October 2019 School Board Meeting Minutes

Link to video of October 17, 2019 Board of Education Meeting: 

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD OCTOBER 17, 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, October 17, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

President Woodard appointed Julie VanWinkle to serve as Secretary Pro Tem in Joe Hudgins’ absence.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Lana Galan                             Julie VanWinkle
Christopher Swims                 Brian Woodard
Francis Tsung 

The following members were absent:
Linda Flowers                         Joe Hudgins               

Also present were:

Stephen Murphy                     Lena Dierks
Donna Fager                           Stacy Massie
Ryan Thomas                          CCHSEA Represented
Sandy Snowden                      Tom Crabtree, Stifel                                   

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of September 19, 2019. Roll call: Galan, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried. 

Old Business: None 

Public Comments: None 

2020 Graduation Ceremony: The 2020 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. with the location to be determined. 

FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2019-20 FOIA Requests received to date.

Rebound Program Presentation: Sandy Snowden, Rebound Adult Education Coordinator, did a presentation for the Board regarding the activities of the Rebound Program.

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

Bond Presentation: Tom Crabtree, a representative of Stifel, did a bond presentation for the Board.

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

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported on the following:
∙2nd Quarter
∙Rachel’s Challenge follow-up
∙SMASH Academy Class of 2023 ∙Students participating in State Senator Schimpf’s Youth Advisory County on October 29, 2019 in Springfield
∙Fall Sports update 

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Murphy reported on the following:
∙ISBE will release the School Report Card on October 31, 2019. It will be presented at the November Board meeting. 

Facility Improvements Committee Update/Approval of Architect Design Services: Mr. Murphy reviewed the memo that was included in the Board meeting packet regarding the recent Facility Improvements Committee meetings. The memo contained the Proposed Scope of Work, Project Cost and Schedule for the five facility improvement projects submitted by district architect Paul Lunsford; and, the High School Facility Master Plan and Superblock Master Plan.  Mr. Murphy requested the Board approve $130,600.00 to be allocated for Design Services toward the projects.

Member VanWinkle asked if there had been any consideration of using a different architect for the projects as had been mentioned at one time.  Mr. Murphy said that had been mentioned; however, after having worked with Mr. Lundsford over the past two years on various projects he felt confident he could do these projects.

Member Tsung asked if the Board was obligated to the taxpayers to entertain other architects for the projects. He asked if the Board was doing their due diligence by not investigating this. Mr. Murphy said that the Board was not obligated; however, they could if they wished to do so.

Member Swims said that after serving on the Facility Improvements Committee and attending the meetings over the past year he felt it was in the best interest of the students to move forward with the recommendation as presented. He said in not doing so would push the projects back even further.

President Woodard said he was comfortable with using Paul Lundsford.  He said that through the work of the Facility Improvements Committee over the past year due diligence had been done by the Board and the design work was the next step in the process.

Member Swims left the meeting at 8:50 p.m. and returned at 8:52 p.m.

Motion by Tsung, seconded by Swims, to approve the allocation of $130,600.00 for architect design services for the proposed facility improvement projects as submitted by district architect Paul Lundsford. Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Galan and Swims voted yes.  Nay, none. Motion carried.

2019-20 District-Wide Goals: Mr. Murphy reviewed the proposed 2019-20 District-Wide Goals for the Board.

Motion by Swims, seconded by Galan, to approve the 2019-20 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. 

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 develop and implement a district dashboard to assist in tracking and communicating student and school achievement data.

Roll call: VanWinkle, Woodard, Galan, Swims and Tsung voted yes.  Nay, none. Motion carried.

14-Passenger Activity Bus:  Motion by Swims, seconded by Galan, to approve the purchase of a 14-passenger activity bus under the Illinois State Bid Contract from Southern Bus & Mobility in the amount of $48,440.00 as presented.  Roll call: Woodard, Galan, Swims, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes.  Nay, none. Motion carried.

2019-20 Resolution to Regulate Expense Reimbursements: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to approve the 2019-20 Resolution to Regulate Expense Reimbursements as presented.  Roll call: Galan, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Executive Session: None

Resignations/Retirements
: None 

Employment of 2019-20 Personnel: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Galan, to employ the following 2019-20 personnel as presented:

a. Industrial Maintenance Painter—Keith Keipp as an Industrial Maintenance Painter (full-time 12-month position) retroactive to October 1, 2019, at the rate of $17.00 per hour for the 2019-20 school year.

b. Extra-Duty/Extended-Time Personnel--Personnel: Assistant Girls Basketball Coach: Jimi Bradley $5,666.00

Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Galan and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried. 

2019-20 Maintenance Personnel Revised Wages: Motion by Swims, seconded by Galan, to approve the following maintenance personnel revised hourly wages for the 2019-20 school year as presented:

Austin Hardwig, Industrial Maintenance Technician:  $17.50/Hour
Eric Flowers, Groundskeeper:  $17.00/Hour
Dave Little, Maintenance Technician:  $14.03/Hour

Roll call: Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2019-20 Volunteers: None

NAACP Banquet: The NAACP 42nd Annual Freedom Fund Banquet is Sunday, October 27, 2019, at the Carbondale Civic Center at 4:00 p.m.

November Board of Education Meeting: The November Board of Education meeting is Thursday, November 14, 2019.

2019 IASB Resolutions Committee Report: The Board received the 2019 IASB Resolutions Committee Report in their Board packet.

Request to Change Start Time of Board Meetings:  Member Tsung asked if the start time for the Board meetings could be moved up to 6:00 p.m. so the meetings would end earlier. Mr. Murphy said yes, the change could be made. The Board members agreed with the change.  A motion to change the start time of the meetings will be placed on the November Board meeting agenda.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED: NOVEMBER 14, 2019