Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Elementary School District #95 Board of Education met July 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

1. Roll Call:

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Mr. John Major, President

Mr. Carlton Smith, Vice President

Ms. Catherine Field

Ms. Erinn Murphy

Ms. Natasha Zaretsky

Mr. Gary Shepherd

Administrators present:

Mr. Daniel Booth, Superintendent

Mr. Justin M. Miller, Assistant Superintendent

Ms. Janice Pavelonis, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Ms. Zeppelyn Brewer, Director of Pupil Services

ROLL CALL

2. EXECUTIVE SESSION 6:00 PM

Roll Call:

Mr. John Major, President

Mr. Carlton Smith, Vice President

Ms. Catherine Field

Ms. Erinn Murpy

Ms. Natasha Zaretsky

Mr. Gary Shepherd

Smith moved, seconded by Zaretskyt, to enter Executive Session at 6:02 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: Field, Major, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No votes: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

Executive Session adjourned at 7:03 PM.

Roll Call Vote:

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion carried.

3. Public Comments (Audio is available on the district website)

Rebecca Talley – A member of the Southern Illinois Immigrant Rights Project.

Spoke regarding the Bi-Lingual program in the district. She suggested that the board would continue the two-way immersion program with a renewed commitment to structure and support what’s necessary for the success of the program. However regardless of the decision there are community members that are in support of the district for Bi-Lingual education in the future.

Hopefully in the future feedback from the parents will be solicited before making final decisions regarding their children’s education. Ms. Talley presented the following questions:

What is the structure of the Sheltered English classrooms?

Will there be Bi-Lingual aides available in all Sheltered English classrooms?

What are the expected ratios of students to teachers and aides?

What amount of time will aides be in the classroom per day?

Will English learners also receive instruction in Spanish in core subjects ie.

Mathematics?

How will the district plan to monitor enrollment to comply with the requirements of Bi-Lingual education?

Mr. Booth asked Ms. Talley to give her questions to Ms. Pavelonis and assured her they would be answered during the meeting with the English Languages Learners on Sunday.

Scott Comporato – Mr. Comporato’s concern is possible bus and transportation issues. Wanted to hear from the Board what steps are being taking to avoid the issue that happened last year.

Mr. Major replied that a transportation meeting was held to address all problems. The manager and head guy from Durham was present. We plan to stay on top of things.

Mr. Comporato replied the problem did not solely lie on Durham.

Ms. Murphy asked Mr. Miller to elaborate on the meeting. Mr. Miller stated all the leadership from Durham were present at the meeting and the issues were addressed and starting on August 6, dry runs of the routes are going to be done. Making sure each student is accounted for that needs a bus based on the information entered in our database. A new program is being implemented to generate and monitor routes.

Erinn Murphy added some positives that the bus company staff is better in number than last year and the pay has increased. It has been stressed that we want the busing to work effectively on day 1.

Mr. Miller stated the bus company is hiring drivers but it is a 6 week process from the time hired until a driver is released on their own pending everything is clear. Drivers will be pulled from other areas to help with routes at the beginning of the school year and to train. The bus company will be at the transportation committee meeting to give an update on August 16th.

4. Approval of Agenda

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

Roll Call Vote:

Yes votes: Field, Major, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No votes: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

5, Consent Agenda Items

Smith moved, seconded by Murphy, Recommend approving Consent Agenda

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

Discussion: Natasha Zaretsky pointed out a typo on the June 28 th meeting that she 2nd the adjournment, but she was absent during that meeting. The correction has been noted.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Major, Murphy, Smith, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No votes: None

Abstain:

Absent: Connet

Motion carried

5.1 5.11 Special – June 21, 2018

5.12 Regular – June 26, 2018

5.13 Executive – June 26,2018

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 – 6/27/18 Aldo D. Migone, Maria Lourdes Taylor and Rebecca Tally, requesting 38 separate items for documents concerning the TWI Program.

6/29/18 MALDEF Chicago, requesting 12 separate items for documents concerning the TWI Program.

