October 2024 School Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CARBONDALE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 165, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS HELD OCTOBER 17, 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, October 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Rania Dababneh (Virtual)      Neophansya Robinson 
Linda Flowers (Virtual)          Christopher E. Swims 
Lana Galan                             Julie VanWinkle 
Wendell Pohlman

Also present were: 

Daniel Booth                           Ryan Thomas  
Ray Toliver Jr.                        Lena Dierks

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of September 19, 2024. Roll call:  Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Old Business—None

Public Comments—None

FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2024-25 FOIA Requests received to date.

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

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reviewed his October Newsletter that was emailed to all parents. 

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

Construction Updates
CTE Addition: The exterior and interior block walls are complete and being painted. The roof and the HVAC units have been completed. The exterior and interior concrete work will begin next.

Solar Panels: The project began on October 1, 2024, with an estimated six-month completion timeline.

Athletic Strategic Planning
The Athletic Strategic Plan Team met on September 13, 2024, to answer the question, “Where are we now?” The Data Retreat was an opportunity to share data and information about CCHS Athletics to develop a shared understanding of the current performance of the athletic program. The Board received the plan team findings. Mr. Booth asked the Board to review the findings and provide their input.

Principal Appreciation Week
Principal Appreciation Week is October 20-26, 2024, and Principal Appreciation Day is on October 25, 2024. The Board received a copy of the press release and proclamation from the Illinois Principal’s Association and the State of Illinois Proclamation from Governor Pritzker. Mr. Booth thanked Principal Ryan Thomas for his service.

CCHS Education Foundation 
The Board received nomination forms for the Hall of Service and Hall of Achievement. The Foundation is accepting nominations until December 16, 2024.

The Foundation has begun planning for the 2025 Black and White Ball and Hall of Service/Hall of Achievement induction. The date of the event is August 23, 2025.

Strategic Planning Progress
The following updates will be given to the Board on the strategic plan: 
October: Board approves updated KPI’s and Targets 
November: Report Card Review 
January/February: Update the Board on progress of KPI’s and Targets. 
June: Share the end of year report on strategic plan progress. 
July: Superintendent Evaluation

2024-25 District Key Performance Indicators and Targets: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the 2024-25 District Key Performance Indicators and Targets as presented.  Roll call: Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Student Attendance Reports: The Board received the September Student Attendance Report and the August and September Terrier Tutoring Student Attendance Reports.

Pepsi MidAmerica 15-Year Contract Agreement: Motion by Robinson, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the Pepsi MidAmerica 15-Year Contract Agreement to provide vending and snack services to CCHS as presented. Roll call: Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Sullivan Rice Audit Engagement 3-Year Contract Extension: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Robinson, to accept the audit engagement 3-year (FY26, FY27 and FY28) contract extension from Rice Sullivan as presented.  Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Future Green Two-Year Agreement: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Robinson, to approve the 2-year (FY25 and FY26) agreement with Future Green to provide a reduced electricity supply rate. Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman and Robinson voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2023-24 Audit and Report on Shared Services or Outsourcing: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Galan, to accept the 2023-24 Audit as presented; and, to acknowledge the Report on Shared Services or Outsourcing contained in the Audit (on page 43) for posting on the district website. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2024-25 Textbook List: The Board received the 2024-25 Textbook List per Board Policy 6:210.

IASB PRESS Issue 116 Board Policy Manual Updates—First Reading: The Board received IASB PRESS Issue 116 Board Policy Manual updates for first reading.  The second reading/adoption of the IASB PRESS Issue 116 Board Policy Updates will occur at the November 14, 2024, Board of Education meeting.

FY25 School Maintenance Grant Application: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to approve the submission of the FY25 School Maintenance Grant Application as presented. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Resignations/Retirements: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to accept the resignation of Jessica Sergeev (Teacher Aide and Key Club Sponsor) effective October 14, 2024.  Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Poohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none.

Employment of Personnel

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

Key Club Sponsor: LeAnne Gaydos $3,502.00 
Peer Mediation Club Sponsor: Jimi Bradley $368.00 
Play 1-Theatre Director: Braden Cummins $2,438.00 
Play 1-Assistant Theatre Director: Josh Vargas $542.50, Josh Taylor $542.00 Teekae Kelly $542.50, Seth Kohlhass $542.50

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

Bilingual/ESL Paraprofessional: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Galan, to retroactively employ Eugenia Tomas effective October 7, 2024, as a Bilingual/ESL Paraprofessional at the rate of $16.50 per hour for the 2024-25 school year. Roll call: Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Hall Monitor: Motion by Robinson, seconded by Galan, to employ James Austin as a Hall Monitor at the rate of $15.00 per hour for the 2024-25 school year.  Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2024-25 Volunteers: Motion by Swims, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the following 2024-25 volunteers as presented:

Lauren Hickle: Speech Team Volunteer 
Dr. Ryan Reed: Counseling Department Volunteer 
Jeff Moon, Bass Boat Captain Volunteer

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

For Your Information Items
2024 NAACP Freedom Fund Gala: Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., at the Carbondale Civic Center.

November Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, November 14, 2024.

2024 IASB Joint Annual Conference: Thursday-Sunday, November 22-24, 2024.

Executive Session—None

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

Minutes Approved: November 12, 2024