Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Community High School District 165 Board of Education Met June 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Public Hearing: Consideration of ISBE Rule Waiver from School Code 105 ILCS 5/10-20.12(a): A Public Hearing was conducted at 6:00 p.m. in the Carbondale Community High School Cafeteria, 1301 East Walnut Street, Carbondale, Illinois, to allow community comment and discussion regarding the waiver of 105 ILCS 5/10-20.12(a) of the School Code which will allow Carbondale Community High School District 165 to charge less than 110% of the per capita tuition charge for nonresident children of full-time employees.

President Steven Sabens opened the hearing at 6:00 p.m. Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers              Christopher Swims

Lana Galan                  Francis Tsung

Wendell Pohlman        Julie VanWinkle

Steven Sabens

Also present were:

Stephen Murphy         Daniel Booth

Donna Fager              Ray C. Toliver, Jr.

Ryan Thomas

The following people were present in the audience:

CCHS Teachers: Carrie Mueller, Erik Berrey, Stacey Massie, Michelle Buchheit, Rasheeda Love, Tracie Shackles, Lena Dierks and Michael Dollins

Community Members: Dora Weaver, M. Stalls, Diane Summerlin, Yolonda Simon, Jason Svanda, Elius Reed, Jess Jobe, Chastity Mays, Jeff Bickel, Margaret Henry, Karen Krod, Catherine Field and Kathy Neely

Superintendent Stephen Murphy explained that the waiver was a request to allow nonresident children of full-time district employees to attend the district without paying tuition. President Sabens requested public comments from the audience. The following 15 people made public comments:

1. Diane Summerlin: In Favor

2. “I’m Irrelevant”: In Favor

3. Michelle Buchheit: In Favor

4. Rasheeda Love: Opposed

5. M. Stalls: Opposed

6. Stacey Massie: In Favor

7. Annie Antie: Opposed

8. Alfred McGowen: Opposed

9. Margaret Henry: Opposed

10. Lena Dierks: In Favor

11. Erik Berrey: In Favor

12. Yolanda Simon: Opposed

13. Chastity Mays: Opposed

14. Catherine Field: Opposed

Comments made in favor of the waiver were:

1. With the current teacher shortage this will improve teacher recruitment and retention.

2. Will create an environment where staff are more invested, aware, involved, and giving of their time in their place of employment.

3. Would be in align with other school districts in the area.

4. Would provide support to the teachers so could stay with their district.

5. It will also strengthen the district’s sense of school pride and community when the child of an employee chooses and wants to become a Terrier.

Comments made opposed to the waiver were:

1. Teachers should be required to live in the district they teach in.

2. Carbondale residents pay high taxes. They should not bear the financial burden for the students who do not pay tuition.

3. It is a choice where you live, and you choose the consequences when you make that decision. Nonresident teachers who want their children to attend CCHS should pay out-of-district tuition that is currently required.

4. It is a racial issue where the privileged avoid paying tuition.

5. Takes away from other resources and creates racial disparity.

Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to close the public hearing regarding the consideration of ISBE Rule Waiver from School Code 105 ILCS 5/10-20.12(a). Roll call: Flowers, Galan, Pohlman, Sabens, Swims, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

The public hearing closed at 7:04 p.m. A short recess was called.

Regular Meeting Convenes: 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 17, 2021, at 7:08 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers              Christopher Swims

Wendell Pohlman        Francis Tsung

Steven Sabens            Julie VanWinkle

Also present were:

Stephen Murphy          Ray C. Toliver, Jr.

Donna Fager               Lena Dierks

Ryan Thomas              Mike Dollins

Daniel Booth                Elius Reed

Consideration of ISBE Rule Waiver from School Code 105 ILCS 5/10-20.12(a): A motion was made by VanWinkle, and seconded by Tsung, to approve the Illinois State Board of Education Rule Waiver from School Code 105 ILCS 5/10-20.12(a), allowing students of full-time employees to attend CCHS tuition-free. Prior to the vote being taken there was discussion among the Board.

Julie VanWinkle said she was appreciative of the hearing process and the presentation. She said she was in favor of the tuition waiver as she had benefitted from at the school she is employed at. She said moving into the district is not ideal for everyone. She said since you cannot legally require teachers to live in the district the tuition waiver would be the next best thing.

Linda Flowers said she was opposed to the tuition waiver. She said she had lived and worked in the community for 36 years. She said living in the district allows teachers to better interact with their students and their families by seeing them in the local grocery stores and businesses outside of the school setting. She said the Board had a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers and what was in the best interest of the CCHS students. She said she felt the issue should have been raised during negotiations and that maybe it could have been approved that way in lieu of the raises that were approved.

Christopher Swims suggested a reduced tuition rate.

