Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Elementary School District #95 Board of Education met March 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the Education:

A regular meeting of the Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 was held on Thursday, March 22, 2018 6:00 PM at CES95 Administrative Center, 925 South Giant City Road, Carbondale, IL 62902.

1. Roll Call:

Upon roll call, the following members were present: Mr. John Major, President Mr. Carlton Smith, Vice President Ms. Michelle Connet Ms. Catherine Field Ms. Natasha Zaretsky Mr. Gary Shepherd

Administrators present: Dr. Elizabeth Lewin, Interim Superintendent Mr. Daniel Booth, Incoming Superintendent Mr. Justin M. Miller, Assistant Superintendent Ms. Zeppelyn Brewer, Director of Pupil Services

2. EXECUTIVE SESSION 6:05 PM

Roll Call: Mr. John Major, President Mr. Carlton Smith, Vice President Ms. Michelle Connet Ms. Catherine Field Mr. Gary Shepherd Ms. Natasha Zaretsky

Connet moved, seconded by Smith, to enter Executive Session at 6:04 PM for the purpose of discussing performance, evaluation and compensation of specific personnel matters, matters relating to student discipline, matters relating to collective bargaining, and matters relating to pending litigation.

Roll Call Vote: Yes votes: Shepherd, Connet, Field, Zaretsky, Major, Smith No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

Executive Session adjourned at 6:44 PM.

Roll Call Vote: Yes votes: Major, Connet, Field, Zaretsky, Smith, Shepherd No: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

3. Public Comments

Angela Watters – Expressed the need for greater parent involvement by creating a Board Sanctioned Parent Educational Advocacy Group. Ms. Watters continued to state her concerns about lack of communication, decisions made regarding the TWI program without parent input, volunteer opportunities not being publicly posted, schools not having a welcoming environment for parents and teacher who are also parents not feeling like they can have a voice without retaliation towards their job. She is part of a group called Access that has been formed on Facebook. They will have a representative from the National PTA on hand at their next meeting to answer questions about forming a community PTSA that advocates for the best practices in education for all children of all backgrounds. Ms. Watters extended an invitation for 1 or 2 board members to attend that meeting.

Kyle Plunkett – Expressed his opinion/concern regarding the changes in the TWI program. He feels strongly that the district should keep TWI or some unique form of a language immersion program in the district. That can help attract and retain families to the district. Mr. Plunkett’s concern, is that the interim superintendent made the decision, and the incoming superintendent was not allowed to assess the TWI program. He would be interested if the data in making the decision regarding the TWI program could be made public. He hopes for a more open response from others that are involved in the program before a final decision is made.

Jennifer Burke – Presented the Board with a signed petition regarding wanting to keep Zena Madison as the Assistant Principal at Parrish School.

Margaret Nesbitt – Thanked the Board for their support and for giving the I Can Read program a home. She extended an invitation to visit the facility at any time. Ms. Nesbitt spoke about the educational trip the I Can Read students took to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN. Ms. Nesbitt concluded with an apology for something she did that was inappropriate at the last meeting. The grandparent of a student having a due process hearing invited Ms. Nesbitt to attend the meeting and because she thought she was late for the meeting she mistakenly interrupted Executive Session before the hearing started. Carlton Smith thanked Ms. Nesbitt for her comment and wanted to clarify that she was asked by the grandmother to attend the meeting and not by him. Ms. Nesbitt replied that it’s not new for her to be asked by a parent to attend a meeting, she just didn’t know that the parent was not in the room at the time she tried to enter.

