June 2024 School Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD JUNE 20, 2024

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, June 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Rania Dababneh                     Christopher Swims 
Linda Flowers                         Francis Tsung 
Wendell Pohlman                   Julie VanWinkle

The following member was absent:  Lana Galan

Also present were:

Daniel Booth                          Ethan Graham 
Ray Toliver, Jr.                       Lena Dierks 
Ryan Thomas                         Gwen Poore

President VanWinkle declared a quorum present and the regular meeting of June 20, 2024, was called to order.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Swims, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of May 23, 2024.  Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Swims Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Member Answers Roll Call: Member Galan answered roll call at 6:01 p.m.

Old Business—None

Public Comments—None

Recognition of Boys Track Team: Gwen Poore recognized the Boys Track Team and Coach Mykel Gary on their outstanding season accomplishments:

Long Jump School Record 22’6.883”: Calen Lilly 
Class 2A IHSA 400 Meter Run – 6th Place: Oluwapelumi Badejo 
Class 2A IHSA 4x100 Relay – 6th Place: Landon Love, Demarzion Graham, Austin Dedecker and Makari Roper 
Class 2A IHSA 4x200 Relay – 2nd Place: Austin Dedecker, Makari Roper, Demarzion Graham and Landon Love 
Class 2A 4x400 Relay – 2nd Place: Demarzion Graham, Austin Dedecker, Makari Roper and Oluwapelumi Badejo

The team members present were Austin Dedecker, Demarzion Graham, Brennon Gleason, Calen Lilly, Landon Love and Makari Roper. They were given commemorative canvass photographs. President VanWinkle congratulated the team and thanked them for coming to the meeting.

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

Payment of Bills: Motion by Polhman, seconded by Tsung, to pay the remaining bills for the month of May 2024; and, those available for payment for the month of June 2024.  Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Wwims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

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

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported on:

Summer Enrichment Program
The Summer Enrichment Program ended June 14, 2024. Approximately 104 students attended the program.

Summer Credit Recovery Program
The Summer Credit Recovery Program ends June 21, 2024. 
9 Students completed 0.5 credits of English. 
4 Students completed 0.5 credits of Social Studies.
17 Students completed 0.5 credits of Science.
30 Students completed 0.5 credits of Math.
4 Students completed graduation requirements.

Summer Driver Education Program
The Summer Driver Education Program ends June 28, 2024. There are two classes with 25 students in each class.

Upcoming Events
New Teacher Orientation is July 30, 31 and August 1, 2024.
Online Student Registration and Schedule Release is July 22, 2024.
9th Grade Orientation is August 6 and 7, 2024.

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

Constructions Updates:

CTE Addition: Berry Concrete continues to work on the foundation and footings and will pour the building’s slab next. Once the foundation work is completed, plumbing, steel work, roof decking, and masonry work will commence.

Solar Panels: GRP is working with Ameren to ensure the connection inverters can handle the amount of energy produced by the number of solar panels that this project is estimated using. If current inverters cannot handle the amount of energy produced, the district will either need to decrease the number of panels or purchase higher capacity inverters that can handle the energy load. Ameren is working on pricing for new inverters, and GRP has agreed to pay up to $200,000 of the cost of new inverters if this is the route the district goes.

Gymnasium Scoreboard: The scoreboard in the gymnasium is over 20 years old and needs to be updated. The administration is working with Nevco on potential replacements that include a video board concept within the scoreboard functions and shot clocks for each basket.  Total pricing is about $150,000. Gwen Poore is working with local sponsors to cover the cost of the project. Currently approximately $50,000 in donations towards the project has been secured and hope to obtain the remainder before the end of the summer.

Strategic Planning Progress
June: End Year Strategic Plan Update
July: Superintendent Evaluation

2023-24 Annual Strategic Plan Update Report: Daniel Booth, Ethan Graham, Ryan Thomas and Ray Toliver reviewed the 2023-24 Annual Strategic Plan Update Report for the Board.  Click here to read the report

Member Leaves Meeting and Returns to the Meeting: Member Swims left the meeting at 7:11 p.m. and returned at 7:13 p.m.

Member Leaves Meeting and Returns to the Meeting: Member Pohlman left the meeting at 7:28 p.m. and returned at 7:30 p.m.

Board Data Update Reports: The Board received the May Student Attendance Report and the May Terrier Tutoring Student Attendance Report in their Board packet.

Meeting Recesses and Reconvenes: The meeting recessed at 8:10 p.m. and reconvened at 8:15 p.m.

2024-25 Wellness/Physical Fitness Program Reimbursement: Motion by Flowers seconded by Tsung, to approve the Wellness/Fitness Program Reimbursement for the 2024-25 school year. Roll call: Galan, Pohlman, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

The Naming of the Robert Brewer Gymnasium Floor and Athletic Hall of Fame Area: Motion by Swims, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the Facilities Naming Committee recommendation from Wesley Gibson to name the gymnasium floor and the Athletic Hall of Fame area after Robert Brewer for a donation in the amount of $125,000 as presented.  The first reading of the recommendation occurred at the May 23, 2024, Board meeting.  Roll call Pohlman, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Awarding of 2024-25 Milk and Bread Products Bids: Motion by Swims, seconded by Dababneh, to acknowledge receipt of the bids received for 2024-25 milk and bread products; and, to award the bids to the lowest responsible bidders, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. and Bimbo Bakeries:

Milk Bid
Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.       
$0.2982           1% White ½ pt.
$0.3276           1% Chocolate ½ pt.
$0.3265           1% Strawberry ½ pt.
$0.2873           Skim ½ pt.