Francis Tsung said he appreciated all the comments made and respected everyone’s views. He said the Carbondale proper community is all of Southern Illinois. He said school districts in large cities such as St. Louis have school districts that consist of four city blocks and requiring their teachers to live in the district would not be realistic. He said to say that teachers using the waiver would not be paying taxes was incorrect. He said they may not pay property taxes, but they would all the other taxes, i.e. sales tax, while they are working in Carbondale and patronizing the restaurants and businesses in the community. He said he did not believe it was a privilege for a few because it would be available to everyone. He said the district has the very best faculty and we need to ensure we keep them and recruit others.

Following discussion roll call was taken to approve the motion approving the ISBE Rule Waiver from School Code 105- ILCS 5/10-20.12(1), allowing students of full-time employees to attend CCHS tuition-free.

Roll call: Pohlman, Sabens, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Members Flowers, Galan and Swims voted no. The motion carried.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Swims, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of May 20, 2021. Roll call: Pohlman, Sabens, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Flowers and Galan voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Old Business—None

Public Comments: Elius Reed addressed the Board regarding the current status of the Local 773 Union High School Apprenticeship Program and the number of CCHS students enrolled in the program and if any of them were African Americans. Mr. Murphy asked Mr. Reed to stop by his office the next day to discuss the matter further.

FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2020-21 FOIA requests received to date.

Payment of Bills: Motion by Galan, seconded by VanWinkle, to pay the remaining bills for the month of May 2021; and, those available for payment for the month of June 2021. Roll call: Sabens, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Flowers, Galan and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Mr. Murphy said the May 2021 Treasurer’s Report showed a balance of over $6.1 million in the Education Fund, compared to $4.2 million the previous year. The district annually budgets $200,000 (plus interest) to be transferred from its Working Cash Fund into the Education Fund. The $200,000 is part of the annual property tax levy. He said because of the healthy balance in the Education Fund this year, he was not recommending the Board make the annual transfers. He said this would allow the district to build up the balance in the Working Cash account, which was currently at $1.37 million, but was a $2.0 million for a number of years before being used to partially fund renovations to Frank Bleyer Field. He said nothing would prohibit the Board from transferring funds from Working Cash in the future if it so desired.

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported:

●180 students attended the Credit Recovery Program.

●100 students attended the Summer Enrichment Program.

●20 students attended the Driver Education Summer School.

●Athletic Workouts were ongoing.

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Murphy reported on an ISBE meeting held the day before where several superintendents and parents expressed their frustrations over a lack of guidance from the ISBE and the IDPA following the Governor’s announcement on June 11 that Illinois had entered Phase 5 of his Restore Illinois Plan. He said most of the public see the state as being “open” in Phase 5, but there are still restrictions in place for schools, with little guidance or communication on how/if they will be lifted. He said areas of concern included mask requirements, vaccine requirements/access to vaccine records, social distance and quarantine guidelines, and most importantly guidelines for serving lunch.

He said the district will be prepared to open fully in August on the normal school schedule. He said this may require modifications to lunch seating which the district was preparing to implement. He said he expected the IDPH, ISBE and the Governor’s office to face increasing pressure to clarify the guidelines to allow schools to open efficiently. He said the only guidance that had been received since the Governor’s announcement was the updated guidance for indoor sports. He said fully vaccinated athletes may now participate in indoor athletics activities without a mask. He said this step may signal the direction the State will go, granting more privileges/benefits for vaccinations.

He reported on the vaccination clinic CCHS hosted for the Jackson Health Department on Tuesday, June 8. He said approximately 90 people were vaccinated, a majority of them being CCHS students. He said a second clinic was scheduled for Tuesday, June 29. 2021-22 Milk and Bread Products Bids: Motion by Swims, seconded by Galan, to acknowledge receipt of the bids received for 2021-22 milk and bread products; and, to award the bids to the lowest responsible bidders, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. and Lewis Bakeries:

Milk Bid

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. .2757 1% White ½ pt.

P.O. Box 128 .2999 1% Chocolate ½ pt.

Olney, IL 62450 .2999 1% Strawberry ½ pt.

.2682 Skim ½ pt.

Bread Bid

Lewis Bakeries - Whole Grain Sandwich Bread, Per Slice $0.09 each

1220 W. Michigan Ave. - Whole Grain Hot Dog Buns, Per Bun $0.27 each

Evansville, IN 47710 - Whole Grain Hamburger Buns, Per Bun $0.27 each

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

ESSER Grant II Bid Requests: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Swims, to solicit bids for the following Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Grant II projects per the recommendation of district architect Paul Lunsford:

Cafeteria Expansion $700,000

Replace C & D Wing Roof Top Units $300,000

Replace Gym 20-ton Package Units $300,000

Replace (2) 200-ton Air Cooled Chillers $600,000

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

Member Pohlman asked when the School Social Worker position would be posted. Mr. Murphy said it would be posted the next day.

Request to Solicit Bids for Baseball Field Turf and Renovations: A motion was made by VanWinkle and seconded by Swims, to solicit bids for the baseball field turf and renovations per the recommendation of district architect Paul Lunsford in the amount of $545,600.00 as presented. Prior to the vote being taken there was discussion among the Board.