5.32 Donations – None

6. Committee Reports 6.1 President’s Remarks – John Major

 Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Division Meeting at Carbondale High School

 The 2018 Joint Annual Conference is November 16-18, 2018 in Chicago, IL. Registration is now open. Please let Jerri know if you are planning to attend.

 The Welcome Back Breakfast is Monday, August 13 th at

8:00am at CMS.

6.2 Committee Reports

6.21 Public Relations Committee – None

6.22 Personnel Committee – Justin Miller

 Discussed Open Positions

 New Hires for tonight’s recommendation

 Next meeting TBD

6.23 Policy Committee – None

6.24 Building and Transportation Committee – Justin Miller

 Temporary Classroom

 Transportation request – Special request for a handicap parent that was in a 1-mile radius from the school was granted for the student due to the hardship on the parent.

Erinn Murphy questioned if the 1/2-mile radius can be amended by the Board or Transportation Committee? Mr. Miller replied due to all the factors that would have to be considered you would start with the Transportation Committee.

Mr. Booth informed the grandparent of the student for the special transportation request that their request was granted and she would be notified of the details.

6.3 District Reports

6.31 Director of Pupil Services, Zeppelyn Brewer

 Distributed a handout to the Board regarding the RtI Data based on the presentation of the MTSS Guidebook for Parents and Teachers at last months meeting.

 Ensuring the building leader is the facilitator to review data.

 Data is reviewed monthly by a problem solving team.

 The past year focus was academics, before this year Tier 2 data was not put into the student information system.

 Next year the focus will be on behavioral and SES, the SIS is working on a more efficient way to input PBIS data to ensure we are capturing students.

Carlton Smith voiced his consistent concern about students in Tier 3 and if they are receiving their services. Zeppelyn pointed out in the handout the percentages of students that are receiving support/services at each school.

The goal is to provide more supports in Tier 1 so that students can stay within their general education setting. Mr. Smith wanted a Yes or No response to his question regarding students receiving their services.

Zeppelyn replied…Yes.

6.32 Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessments, Janice Pavelonis

 Talked about her assessment of the data she has reviewed and feedback she has received.

 Presented some plans and goals to improve the culture of our district, start the healings process with staff, building trust and the equity of growing our students.

 Upcoming meetings with Principals and Faculty Council

 Explained the ESSA Handout distributed to the Board.

Mr. Booth continued the explanation of ESSA and the Illinois Balanced Accountability Act. The next step for schools is to assess what we are good at and what we need to work on.

6.33 Assistant Superintendent, Justin Miller

 Update on Temporary Classroom – Buildings should be set August 10 th – August 13 th.

 Update on Summer Projects – Painting and Landscaping at CMS

 Annual Audit begins August 13 th – Auditors will be onsite for 1 week

 Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Grant at Parrish & Thomas – Position Notice

6.34 Superintendent, Daniel Booth

 Update on the Administrative Team – Formed a Cabinet full of District Level Admin including the Director of Communications.

 Discussion on individual roles in the district and the vision.

 Clear Communication in their administrative roles.

 (4) parts of the vision: Loving Kids (giving them what they need), Good/Solid Curriculum, Good Practice in the Classroom, Communicating well.

 Building/Facility Walk through.

 Pre-K Funding Update – Requested $650,000 in a grant. The district was granted $392,000. The biggest impact on the grant will be transportation.

Transportation is a minimal cost of $125,000. The Pre-K program will add (2) Full time days and (2) ½ days that will serve about 160 students.

6.4 Faculty Council – Jennifer Hartlieb

Thank you Mr. Booth and The Board for valuing the input of the Faculty Council enough to put us on the agenda. The next Faculty Council Meeting is Friday, August 3 rd at 1:00pm. They look forward to working with Janice to meet the quality of instruction for all students in District 95.

7. Old Business - None 

8 New Business 

8.1 Action on Classified Personnel

8.11 Action on Cook’s Helper Position

Smith moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend approving a Cook’s Helper position for the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Grant at both Parrish and Thomas School.