Carlton Smith asked for Kyle Plunkett and Angela Watters to return to the podium. He wanted to address some of their concerns. Mr. Smith stated that the district does support community involvement. Mr. Smith asked them are they familiar that the TWI program at the district has been operating with some difficulty and concerns? Mr. Plunkett replied that he understands there are concerns on both sides of teachers and parents. Mr. Smith went on to say about the infractions that are going on between the teachers and administration, the lack of curriculum discussed during BPAC meetings, and the concerns about the Latino population and how they are fairing in some of these classes. Mr. Plunkett replied that he has not personally spoke with the Latino population. He is open to this type of discussion, the only time he hears of things is through Facebook post. He is only speaking his opinion because he feels that type of program is of value. Mr. Smith asked Mr. Plunkett does he know of any other school district within 80 miles that has a bilingual program? Mr. Plunkett replied that Carbondale is a little different than other cities around this area. He has no problem with the diversity of this school system; he feels that things that are of value should be embraced not just because they are different. Mr. Smith responds that the district has put forth an effort to put a bilingual program here, Mr. Smith thinks that majority of the Board if not a 100% supports a bilingual program, but based on the data there needs to be some corrections, there need to be some changes made. Mr. Smith asked Mr. Plunkett if he is aware of the disparities how different students fair in the TWI program? Mr. Plunkett stated he was not sure of what Mr. Smith was asking. Angela Watters tried to interject but Mr. Smith asked her to wait. Mr. Plunkett went on to say that Mr. Smith is privy to much more information than he is and he is offended that he is continue to be asked these types of questions. Mr. Plunkett ended that he is a concerned parent giving an opinion on something that is important to him and he would love to see the data. Carlton Smith asked if the superintendent would explain the differences in the results of the TWI program. Dr. Lewin replied that she believes at the TWI parent meeting that she indicated the scores in general which showed that students, Spanish speaking English learners are not fairing well on the test longevity wise. Something is not occurring at the lower levels because learning spirals and has to start at the foundation and move forward. The Non-English learners scores are compared to students who have been in other programs are scoring fine but not as high. It is Dr. Lewin’s opinion that if they had been in regular classrooms, their academic scores would be higher. Mr. Plunkett asked if there is data that show comparison for a student not in the TWI program? Dr. Lewin said yes, the assessment is that there needs to be some fixing on the program. Angela Watters brought up something that Grant Miller stated at the TWI parent meeting.He said that the sheltered English program has had aides all along and that for all the years of the TWI program, there have been no aides to take kids out of the classroom and work with them until this year. So she really does not feel this comparison really works out scientifically. Dr. Lewin replied there is also another concern that each year the number of Spanish speaking English learners is decreasing. Having an effective two-way immersion, there are no two ways! Based on tracking the current numbers, the numbers of the English learners steadily decrease. Having 10 Non- English learners and 2 English learners is not a two-way immersion. Natasha Zaretsky added to the discussion as a board member and TWI parent. Her child has had a fabulous experience in the TWI program and when she was running for the board, she was a big supporter of TWI because she felt like it was a jewel in the crown for the district but based on the information gathered, the data shows that the English language learner in this program is being short changed and clear motivation by this board and current administration is that we have to better service our English language learners. We support bilingual education but as a parent I don’t feel that my child’s fabulous experience in the TWI program should be at the expense of the children that TWI was intended to serve. That is the point of TWI, to serve the English Language Learners; we are the secondary beneficiaries of that program.

Carlton Smith closed the discussion by stating.The Board is all on one accord with the changes made and we intend to turn this district around to make it a positive place for all students to go to and we are going to do it right!

