April 2024 School Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD APRIL 18, 2024 The regular meeting of the Board of Education of School District 165 was held in the cafeteria of Carbondale Community High School, 1301 East Walnut Street, Carbondale, Illinois, on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Rania Dababneh                     Christopher Swims 
Linda Flowers                         Julie VanWinkle 
Wendell Pohlman

The following members were absent:

Lana Galan                             Francis Tsung

Also present:

Daniel Booth                           Ethan Graham 
Ray Toliver, Jr.                         Caitlin Klaybor 
Ryan Thomas                          Assured Partners Representatives

President VanWinkle declared a quorum present and the regular meeting of April 18, 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 March 21, 2024.  Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Old Business—None

Public Comments—None

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

Payment of Bills: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to pay the remaining bills for the month of March 2024; and, those available for payment for the month of April 2024. Roll call: Flowers, Pohlman, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

ESSER III Grant Expend.: The Board received an update on the ESSER III Grant expenditures.

Principal’s Report:  Mr. Thomas reported:

Science Fair: 26 Students have qualified for the State Science Fair at Milliken University on May 4, 2024.

History Fair: 17 Projects qualified for the State History Fair in Springfield on April 24, 2024.

State FBLA: There were 30 events, students placed in top 10 in 27 events, three first place overall, and 17 National Qualifiers for Orlando in June.

Students Shakara Richardson and Trey Mena-Linderman were recognized at the Illinois Principal Association Student Recognition Dinner.

Calen Lilly broke the long jump record with a of jump of 22’6”. He beat the record set by Jemel Clark in 2001.

The Music Department competed in a competition at Murphysboro High School, and earned three superior ratings and one excellent rating.  The Tango Jazz Combo received Best of Day.  The Music Department has launched a Facebook/Instagram page and YouTube Channel.

ACES (Academic Challenge in Engineering in Science; formally known as WYSE): The ACES Team earned first place at a competition at Eastern Illinois University, in the category of 1500 or fewer student division.  There are 30 schools in the division. They earned first place in English, Math and Physics equaling first place overall.

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

CCHS Job Fair
The third annual CCHS Job Fair is scheduled for May 7, 2024.  CCHS is partnering with the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and the City of Carbondale for the event. There over 25 businesses that have registered to attend and over 90 students have signed up to participate. Students that are participating are required to complete a series of training sessions organized by Dallas Terry and Caitlin Klaybor during Terrier Time to participate. They are also required to complete and submit a resume for use at the event.

City of Carbondale Internship 
The City of Carbondale is currently seeking applicants for the 2024 City of Carbondale Summer Internship Program. The Summer Internship Program invites a cohort of students from CCHS to participate in an eight-week program from Friday, May 31, 2024 through Friday, July 26, 2024. The program aims to provide hands-on experience in various departments within the city government, allowing students to gain insight into municipal operations and contribute to larger projects determined by each department. Each week, students will participate in a lunch and learn program in which they will meet community members that will speak on a variety of topics ranging from civic engagement to financial planning.

Board Data Update Reports: The Board received the following update reports: 
March Student Attendance Report 
March Terrier Tutoring Student Attendance Report

Strategic Plan Report—None

Building and Grounds Committee: Mr. Booth reviewed the Agenda from the Building and  Grounds Committee meeting held on April 15, 2024.

2024 Board of Education Student Artwork Purchase Award: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Swims, to approve the annual student artwork purchase award ($200) as presented.  Roll call: Pohlman, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Appointment of Facilities Naming Committee: Motion by Dababneh, seconded by Swims, to appoint the following individuals to serve on the Facilities Naming Committee as presented:

Lana Galan, Board Member 
Christopher Swims, Board Member 
Kathy Booziotis, Education Foundation Board Member 
Daniel Booth, Superintendent 
Ray Toliver Jr., Chief School Business Official
Gwen Poore, Athletic Director 

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

Awarding of Photography Services Bid: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Swims, to acknowledge receipt of the bids received for photography services for FY25, FY26 and FY27, and to award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder, Iconik Studio, Inc., as presented. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Request to Solicit Bids for 2024-25 Milk and Bread Products: Motion bread products for the 2024-25 school year as presented. Roll call:  by Pohlman, seconded by Dababneh, to solicit bids for milk and Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Swims and VanWinkle yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Assured Partners Presentation: Representatives from Assured Partners did a presentation for the Board on the QHP and Aetna Network insurance recommendation.

2024-25 Employee Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance Renewal: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to approve review of the agreement; and, dental, vision and life insurance renewal with Blue Cross/Blue Shield as presented.  Roll call: Flowers, Pohlman, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Presentation of 2023-24 Amended Budget for Public Display: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to receive the amended budget for the 2023-24 school year, place it on display for the public at the district office, the high school office, and the Carbondale Public Library, and to hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.  Roll call: Pohlman, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

IASB PRESS Issue 114 Board Policy Manual Updates—First Reading: The Board received IASB        PRESS Issue 114 Board Policy Manual updates for their review.  Final adoption of IASB PRESS Issue 114 Board Policy Manual updates will occur at the May 23, 2024, Board of Education meeting.

Resignations/Retirements: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Dababneh, to accept the resignations/retirements of the following personnel as presented:                           

1. Resignation of Ethan Graham (Associate Principal/Curriculum Director) effective June 30, 2024.

2. The resignation of Jeffrey Miller (CCHS/Rebound Student Liaison) at the end of the 2023-24 school year grant period.

3. Retirement of Michael Butler (Social Studies Teacher) effective at the end of the 2026-27 school year.

4. Retirement of Judy Major (Math Teacher) effective at the end of the 2026-27 school year.

5. Retirement of Melanie Nelson (CTE Teacher) effective at the end of the 2026-27 school year.

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

Employment of Personnel

2023-24 Extra-Duty Personnel—None

2024-25 Extra-Duty Personnel: Motion by Swims, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the following 2024-25 extra-duty personnel as presented:

Department Chairs 
Career & Technical Education: Dallas Terry $4,669.00 
Counseling: Caitlin Klaybor $4,669.00 
English: Crystal Harsy $4,669.00 
Fine Arts: Erik Berrey $4,669.00 
Mathematics: Brenda Berg $4,669.00 
Physical Education/Health/Driver Ed.: Kyle Povolish $2,334.50 
Science: Lena Dierks $4,669.00 
Social Studies: Bryan Lee $4,669.00 
Student Services: Josh Taylor $4,000.00; Amy Prudencio $669.00 
World Languages: Jane Rendon $4,669.00

Band 
Director: Greg Townsend $9,924.00 
Assistant Director II: Katrina Wood $3,502.00 
Drill Team Director: Jessica Clark $1,085.00 

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

Special Education Teacher: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Dababneh, to employ Cheryl Drue as a full-time Special Education Teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Ms. Drue’s education and experience will place her at Line 14, Column BA/BS on the 2024-25 Teacher Salary Schedule.  Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2023-24 Volunteers: Motion by Swims, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the following 2023-24 volunteer as presented: Chris Burnside Volunteer Track Coach.  Roll call: Flowers, Pohlman, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

For Your Information Items  
Awards Night: May 2, 2024, 7:00 p.m., Carbondale Civic Center 
Next Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, May 23, 2024 
Graduation: May 18, 2024, 3:00 p.m., at the Banterra Center

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED: MAY 24, 2024