June 2020 School Board Meeting Minutes

Link to Zoom Meeting Recording:

https://cchs165-my.sharepoint.com/personal/steve_murphy_cchs165_com/D

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING   OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD JUNE 11, 2020

The special meeting of the Board of Education of School District 165 was held in the Administrative Center of Carbondale Community High School District #165, 330 South Giant City Road, Carbondale, Illinois, on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:
Linda Flowers (remotely)      Francis Tsung (remotely)
Lana Galan (remotely)           Julie VanWinkle (remotely)
Joe Hudgins (remotely)          Brian Woodard
Christopher Swims (remotely)

Also present:
Stephen Murphy                     Kathryn Vieceli (remotely)
Donna Fager                            Jenna Jamieson (remotely)
Ryan Thomas (remotely)     Justin Merriman (remotely)
Mark Albertini (remotely)     Rasheeda Love (remotely)

President Woodard declared a quorum present and the special meeting of June 11, 2020, was called to order. Secretary Designee:  Due to COVID-19, Superintendent Murphy served as Secretary Designee to sign Board documents following the meeting. 

Old Business—District Transportation Service Contract Extension—Tabled to next board meeting.

Public Comments:  Mr. Murphy received email public comment from [email protected] titled, “Question for School Board Meeting: Has the school district considered terminating its relationship with the Carbondale Police Dept and eliminating the position of school resource officer?”

Mr. Murphy said the usual protocol for questions during public comments is to follow up with the individual following the meeting regarding their questions and that the public comments portion of the meeting was used for public comments and not for a question and answer session.  Mr. Murphy said however, due to the COVID-19 issues the district was already evaluating and reviewing the school resource officer contract just as the district is doing with the transportation contract.  Mr. Murphy said he would follow up with the Board in the future on the evaluation of the school resource officer agreement.

Dirk Krasinki Correspondence: The Board received a copy of the email in their Board packet that was received from the family of Dirk Krasinki (new part-time CCHS art teacher employed on May 7, 2020) advising the district of Mr. Krasinki’s death on May 25, 2020.

Financial Report:  Mr. Murphy reviewed the current financial report that was included in the Board packet.

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported on the summer school remote learning activities.

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Murphy reported that the district has purchased 200 Purell hand sanitizers, electrostatic cleaners for the maintenance personnel, and face masks in an effort to get the school back open.

Mr. Murphy said he has spoken with the feeder school superintendents regarding taking a united front approach with the recent protests, to pursue racial sensitivity training and incorporate curricular changes to meet the needs of our students.

2020-21 School Calendar: Mr. Murphy reported that he had attended a regional superintendent’s meeting that morning regarding the planning for the start of the 2020-21 school year.  He said the current proposed plan would be to start August 10, 2020 with the teachers coming in and students starting August 17, 2020, whether it’s in-person or remote learning. He said nothing can be planned until the Governor signs legislation changing school calendar guidelines. 

2020-21 Board of Education Meeting Schedule—Second Reading/Adoption: Motion by Swims, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the 2020-21 Board of Education Meeting schedule as presented.  Roll call:  Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, Motion carried.

Holiday Tournament Cost Saving Changes: Mr. Murphy reviewed the memo that was included in the Board packet regarding the proposed Holiday Tournament cost savings changes.  He said no longer holding the tournament at SIU and eliminating workers that compile stats and reports to the media could save up to $7,500.00.  He said in addition, hosting a tournament may not be feasible in 2020 given the impact of COVID-19.

Member Leaves Meeting: Member Swims left the meeting at 6:55 p.m.

IHSA State I Return to Play Guidelines: Mr. Murphy reviewed the recently released IHSA Stage 1 Return to Play Guidelines for the Board.  He said the guidelines are strict. He said no groups of more than ten athletes are allowed, and sport-specific drills and equipment are not allowed.  He said that Athletic Director Mark Albertini was developing our own guidelines based on the information the IHSA.  He said once these are approved by the Jackson County Health Department, summer workouts can begin.