Jennifer Hartlieb read the following statement on behalf of the Carbondale Education Association: It has come to my attention that some board members and administration don’t want me to continue speaking in public comments. The association agrees that there are other ways for me to participate in board meetings that satisfy the language in our contract which states, The faculty council president shall be the faculty representative at board meetings except at executive session. CEA made a proposal to the Board in September of 2015 asking that the contract be followed and that the faculty counsel president be part of the dialogue at board meetings. (Ms. Hartieb distributed a copy of the proposal to each board member). At that time the CEA was told that if the faculty council wanted to address the board it would have to be in public comments. Our association president hopes to work with Mr. Booth and all of you to revisit this matter in hopes that a more appropriate arrangement can be agreed upon so that I can represent the association at board meetings. We recently had a faculty council meeting, in which Dr. Lewin and Mr. Booth were both present. CEA appreciates their willingness to listen to our current struggles while supporting us in creating a plan to move forward in order to better prepare our students. There are plans in places for finding exactly what is needed and what is not in the way of materials as we meet as grade levels and as buildings. It is CEA’s hope that we can get a foundation in place before the start of the next school year so that teachers have the tools they need to meet the needs of the students of District 95. As this time is the time of year to potentially look at the future of the district; there are questions as to what our technology plan is. CEA is happy that you did not move forward with a new technology plan last spring involving Mayer Networks. However, there are still needs to be met. It is our hope that a full-time in house technology person will be hired to address the main needs of our district as opposed to depending on an outside agency that is also responsible for providing services to many others. Carlton Smith asked.Is there something going on with the computer systems again? Ms. Hartlieb replied that she can email him about that later, but I think generally it would be nice to have one person as the go to person who oversees everything and understands what is happening with our computers.

4. Approval of Agenda 

Shepherd moved, seconded by Connet, Recommend approving the Agenda:

Roll Call Vote: Yes votes: Connet, Field, Zaretsky, Major, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

5. Consent Agenda Items

Smith moved, seconded by Connet, Recommend approving Consent Agenda

Items, 5.1-Minutes, 5.2-Financial Reports and 5.3-Communications

Yes votes: Smith, Field, Zaretsky, Major, Shepherd No votes: None Abstain: Connet Absent: Murphy Motion carried 

5.1 

5.11 Regular – December 14, 2017

5.12 Executive – December 14, 2017 

5.13 Special – December 19, 2017 

5.14 Executive – December 19, 2017 

5.15 Special – January 4, 2018 

5.16 Executive – January 4, 2018 

5.17 Regular – January 25, 2018 

5.18 Executive – January 25, 2018 

5.19 BOE Retreat – February 10, 2018 

5.20 Regular – February 22, 2018 

5.21 Executive – February 22, 2018

5.2 Financial Reports

5.21 Approval of Bills 

5.22 Treasurer’s Report 

5.23 Monthly Budget Report 

5.24 School Activity Fund Reports

5.3 Communications

5.31 FOIA Requests – FOIA: 2/22/18, Carlton Smith requesting Comprehensive Plan for Sp Ed, Collective Bargaining Agreement, District By- Laws, Zeppelyn Brewer Contract and Job Description, number of students in and out of Tier 3 for FY18, number of IEP students and demographics, Civil Rights Report, and what authority of having 3 board members attend the 01/18/18 Personnel Committee meeting. FOIA: 2/26/18, Elius LaMar Reed requesting name of Human Resource Manager, name of Personnel Services Manager, name of person who constructs job descriptions/announcements, name of person who selects the candidates to be hired, name of person who conducts interviews, name of person who formulates recommendations for hire, amount of tax money from City of Carbondale from 2013 to 2017, student demographics for current year, Darryl Cox contract, amount of Michael Shimshak contract and severance money, amount of federal funding and state funding in calendar year 2017, copy of Student Discipline Policy, Employee Discipline Policy, Equal Employment Opportunity Minority Recruitment, payment information for IASB Superintendent search, and the average salary amount for teachers.

5.32 Donations - None

6. Committee Reports 

6.1 President’s Remarks – John Major

None

6.2 Committee Reports

6.21 Public Relations Committee – None

6.22 Personnel Committee – Justin Miller

• The committee discussed the remainder of the year and next year as far as personnel.

• Working on establishing the next meeting date around the end of April or beginning of May.

6.3 District Reports

6.31 Director of Pupil Services, Zeppelyn Brewer

• Online registration dates for current students: April 23 – May 18, 2018

• Flyers will be sent home on April 23rd outlining the process

• Buildings will be open with evening hours to register April 23rd -May 4th

• Tentatively scheduling New Student enrollment on July 31st

• Zeppelyn wanted to take a moment to applaud our PBIS coaches. Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams have completed there training and the remainder of the year will be spent concentrating on Tier 3 teams. The coaches have proposed a work day towards the end of April to develop a resource guide that can be used across the district so that everyone is practicing that common language.

