February 2019 School Board Meeting Minutes

There is no video of the February 21, 2019 Board of Education Meeting.

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD FEBRUARY 21, 2019

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, February 21, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. 

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers                         Julie VanWinkle
Joe Hudgins                            Brian Woodard
Christopher Swims

The following members were absent:

Kathy Booziotis                      Francis Tsung

Also present were:

Stephen Murphy                     Ryan Thomas
Donna Fager                           Carbondale Times Represented

President Woodard declared a quorum present and the regular meeting of February 21, 2019 was called to order.

Secretary Pro Tem:  Member Hudgins served as Secretary Pro Tem in Kathy Booziotis’ absence.

Minutes:  Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to approve the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting of January 17, 2019.  Roll call: Flowers, Hudgins, Swims, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

Public Comments: None

Payment of Bills: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Hudgins, to pay the remaining bills for the month of January 2019; and, those available for payment for the month of February 2019. Roll call: Hudgins, Swims, VanWinkle, Woodard and Flowers voted yes.  Nay, none. Motion carried.

Superintendent’s Report:  Mr. Murphy reported the following:

Minimum Wage:  The State of Illinois passed legislation that will increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by 2025. He advised the Board that for the most part, the district will not be directly impacted by the law until 2022; although rising wages in other sectors may impact what the district will need to pay in the coming years.  The administration will monitor the impact of this legislation moving forward.

Multicultural Festival: The Multicultural Festival will be Wednesday, March 6, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The theme this year is Unity in Diversity.

SMASH Academy:  The SMASH Academy is an opportunity for minority students to attend a 5-week STEM-based summer program on a university campus for three summers during their high school career.  The 2019 summer program will be at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, with potentially one week at SIU-Carbondale. 

Construction Project Update: The construction on Frank Bleyer Field and the softball field is scheduled for completion on March 1, 2019. 

Student Safety Survey: The results of the Student Safety Survey will be reported at the March Board meeting. 

Facility Improvements Committee Update: Mr. Murphy reviewed the Facility Improvements Committee Update Memo for the Board that was included in the meeting packet.  He said the committee was obtaining more stakeholder feedback in the following areas: event gym and Superblock, science labs, shop addition, media center and cafeteria addition.

Vice President Flowers asked how the parents were being notified of the proposed construction projects. Member Swims said some community members had attended some of the Facility Improvements Committee Meetings.  Dr. Flowers asked how the taxpayers in general were being informed of the district’s proposed projects. She suggested holding community meetings or public hearings to inform the public of the district’s plans and to receive their feedback. Following discussion, it was agreed that was a good idea. Mr. Murphy advised he would work with the communication’s director in scheduling a future meeting.

Permission to Solicit Bids for District Janitorial Services: Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, to solicit bids for district janitorial services as presented.  Roll call:  Swims, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers and Hudgins voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

District Maintenance Department Truck Purchase: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to approve the purchase of a district maintenance department truck through the State Contract in the amount of $27,029.00 as presented.  Roll call: VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Hudgins and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Future Green Energy Consortium: A motion was made by Linda Flowers and seconded by Christopher Swims to authorize Donna Fager to enter into an agreement with Future Green Energy Consortium to participate in the Future Green Levels One and Two Programs as presented.  Before the vote was taken, there was discussion by the Board regarding the Level Two Program 20-year contract length and what that entailed. Mr. Murphy advised he would contact the FGE Consortium and obtain more information. The Board decided to vote on the Level One Program and to table the action on the Level Two Program until the March Board meeting when more information is available. 

Motion by Flowers, seconded by Swims, to amend the Motion authorizing Donna Fager to enter into an agreement with Future Green Energy Consortium to participate in the Future Green Levels One and Two Programs, to: authorizing Donna Fager to enter into an agreement with Future Green Energy Consortium to participate in the Future Green Level One Program. Roll call: VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Hudgins and Swims voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

Working Cash Abatement Authorization Resolution: Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the Resolution to Abate $1,000,000.00 from the Working Cash Fund to the Operations and Maintenance Fund as presented. Roll call: Woodard, Flowers, Hudgins, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

FY 2019 Property Tax Relief Grant Award Response: The Board received a copy of the Illinois State Board of Education’s FY 2019 Property Tax Relief Grant Award Response in their meeting packet.  The district did not receive the grant award.

2018-19 Mid-Year Graduates: Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the February 21, 2019, mid-year graduation for the students as presented. Roll call: Flowers, Hudgins, Swims, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

2018-19 Board Sponsored Activities: Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the following 2018-19 Board sponsored activities: 

1. 2019 Top Ten Academic Student Banquet --The Board of Education President and Secretary will represent the Board of Education at the 2019 Top Ten Academic Student Banquet to be held at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at the SIU Student Center-Ballroom D.

2.  2019 Board of Education Student Artwork Presentation--The CCHS Administration, on behalf of the Board of Education, will present a certificate/cash award at the Awards Night Ceremony to be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 9, 2019, at the Carbondale Civic Center. 

3.  2019 Graduation--Dr. Joe Hudgins will receive the Class of 2019 at the graduation ceremony to be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, May 18, 2019, at the SIU-C Arena. 

4.  2019 Retirement Reception—TBD--Retirees: Sharon Lorinskas, Gary Rodvelt, Cheryl Simonds and Maria Taylor.

5.  2019 Carbondale Middle School Graduation--The Board of Education Vice President and CCHS Principal will receive the Carbondale Middle School Class of 2019 at their graduation ceremony. 

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

Resignations/Retirements: Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, to accept the following resignations/ retirements as presented:  Resignation of Molly Book, Cook’s Helper, effective January 28, 2019. Roll call:  Swims, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers and Hudgins voted yes.  Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of 2018-19 Personnel: None

2018-19 Volunteers: None

Executive Session:  Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)).  Roll call: VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Hudgins and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.  The executive session convened at 7:38 p.m.  The executive session adjourned at 9:26 p.m.  President Woodard stated no action was taken while in executive session.

Spring Break: Spring Break is March 11-15, 2019.

March Board of Education Meeting:  The next Board of Education meeting will be Thursday, March 21, 2019.

2019 IASB Constitution & Position Statement: The Board received the 2019 IASB Constitution & Position Statements in their meeting packet.

Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED: March 21, 2019