NFHS Network Pixellot Camera Proposal: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Galan, to enter into a five-year lease for two Pixellot cameras with streaming services as presented. Roll call: Galan, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard and Flowers voted yes. Member Hudgins voted no. Motion carried.

Gateway Adolescent Programs: Mr. Murphy reviewed the memo that was included in the Board packet regarding the Gateway Adolescent Programs. He advised that the program was closed due to COVID-19 and that CCHS Special Education Teacher Angie Mausey, would be placed back on the campus faculty this coming year.

Updated Summer School Guidance from ISBE and  IDPH: Mr. Murphy updated the Board on the highlights of the Summer School Guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health.  He advised the biggest impact for our district is the allowance of Behind the Wheel instruction for Drivers Education, which the district has begun implementing based upon the guidelines.

Executive Session—None

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

a.  Retirement of Beatrice Irene Davenport (Rebound Secretary) effective June 15, 2020.

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

Employment of 2020-21 Personnel—None

Application for Career and Technical Educator Endorsement in Medical Terminology: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Hudgins, to Jenna Jamieson’s Application or Career and Technical Educator Endorsement in Medical Terminology as presented:  Roll call: Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan and Hudgins voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

June Board Meeting: Next Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED: JUNE 18, 2020

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Link to Zoom Meeting Recording:

https://cchs165-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/p/steve_murphy/ETZ59OAbq7dLuxVEtA47kfsBpbQjTiCKf4FvEdnK3eGiiw

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD JUNE 18, 2020

The regular scheduled 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, June 18, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. 

Upon roll call, the following members were present:
Linda Flowers (remotely)                  Francis Tsung (remotely) 
Lana Galan (remotely)                       Julie VanWinkle (remotely)
Joe Hudgins (remotely)                      Brian Woodard (remotely)
Christopher Swims (remotely)

Also present were:
Stephen Murphy                                 Brian Munoz (remotely)      
Donna Fager                                       Melinda (remotely)
Ryan Thomas                                      Ella Lacey (remotely)
Justin Merriman (remotely)  

President Woodard declared a quorum present and the regular scheduled meeting of June 18, 2020, was called to order.

Secretary Designee: Due to COVID-19 Superintendent Murphy served as Secretary Designee to sign Board documents following the meeting.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Galan, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting of May 21, 2020, and the special meeting of June 11, 2020. Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims Tsung, VanWinkle and Woodard voted yes. Nay, none.  Motion carried.

Old Business: District Transportation Service Contract Extension—No Update

Public Comments: Mr. Murphy read in full the following email public comment (Attachment #1) received from [email protected]:

June 16, 2020

Carbondale Community High School Board of Education
330 South Giant City Road
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-457-4722

Dear CCHS Board of Education,

Members of the Carbondale Community feel it is time to address policies and incidents at CCHS pertaining to discipline disparities and punitive practices related to the School Resource officer position at CCHS District 165.  This letter is not an attack on the current School Resource Officer but a way to open a conversation related to policing in schools which brings the problems listed below.  This conversation has been previously brought up and we know conversations have taken place in the past.  We feel change should be seriously considered and a conversation should begin on what that process would entail.

Nationally, school suspensions and expulsions have increased fivefold since 1980, an increase that has come with the decades-long increase in school policing; disciplinary proceedings initiated by School Resource Officers, as with the justice system outside of schools, are implemented more harshly and more frequently with students of color.

At CCHS there were 24 students arrests during the 2018-2019 school year and 15 arrests from the beginning of the 2019 school year until December 12, 2029.  Additionally, based on the data from school discipline records, the number of minority students at CCHS is 23% and those minorities make up 76% of the detentions at CCHS.  These numbers are disproportionately high, which is also in line with national trends.  As a community are to believe that CCHS believes minority children are inherently more disruptive, more challenging behaviorally than white kids?