6.32 Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessments, Colleen Doyle-Parrott – No Report

6.33 Assistant Superintendent, Justin Miller

• All of the tax levy money has been received for the year. He will bring in the interfund loan repayments next month for all that was done back in July, August, and September.

• All (3) the FOIA requested received from the Office of the Attorney General have been answered.

• Summertime help positions will be posted for Maintenance and Clerical.

6.34 Interim Superintendent, Dr. Elizabeth Lewin

• Monthly Suspension Report were included in Board packets

• Changes for the upcoming 2018-2019 year to the TWI program due to scores of English language learners and decreasing numbers of Spanish speaking student, which does not allow the 50/50 ratio of Spanish speakers to English speakers. The sheltered English language program will be expanded to serve the Non-English learners from the existing TWI program will be served in an immersion program to continue their exposure to Spanish.

• The Orchestra program at grades 2 and 3 will be terminated starting the 2018-2019 school year to increase instructional time. The introduction of strings will begin at grade 4 making the model for stings and band identical. Carlton Smith questions why are no in school suspension for the month. He feels that data is not correct. Dr. Lewin replied the data is based on the suspension reports sent to her office.

7. Old Business - None

8 New Business

8.1 Action on Classified Personnel

8.11 Action on Classified Substitutes

Smith moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend the employment of Carl Johnson-Mayberry as a Substitute Aide for the 2017-2018 school year, pending a clear CBI.

Roll Call Vote Yes votes: Field, Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Abstained: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried

8.12 Action on Resignation

Smith moved, seconded by Connet, Recommend accepting the resignation of Kelly Mitchell, Secretary at Lewis School effective March 21, 2018.

Voice Vote Yes votes: Field, Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried

8.13 Action on Summer Employment Positions

Zaretsky moved, seconded by Smith, Recommend approving the following temporary summer work positions and workers as listed.

(2) Lawn Care workers at 400 hours, $14 per hour each 

(3) Painters, 400 hours, $14 per hour each 

(2) High School Workers, 400 hours, $10 per hour each 

Central Office Secretary Worker, 80 hours, $12 per hour 

Central Office Secretary Worker, 80 hours, $12 per hour 

Roll Call Vote Yes votes: Field, Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Abstained: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried

8.2 Action on Certified Personnel

8.21 Action on Maternity Leave

Connet moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend accepting the request of maternity leave for Eman El-Ayins, Kindergarten Teacher at Parrish School, to being on/around May 4, 2018 through the remainder of the 2017-2018 school year and returning for the 2018-2019 school year in August.

Voice Vote Yes votes: Field, Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

8.22 Action on Resignations

Zaretsky moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend accepting the resignation of Robin Yancey, Science Teacher, Angela Blumenstock, Math Teacher, Melissa Bowen, ELA Teacher, and Dr. Mariela Agrawal, ESL/SLA Teacher at Carbondale Middle School effective upon the completion of the 2017-2018 school year and Ryan May, Special Education Teacher at Carbondale Middle School effective May 18, 2018.

Voice Vote Yes votes: Field, Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

8.23 Employment of Special Assignments

Smith moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend the employment of the following Special Assignments for the 2017 – 2018 school year:

Carbondale Middle School 

Assistant Boys Track – Katie Acray

Roll Call Vote Yes votes: Field, Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

8.24 Action on Director of Pupil Services Contract

Connet moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend approving a contract extension for Zeppelyn Brewer, Director of Pupil Services effective July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021.

Roll Call Vote Yes votes: Field, Zaretsky, Major, Connet, No votes: None Abstain: Shepherd, Smith Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

8.25 Action on Principal/Assistant Principal Contracts

Field moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend approving a contract extension for the following Principals and Assistant Principals effective July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.

