Carbondale Elementary School District #95 Board of Education met Dec. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
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, December 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Upon roll call, the following members were present:
Linda Flowers (Virtual) Wendell Pohlman
Paul Fraizer Christopher E. Swims
Lana Galan Julie Womick VanWinkle
The following member was absent: Neophansya Robinson
Also present were:
Daniel Booth Ryan Thomas
Ray Toliver, Jr. Lena Dierks
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of November 13, 2025. Roll call: Flowers, Fraizer, Galan, Pohlman, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Old Business—None
Public Comments—None
Member Answers Roll Call: Member Robinson answered roll call virtually at 6:03 p.m.
Ryan Thomas Named Principal of the Year by the IPA Shawnee Division: Principal Ryan Thomas was named Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association Shawnee Division. The award recognizes high school principals who have demonstrated a positive impact on their students and learning community.
C.J. Buss Received National Board Certification: Social Studies Teacher, C.J. Buss, received National Board Certification through the NBPTS (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards). The National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. It was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide.
FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2025-26 FOIA Requests received to date.
Payment of Bills: Motion by Swims, seconded by Fraizer, to pay the remaining bills for the month of November 2025; and, those available for payment for the month of December 2025. Roll call: Fraizer, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported on the December activities occurring on campus.
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Booth reported the following information to the Board:
Science Wing Project Update: Work has begun on the science wing project. The footings are being completed and the steel will be erected on January 14th, with the masonry and block work to follow after that.
Potential Future Projects:
Baseball and Softball Locker Rooms
Baseball and Softball Press Boxes
Baseball and Softball Storage and Indoor Batting Cages
Soccer Locker Room
Fine Arts Department Storage Area
JALC Promise Scholarship Program: In the Fall of 2026 John A. Logan College will begin offering Promise Scholarships to CCHS students. The scholarships will allow students to attend JALC tuition free. The requirements of the scholarship are: 90% attendance rate, 2.0 GPA, nine hours of dual credit courses, four years of math and the completion of the FASA.
Vicky King Celebration of Life Service—January 17th: Vicky King, a beloved former CCHS teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, and Board of Education member, passed away on November 23, 2025, from a short battle with ovarian cancer. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in the CCHS gymnasium.
Board Data Update Reports: The Board received the following data update reports for their information: November Student Attendance Report and November Terrier Tutoring Student Attendance Report.
Awarding of Chiller and Cooling System Replacement Bids: Motion by Swims, seconded by Galan, to acknowledge receipt of the bids received for the chiller and cooling system replacement; and, to award the mechanical construction contract to Heartland Mechanical Contractors of Murphysboro, Illinois, for a base bid amount of $547,880.00, which includes equipment controls in the amount of $58,000.00 from Johnson Controls, as recommended by District Architect, Paul Lunsford. Roll call: Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers and Fraizer voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2025 Tax Levy: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to approve the following:
1. Adopt the Resolution of CCHS District 165 Levy for Special Education Purposes.
2. Adopt the 2025 Tax Levy Resolution, including the 2025 Certificate of Tax Levy, with permission to file the levy in Jackson and Williamson Counties.
3. Adopt the Certificate Regarding In applicability of the Truth-In- Taxation Law.
4. Adopt the “PTELL” Resolution, including Exhibit A, Request To Clerk Regarding Reduction of 2025 Tax Extension Pursuant to PTELL, with permission to file with the county clerks of Jackson and Williamson Counties.
Roll call: Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers, Fraizer and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Semi-Annual Review of Executive Session Minutes: Motion by Swims, seconded by Galan, to approve the semi-annual review of the closed executive session minutes as presented. Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers, Fraizer, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
IASB PRESS Issue 120 Board Policy Manual Updates—Second Reading/Adoption: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Galan, to approve the IASB PRESS Issue 120 Board Policy Manual updates as presented. Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers, Fraizer, Galan, Pohlman and Robinson voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried. First reading of IASB PRESS Issue 120 Board Manual updates occurred at the November 13, 2025, Board of Education meeting.
2025-26 Spanish Class Field Trip: Motion by Galan, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the Spanish Level 4 Classes field trip to the historic Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. Per Board Policy, all field trips over 200 miles must be approved by the Board of Education. Roll call: VanWinkle, Flowers, Fraizer, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
School Attorney Engagement Resolution: Motion by Galan, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Engagement/Appointment of Legal Counsel for legal services on a as-needed basis as presented. Roll call: Flowers, Fraizer, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
Saluki Start Dual Enrollment Program Memorandum of Understanding: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to approve the Saluki Start Dual Enrollment Program Memorandum of Understanding that will allow high school students the opportunity to earn college credit at no cost for tuition and fees at SIU. Roll call: Fraizer, Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
District Discipline Improvement Plan: Motion by Galan, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the District Discipline Improvement Plan as presented. Roll call: Galan, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers and Fraizer voted yes. Nay, None. Motion carried.
Resignations—None
Employment of 2025-26 Extra-Duty Personnel—None
Employment of Rebound GED/HSE Learning Facilitator: Motion by Robinson, seconded by Pohlman, to retroactively employ Kacie Williams as a Rebound Grant Program GED/HSE Learning Facilitator, contingent upon adequate grant funding and timely receipt of those funds. The hours will be reduced during the summer or until adequate student enrollment is achieved. The employment period will be December 1, 2025-June 30, 2026. The rate of pay will be $21.00 per hour at 17.5 hours per week. Roll call: Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Flowers, Fraizer and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.
2025-26 Volunteers—None
For Your Information Items:
District offices will be closed Monday, December 22, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026, for Winter Break.
The next Board of Education meeting will be Thursday, January 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Executive Session—None
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
https://www.cchs165.jacksn.k12.il.us/board-of-education/december-2025
