467.00 Roll call:  Flowers, Swims, VanWinkle, Woodard and Booziotis voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Approval of 2018-19 Volunteers: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to approve the following 2018-19 volunteers as presented: Barbara Anderson: Fast Track Transition Services Volunteer; Cathy Mostinger: Fast Track Transition Services Volunteer; Christopher Gillespie: Speech Team Volunteer; Matthew Wilson: Speech Team Volunteer; Hope Fuqua Jones: Rotary Interact Club Volunteer; Nolen Beck: Wrestling Coach Volunteer; Kristen Matthews: LifeSaver Volunteer. Roll call:  Swim, VanWinkle, Woodard, Booziotis and Flowers voted yes.  Nay, none.  Motion carried. 

November Board of Education Meeting: The November Board of Education meeting will be Thursday, November 8, 2018.

2018 IASB Resolutions Committee Report: The Board received the 2018 IASB Resolutions Committee Report in their Board packet.  Mr. Murphy noted that two of the proposed resolutions were advocating for conceal and carry that would allow certain school personnel to be trained to carry a concealed firearm.  He said that the school districts that were proposing these resolutions were primarily the ones that were in very rural areas that did not have a school resource officer or local or nearby law enforcement for protection assistance.  Following a discussion by the Board it was agreed that the consensus of the Board was that this was a very bad idea; and, that they would only be agreeable if there was local control and a high level of training.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED NOVEMBER 8, 2018