Jerrah Henson, Principal Kristine Uffelman, Principal Marilynn Ross, Principal Dr. LaTonya Mouzon, Assistant Principal Zena Madison, Assistant Principal Roll Call Vote Yes votes: Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Field, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

8.26 Action on Release of Non-Tenured Teachers

Field moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend the following non-tenured teachers be released at the close of the 2017-2018 school year.

Andres Larino, TWI Teacher – Lewis School Morgan Jones, Temporary 4th grade Teacher – Lewis School Andrea Martin, Temporary Special Education Teacher –CMS

Roll Call Vote Yes votes: Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Field, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

8.27 Action on Principal/Assistant Principal Assignments for 2018-2019 School Year

Smith moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend the following job assignments for Principals and Assistant Principals for the 2018-2019 school year.

Jerrah Henson, Principal at Parrish School Kristine Uffelman, Principal at Thomas School Marilynn Ross, Principal at Lewis School Dr. Carmen Williams-Bonds, Principal at Carbondale Middle School Dr. LaTonya Mouzon, Assistant Principal at Parrish School Zena Madison, Assistant Principal at Carbondale Middle School

Discussion: Gary Shepherd commented that the Board is aware that everyone is not happy but the Board is satisfied that this is a positive move in a positive direction.

Voice Vote Yes votes: Zaretsky, Major, Smith, Shepherd, Connet, Field No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

8.28 Action on Notifications of Retirement

Field moved, seconded by Smith, Recommend approving the notification from Regina Hill and Jamie Conn of their intent to retire at the end of the 2022-2023 school year and that they be placed on the 6% retirement compensation salary schedule determined by the CES95 and CEA contract.

Voice Vote Yes votes: Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Field, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

8.3 Action on Amendment to the District Calendar for the 2017-2018 school year.

Smith moved, seconded by Connet, Recommend approving to amend the current district calendar due to snow days used on January 12, January 16, January 17 and February 7 for the current school year with May 30, 2018 as the last day for student attendance and May 31, 2018 as the last Teacher Institute Day for the 2017-2018 school year.

Voice Vote Yes votes: Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Field, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

8.4 Action on Thomas Teachers’ Field Trip Request

Zaretsky moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend approving $1000 each towards Thomas School 2nd grade field trip to the St. Louis Zoo and 3rd grade field trip to the St. Louis Science Center in May 2018. A total of $2,000.

Discussion: Zaretsky asked why was there a difference between what was asked for and actually given. Dr. Lewin replied, the school will fundraise for the rest due to the field trip money already being spent.

Roll Call Vote Yes votes: Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Field, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

8.5 Action to Establish Date for Carbondale Middle School Promotion

Field moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend that the Carbondale Middle School Promotion be held on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 9:00AM

Voice Vote Yes votes: Zaretsky, Major, Connet, Field, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

9. Next Scheduled Meetings

9.1 Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Public Relations Committee Meeting CES95 Administrative Center 925 S. Giant City Road Carbondale, IL 62901 4:00 PM

Thursday, April 26, 2018 Regular Board Meeting (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) CES95 Administrative Center 6:00 PM 6:05 PM Motion and Roll Call Vote to go into Executive Session (CLOSED) for the purpose of discussing matters relating to the performance, evaluation and compensation of specific personnel, matters relating to student discipline, matters relating to collective bargaining, and matters relating to pending litigation. 7:00 PM Reconvene Regular Board Meeting Public Session (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

10 Public Comments (Name & Address of Person Speaking)

Ellis Reed – Mr. Reed asked when was the District 95 Minority Recruitment Policy Adopted? Justin Miller replied he would have to look the information up.

Emily Lyles – Emily Lyles asked was the violin program at the 2nd and 3rd grade lower levels designed for them to continue in or create an effort to expose children to it? Dr. Lewin replied, it was a number of reasons but based on scores, students need more instructional time.

11 Adjournment

Smith moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend Adjournment at 7:57PM.

Voice Vote: Yes votes: Major, Connet, Field, Zaretsky, Smith, Shepherd No votes: None Absent: Murphy Motion carried.

A regular meeting of the Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 was held on Thursday, March 22,