Roll Call Vote

Discussion: Gary Shepherd asked is this locally grown produce?

Mr. Miller replied, yes we try to get as much locally as we can.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.12 Smith moved, seconded by Shepherd, Employment of Student Supervisor Aides

Recommend the employment of Tina Aurand and Destiny

Merriweather as Student Supervisor Aides, effective the 2018-2019 school year, pending a clear CBI.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.13 Employment of School Secretary

Murphy moved, seconded by Smith, Recommend the employment of Catherine Lewis as a School Secretary at Thomas School effective the 2018-2019 school year, pending a clear CBI.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.14 Employment of Special Education Aides

Shepherd moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend the employment of Jovan Williamson as an EOC Aide and Holly Erwin as an Instructional Aide at Lewis School, effective the 2018-2019 school year, pending a clear CBI.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.15 Employment of Pre-K Instructional Aide

Murphy moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend the employment of Olivia Jones-Martin as a Pre-K Instructional Aide at Parrish School, effective the 2018-2019 school year, pending a clear

CBI.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.16 Employment of Bi-Lingual Paraprofessional

Smith moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend the employment of Abigail Lukes as a Bi-Lingual Paraprofessional effective the 2018-2019 school year, pending a clear CBI.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.17 Employment of Technology Paraprofessional

Murphy moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend the employment of Nicholas Nigro as the Technology Paraprofessional at Parrish and Thomas Schools, effective the 2018-2019 school year, pending a clear CBI.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.18 Action on Resignations

Zaretsky moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend accepting the resignation of Erin Nunley as an EOC Aide at Parrish School effective July 24, 2018.

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.2 Action on Certified Personnel

8.21 Employment of Certified Teachers

Field moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend the employment of the following Certified teaching staff effective the 2018-2019 school year, pending a clear CBI.

Sonya Thompson – 2 nd Grade Teacher at Thomas School

Brooke Crombar – 3 rd Grade Teacher at Thomas School

Brittany Allgaier – 3 rd Grade Teacher at Thomas School

Aimee Schaaf – Special Education Teacher at Lewis School

Yvonne Windings – Science Teacher at Carbondale Middle School

Zita Ryan – ELA Teacher at Carbondale Middle School

Kim Swain – ELA Teacher at Carbondale Middle School

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.22 Action on Notification of Retirement

Zaretsky moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend approving the notification from Cecile McCarron of her intent to retire at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.23 Action on Resignations

Murphy moved, seconded by Smith, Recommend accepting the resignation of Brittney Bell as a 3 rd Grade Teacher at Thomas School and Kristal Deming as a Math Teacher at Carbondale Middle School effective the end of the 2017-2018 school year.

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.24 Action on Maternity Leave

Zaretsky moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend accepting the request of maternity leave for Jerrah Henson, Principal at Parrish School, to begin on/around August 18, 2018 and last through January 7, 2019.

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.25 Employment of Temporary Administrative Liaison for Parrish School

Smith moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend the temporary employment of Leatha Lindsey as Administrative Liaison during the maternity leave of the Parrish School Principal.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.26 Employment of Dean of Students

Shepherd moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend the employment of Brooke Kensler as Dean of Students at Carbondale Middle School, effective the 2018-2019 school year, pending a clear CBI.

Discussion: The Dean of Students will be in charge of the 6 th grade downstairs from a standpoint of discipline and as a team. The Assistant Principal will be in charge of the 7 th and 8 th grade upstairs.

The Dean of Students will have an office in the downstairs hallway and the Assistant Principal will have an office upstairs. The Principal will be located in the school office.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.27 Employment of Special Assignments

Smith moved, seconded by Shepherd, Recommend the employment of the following Special Assignments for the 2018-2019 school year.