There are several alternative models that could be implemented and better suit the students and our community.  Many advocates suggest replacing School Resource Officers with a robust mental health program for students.  Another idea is a peacebuilders program made up of people of color with roots in the community.  These staffers could undergo a training program focused on de-escalating conflicts, trauma-informed practices, reducing racial bias, becoming part of a larger behavioral health team.  This model is taken from schools in Oakland, CA.  Another model from North Caroline would put peacebuilding programs into the school, placing a qualified team of interventionists in charge of student discipline issues.

Better solutions are possible.  We need to rethink the way we are handling discipline at CCHS.  We want to put an end to the school to prison pipeline and commit to ending inequity in discipline practices at Carbondale Community High School.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

We respectfully request a response to this letter and a meeting to discuss how the District will proceed.

Sincerely,

Endorsed by:
Carbondale Racial Justice Coalition
Carbondale Spring
The Flyover Social Center

Mr. Murphy stated the usual protocol for questions during public comments is to follow up with the individual following the meeting regarding their questions.  Mr. Murphy said he will follow up with [email protected] to discuss their questions and schedule a meeting with them.

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

Payment of Bills: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Galan, to pay the remaining bills for the month of May 2020; and, those available for payment for the month of June 2020.  Roll call: Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Principal’s Report—None

Superintendent’s Report:  Mr. Murphy updated the Board on the current ISBE and IHSA guidelines. He said that significant guidance was expected to be coming out next week.

2020-21 Milk and Bread Products Bids: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Swims, to acknowledge receipt of the bids

received for 2020-21 milk and bread products; and, to award the bids to the lowest responsible bidders, Prairie Farms Dairy and Lewis Bakeries:

Milk Bid
Prairie Farms Dairy                .2512   1% White ½ pt.
P.O. Box 128                          .2754   Grade A Skim Chocolate ½ pt.
Olney, IL 62450                     .2754   Grade A Skim Strawberry ½ pt.
                                                .2462   Grade A Skim ½ pt.

Bread Bid
Lewis Bakeries                       Whole Grain Sandwich Bread, Per Slice       $.077 each          
500 N. Fulton Ave.                 Whole Grain Hot Dog Buns, Per Bun            $.173 each
Evansville, IN 47710             Whole Grain Hamburger Buns, Per Bun        $.173 each

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

Deactivation of Student Activity Fund Accounts with Zero Balances: Motion by Swims, seconded by VanWinkle, to deactivate the following student activity fund accounts due to inactivity and zero balances: #15-CCHS Music Reunion 77-88; #30-Grant Monitor; #51-Speech Tournament; #137-Class of 1997; #145-Class of 2007; #147-Class of 2009; #155-Class of 2017; #156-Class of 2018; #191-Sectional FCCLA/FHA; #201-Chinese Club; #203-Journalism Club; #210-Matt Swain; #223A-BBB Camp; #270-Wrestling; #292-Philosphy Club; #371-English Special Projects; #381-Faculty T; #382-Special Projects; #387-Special Projects/Biology Research; #389-Special Projects/Dance; #390-Jerry Hollis Fund; #392-Sign Fund; #400-Meet the Champs (Track); #412-Cross Country; #480-Liberal Arts Club; #531-Lifesavers Aux; #604-The Biggest Loser; #606 International High Schools; and #613 Lowe’s Walking Path Grant.  Roll call:  Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan and Hudgins voted yes.  Nay, none.  Motion carried.

2019-20 Amended School Calendar: Motion by Swims, seconded by VanWinkle, to approve the 2019-20 Amended School Calendar as presented.  Roll call:  Tsung, VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan, Hudgins and Swims voted yes.  Nay, none.  Motion carried.