Bread Bid
Bimbo Bakeries     
Whole Grain Sandwich Bread, Per Slice        $0.13 each
Whole Grain Hot Dog Buns, Per Bun            $0.29 each
Whole Grain Hamburger Buns, Per Bun        $0.29 each

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

Resolution to Permanently Transfer FY24 Interest Earned in Working Cash Fund to Education Fund: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Debabneh, to approve the Resolution to Permanently Transfer $63,658 from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund. Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman and Swims voted yes. Nay, None. Motion carried.

2024-25 School Fees: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Tsung, to approve the following school fees for the 2024-25 school year: 

Student Registration: $50.00
Driver Education Fee: $45.00
Student Lunch, Regular: $3.10
Student Lunch, Reduced: $0.40
Student Breakfast, Regular: $1.50
Student Breakfast, Reduced: $0.30
Student/Adult Milk: $0.30
Adult Lunch: $3.50
Adult Breakfast: $2.00

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

2024-25 Centerstone Memorandum of Understanding: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the 2024-25 Memorandum of Understanding with Centerstone as presented.  Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Swims, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2024-25 Consolidated District Plan: Motion by Galan, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the 2024-25 Consolidated District Plan as presented.  Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Resignations: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Dababneh. to accept the following resignations as presented:

a. Resignation of Joseph Williams (Assistant Principal) effective June 30, 2024.
b. Resignation of Toni Carter (Teacher Aide) effective June 7, 2024.
c. Resignation of Aubrey Hines (Cook) effective August 1, 2024.
d. Resignation of Marialice Jenkins (Hall Monitor and Girls Golf Coach) effective June 18, 2024.

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

Employment of 2024-25 Extra-Duty/Extended-Time Personnel: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Galan, to employ the following 2024-25 extra-duty/extended-time personnel as presented:

African American History Club Sponsor: Jacara Brisco $542.50; Rasheeda Love $542.50
Gay Straight Alliance Club Sponsor: Angelique Moeller $368.00
Junior Class Sponsor: Michelle Lewis $4,669.00
Key Club Sponsor: Nicole Feng $2,000.00; Erin Sagaskie $1,502.00
LifeSavers Sponsor: Stacey Massie $875.50; Kyle Povolish $875.50; Jessie Anderson $875.50; Cara Manncznski $875.50
Speech Team Sponsor: Braden Cummins $6,422.00
Assistant Speech Team Sponsor: Vanessa Sneed $4,669.00
Thespian Club Sponsor: Josh Taylor $368.00
Master Schedule Coordinator Extended-Time (1 Month): Caitlin Klaybor
Assistant Football Coach: Jake Brantley $1,000.00; Jordan Bradley $1,000.00
Assistant Band Director: Jeremy Followell $1,167.20; Ashley Followell $1,167.20; Lorie Trexler $1,167.20; Deirdre Stokes $1,167.20; Miles Niehaus $1,167.20

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

Employment of CTE Teacher: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to employ Zachary Clark as a full-time Career and Technical Education Teacher for the 2024-25 school year.  Mr. Clark’s experience and education place him at Line 1, Column BA/BS on the 2024-25 Teacher Salary Schedule.  Roll call: Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of Faculty Secretary: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Dababneh, to employ Heather Taylor as a 10-month Faculty Secretary at the rate of $15.56 per hour for the 2024-25 school year, effective July 29, 2024.  Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of Dean of Students: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Swims, to employ Lena Dierks as an 11- month Dean of Students with a salary of $95,000 for the 2024-25 school year, effective July 1, 2024. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of Assistant Principal: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to employ Dr. Tyler Chance as a 10.5-month Assistant Principal with a salary of $85,000 for the 2024-25 school year, effective July 1, 2024.  Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Swims, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Head Cook and Cook Positions: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Galan, to table the motions on the head cook and cook positions until the July Board meeting.  Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none.

Employment of Teacher Aides:
Motion by Galan, seconded by Flowers, to employ Sharon Lorinskas as a Teacher Aide at the rate of $15.00 per hour for the 2024-25 school year.  Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Tsung, to employ Amy McMorrow Hunter as a Teacher Aide at the rate of $15.00 per hour for the 2024-25 school year.  Roll call: Pohlman, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh, and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2024-25 Volunteers—None

Resignation of Board of Education Member, Francis Tsung: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to accept the resignation of Board of Education Member, Francis Tsung, effective June 21, 2024.  Roll call: Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.  Board President Julie VanWinkle thanked Dr. Tsung on behalf of the Board for his 15 years of service as a member of the Board of Education. The Board purchased an engraved auditorium seat name plate to commemorate his service on the Board.

For Your Information Items:
1. Superintendent evaluations due July 1, 2024.
2. Next Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, July 18, 2024
3. Thank you cards from Sandy Stanley

Executive Session—None     

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

Minutes Approved: July 18, 2024