Parrish School

(K) Science Coordinator – Cecile McCarron

Conservation Kids – Cecile McCarron

Thomas School

Science Coordinator – Amy Dozier

Lewis School

Science Coordinator – Jennifer Liss

Carbondale Middle School

Assistant Girls Softball Coach – Kaylan Talley

Head Boys Baseball Coach – Joseph Carter

Assistant Boys Baseball Coach – Ashley Burgener

Head Girls Track Coach – Brent Jackson

Assistant Boys Track Coach – Heath Laughard

Middle School Yearbook Sponsor – Amber Ragsdale

Science Department Team Leader – Stephanie Rushing

Math Department Team Leader – Heather Melton

Student Council – Alfred McGowan

Head Girls Basketball Coach – Alfred McGowan

Conservation Cats – Amber Ragsdale

Cheerleading Sponsor – Angela Hargrove

Student Council – Paula Siefert

Instrumental Music – Shadi Frick

Math Counts – Ashley Burgener

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Major, Murphy, Smith, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No votes: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.3 Action on PERA Committee

Murphy moved, seconded by Smith, Recommend approving the assignment of Janice Pavelonis, Zeppelyn Brewer, Kristine Uffelman, and Daniel Booth to serve as members of the PERA Committee and Carmen Williams-Bonds as an alternate member effective the 2018-2019 school year.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Major, Murphy, Smith, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No votes: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.4 Action on Surplus Lists

Murphy moved, seconded by Smith, Recommend approving the surplus list as presented.

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Field, Major, Murphy, Smith, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No votes: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.5 Action on Interfund Loan from Working Cash Fund to the Tort Fund 

Shepherd moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend approving an Interfund Loan from the Working Cash Fund to the Tort Fund in the amount of $200,000.

Roll Call & Signature Vote

Yes votes: Field, Major, Murphy, Smith, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No votes: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

8.6 Action on Immersion Classrooms at Parrish, Thomas and Lewis Schools

Smith moved, seconded by Zaretsky, Recommend terminating the Immersion Classrooms at Parrish, Thomas and Lewis Schools for the 2018-2019 school year and placing English-speaking students into regular education classrooms and placing all English Learning students into Shelter English education classrooms

Discussion: Gary Shepherd commented that he hopes the district looks at having a Bi-Lingual program in the future.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Major, Murphy, Smith, Zaretsky

No votes: None

Abstain: Shepherd

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

9. Next Scheduled Meetings

9.1 Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Public Relations Committee Meeting

CES95 Administrative Center

925 South Giant City Road

Carbondale, IL  62902

4:00 PM

Tuesday, August 7, 2018 (Moved from August 14th)

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)

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Building and Transportation Committee Meeting

CES95 Administrative Center

925 South Giant City Road

Carbondale, IL  62902

4:00 PM

10 Public Comments - Due to technical difficulties with the recording equipment, Public Comments were unable to be transcribed or uploaded to the website.

Tana Nikolic – Requested that Mr. Booth and Ms. Pavelonis meet with the teachers that were in the Bi-Lingual program regarding their assignments before school starts.

Ms. Nikolic directed the following question to Mr. Booth: In reference to the meeting held about the Bi-Lingual program at district office, which parents did you speak to? Mr. Booth replied, Everyone that this change affects was invited to the meeting, including you and in addition he will also meet with parents at the church on July 29th.

Ellis Reed – Commented/Questioned the monthly amount spent on payroll, the construction cost of the temporary buildings, and how do you become a substitute teacher and what is the pay.

Charlie Howell – Recommended using retired SIUC professors to assist with an after school Bi-Lingual program.

Aldo Migone - Commented on how was one decision made about the TWI program under Dr. Lewin’s administration without a Board vote and now, the recommendation is to eliminate the program under a new superintendent and the Board is making a decision.

11 Adjournment

Shepherd moved, seconded by Smith, Recommend Adjournment at 9:23 PM.

Voice Vote:

Yes votes: Major, Field, Smith, Murphy, Zaretsky, Shepherd

No votes: None

Absent: Connet

Motion carried.

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