2020-21 Consolidated District Plan: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Hudgins, to approve the 2020-21 Consolidated District Plan as presented.  Roll call: VanWinkle, Woodard, Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2020-21 School Fees: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to approve the following school fees for the 2020-21 school year: 

Student Registration: $50.00
Driver Education Fee: $45.00
Student Lunch, Regular: $3.05
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: $1.75

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

IASB PRESS Issue 103 Board Policy Manual Update—Second Reading/Adoption: Motion by Swims, seconded by Galan, to approve the IASBE PRESS Issue 103 Board Policy Manual updates as presented.  Roll call:  Flowers, Galan, Hudgins, Swims, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Executive Session—None     

Resignations/Retirements—None

Employment of 2020-21 Extra-Duty Personnel: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Galan, to employ the following extra-duty personnel as presented:

Department Chairs
Career Education:  Dallas Terry ($4,669.00)
Counseling: Lori Koester ($4,669.00)
English/Reading:  Crystal Harsey ($4,669.00)
Fine Arts:  Erik Berrey ($4,669.00)
Mathematics: Brenda Berg ($4,669.00)
Physical Well Being/Health/Driver Ed.: Kim Wheeler ($2,334.50); Michelle Thomas ($2,334.50)
Science: Lena Dierks ($4,669.00)
Social Studies: Bryan Lee ($4,669.00)
Special Education (Pilot/Trial): Jessica Pyatt ($4,669.00)
World Languages: Arnold Taylor ($4,669.00)
ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) FY20 Grant Coordinator: Terri Goodin ($4,667.00)

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

2019-20 Volunteers—None

July Board Meeting: The July Board of Education meeting will be Thursday, July 16, 2020.

Technical Difficulties with Zoom Recording: Mr. Murphy noted there had been technical difficulties in recording the zoom meeting that evening and that the recording started during the payment of bills portion of the meeting.  Mr. Murphy indicated that he was displaying the public comments letter on screen again because of the recording difficulties and reiterated that the letter was read in its entirety during the public comments portion and no discussion followed. 

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.

Submitted for public comments by: [email protected]              Attachment #1

June 16, 2020

Carbondale Community High School Board of Education
330 South Giant City Road
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-457-4722

Dear CCHS Board of Education,

Members of the Carbondale Community feel it is time to address policies and incidents at CCHS pertaining to discipline disparities and punitive practices related to the School Resource officer position at CCHS District 165. This letter is not an attack on the current School Resource Officer but a way to open a conversation related to policing in schools which brings the problems listed below.  This conversation has been previously brought up and we know conversations have taken place in the past.  We feel change should be seriously considered and a conversation should begin on what that process would entail.

Nationally, school suspensions and expulsions have increased fivefold since 1980, an increase that has come with the decades-long increase in school policing; disciplinary proceedings initiated by School Resource Officers, as with the justice system outside of schools, are implemented more harshly and more frequently with students of color.

At CCHS there were 24 students arrests during the 2018-2019 school year and 15 arrests from the beginning of the 2019 school year until December 12, 2029.  Additionally, based on the data from school discipline records, the number of minority students at CCHS is 23% and those minorities make up 76% of the detentions at CCHS.  These numbers are disproportionately high, which is also in line with national trends.  As a community are to believe that CCHS believes minority children are inherently more disruptive, more challenging behaviorally than white kids?

There are several alternative models that could be implemented and better suit the students and our community.  Many advocates suggest replacing School Resource Officers with a robust mental health program for students.  Another idea is a peacebuilders program made up of people of color with roots in the community.  These staffers could undergo a training program focused on de-escalating conflicts, trauma-informed practices, reducing racial bias, becoming part of a larger behavioral health team.  This model is taken from schools in Oakland, CA.  Another model from North Caroline would put peacebuilding programs into the school, placing a qualified team of interventionists in charge of student discipline issues.

Better solutions are possible.  We need to rethink the way we are handling discipline at CCHS.  We want to put an end to the school to prison pipeline and commit to ending inequity in discipline practices at Carbondale Community High School.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

We respectfully request a response to this letter and a meeting to discuss how the District will proceed.

Sincerely,
Endorsed by:
Carbondale Racial Justice Coalition                          Carbondale Spring                                     The Flyover Social Center

POSTED: JULY 17, 2020

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Link to Zoom Meeting Recording:  No Recording

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING   OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD JUNE 25, 2020

The special meeting of the Board of Education of School District 165 was held in the Administrative Center of Carbondale Community High School District #165, 330 South Giant City Road, Carbondale, Illinois, on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers (remotely)                  Francis Tsung (remotely)     
Lana Galan (remotely)                       Julie VanWinkle (remotely)
Joe Hudgins (remotely)                      Brian Woodard
Christopher Swims (remotely)

The following member was absent:  Joe Hudgins

Also present:
Stephen Murphy                                 Rasheeda Love (remotely)
Jenna Jamieson (remotely)           Katie Vieceli (remotely)

President Woodard declared a quorum present and the special meeting of June 25, 2020, was called to order.

Secretary Designee:  Due to COVID-19, Superintendent Murphy served as Secretary Designee to sign Board documents following the meeting.

Public Comments—None      

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Murphy reported that he met with the organizers from the protest march last week.  He said that the organizers were sending him additional information. Mr. Murphy said he would follow-up with the Board when he received the information from the group.  

Mr. Murphy briefly reviewed the recent guidelines released by the Illinois State Board of Education regarding the starting of the 2020-21 school year.  He said that district administration and faculty were investigating split schedules.  Half the students (the A group) would report to a half-day of classes on Tuesday, for example, and the other half (the B group) would report on Thursday.  He said that he may adjust this recommendation based on follow conversations with faculty and administration.

Executive Session—None

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

a. Resignation of Marla Martin (Rebound Reading/Health/Consumer Education Facilitator) effective August 1, 2020.

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

Employment of 2020-21 Licensed Personnel: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Swims, to employ the following licensed personnel as presented:

a. Reading Teacher (full-time): Leigh Burton as a full-time reading teacher for the 2020-21 school year pending receipt of her Illinois Professional Educator License. Ms. Burton’s education and experience will place her at Line 14, Column MA/MS on the on the Teacher Salary Schedule.

b. Art Teacher (3/6-time): Levi Biedermann as a part-time (3/6-time) art teacher for the 2020-21 school year pending receipt of his Illinois Professional Educator License. Mr. Biedermann’s education and experience will place him at Line 5, Column BA/BS prorated on the on the Teacher Salary Schedule.

c. Business Teacher (4/6-time): Jenna Jamieson’s as a part-time (4/6-time) business teacher for the 2020-21 school year. Ms. Jamieson’s education and experience will place her at Line 3, Column MA/MS prorated on the on the Teacher Salary Schedule. 

d. Chorus Teacher (4/6-time): Rebecca Browning as a part-time (4/6-time) chorus teacher for the 2020-21 school year. Ms. Browning’s education and experience will place her at 10, Column BA/BS+12 prorated on the on the Teacher Salary Schedule. 

e. Social Studies Teacher (2/6-time): Kevin Stamp as part-time (2/6-time) social studies teacher for the 2020-21 school year.  Mr. Stamp’s education and experience will place him at Column 22, BA/BS+24 prorated on the Teacher Salary Schedule.

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

Employment of 2020-21 Extra-Duty/Extended-Time Personnel: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Swims, to employ the following 2020-21 extra-duty/extended-time personnel as presented:

Title I Coordinator: Terri Goodin ($4,669.00)
Wellness Coordinator:  Kim Wheeler ($1,167.33), Stacey Massie ($1,167.33), C.J. Buss ($1,167.33)

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

July Board Meeting: Next Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, July 16, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

Technical Difficulties with Zoom Recording: Mr. Murphy advised there may have been some technical difficulty with the zoom recording at the beginning of the meeting.  He said that he wanted to reiterate that he was serving as the Secretary designee due to the COVID-19 restrictions and that no public comments had been received for the Board meeting.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED: JULY 16, 2020