Member Tsung said to bid the whole project rather than piece meal it. He said that was a lot of money for 15 kids on the baseball team. He said it should be spent on the nonathletic kid activities such as the auditorium. He said the Board should wait until a comprehensive plan was in place.

Member VanWinkle asked why not bid it now. She said the district is fortunate that it can afford it.

Member Pohlman said she thought the project seemed piece meal also. She said $500,000.00 was a lot of money. She asked if the motion could be put off until next month.

President Sabens said the district should use the 1% sales tax to do this project unless the district wanted to Bond the project and that would be millions of dollars. He said he was putting together a Building Facilities Committee to come up with a comprehensive plan for these types of projects.

Member Tsung said the Board as a group needed to prioritize the comprehensive list and then decide if they want to bond the project or piece meal it.

Mr. Murphy said the softball fields were renovated because they were in worse shape than the baseball fields. He said the plan had always been to do the baseball fields following the softball renovations; however, plans were pushed back when COVID hit. He said it would be prudent and reasonable to bid the project now.

President Sabens said he will get the Building Facilities Committee started on work.

Following discussion, roll call was taken to approve the motion to solicit bids for the baseball field turf and renovations per the recommendation of district architect Paul Lunsford in the amount of $545,600.00 as presented.

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

ESSER Grant III Potential Projects: Mr. Murphy reviewed the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Grant III potential projects recommendation for the Board. He said the estimated allocation for CCHS District #165 will be $4,928,985.00. He said the funding will not be released for ESSER III until July 1, 2021 and will be available for obligation through September 30, 2024. He said the list of projects was based on meetings of the district’s previous Facility Improvements Committee and district architect Paul Lunsford’s understanding of the projects that the state has approved this year under ESSER II. Potential projects for consideration:

Roof Replacements $ 510,600.00

Shop/CTE Renovation/Addition            $ 817,182.00

Walnut Street Security Entry Addition   $ 215,076.00

D-Wing Science Addition                    $1,600,000.00

Add ERV’s to Corridors                        $ 450,000.00

Replace 1960 Steam Boiler                 $ 300,000.00

Replace 1960 Tunnel Piping                $ 400,000.00

Replace 2001 Addition Boiler               $ 300,000.00

                                                           $4,592,858.00

2021-22 Consolidated District Plan: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to approve the 2021-22 Consolidated District Plan as presented. Roll call: Galan, Sabens, Swims, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Members Flowers and Pohlman voted no. Motion carried.

Member Flowers requested the Curriculum Director to be present at the Board meeting next year to explain the plan.

2021-22 School Fees: Motion by Galan, seconded by VanWinkle, to approve the following school fees for the 2021-22 school year:

Student Registration: $50.00

Driver Education Fee: $45.00

Student Lunch, Regular: $3.10

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: $2.00

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

Executive Session—None

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

a. Resignation of Stephen Arvanis (Math Teacher) effective at the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year.

b. Resignation of Marialice Jenkins (Assistant Athletic Director and Girls Golf Coach) effective July 1, 2021.

c. Resignation of Trebor Mann (Rebound Math Learning Facilitator/Transition Coordinator) effective July 30, 2021.

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

Employment of 2021-22 Personnel: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Galan, to employ the following 2021-22 personnel as presented:

a. Extra-Duty/Extended-Time Personnel--Personnel as presented:

Athletic Coaches

Head Baseball: Scott Hankey $6,422.00

Head Softball: Kim Wheeler $6,422.00

Head Boys Track: Greg Storm $6,422.00

Head Girls Track: Greg Storm $6,422.00

Head Girls Soccer: Ortez Davis $6,422.00

Head Boys Soccer: Jeff Hansen $6,422.00

Head Boys Tennis: Mike Butler $6,422.00

Head Girls Tennis: Mike Butler $6,422.00

Head Wrestling: Jerry Richards $8,752.00

Boys Golf: Jared Cook $4,669.00

Cheerleading: DeAnne Miller $6,422.00

Boys Cross Country: Greg Storm $6,422.00

Girls Cross Country: Greg Storm $6,422.00

Head Football: Bryan Lee $9,924.00

Head Girls Basketball: Brad Walker $9,924.00

Assistant Boys Basketball Coach: Kobe Lewis-Moss# $4,000.00 #Pending receipt of ASEP

Band

Band Director: Greg Townsend $9,924.00

Class Sponsors

Freshman Class: Heather Webb $368.00

Sophomore Class: Caitlyn Klaybor $368.00

Senior Class: Brandi Jones $389.33 and Katie Bachman $194.67

Club Sponsors

African American History Club: Rasheeda Love $1,085.00

Art Club: Jennifer Kennedy $368.00

Aware Club: Helen Bottje $368.00

Career Bureau Club of Carbondale: Jenna Jamieson $368.00

Chess Club: Helen Bottje $368.00

French Club: Aimee Ellis $368.00

German Club: Alexandria Bassett $368.00

Global Initiative Organization Club: Justin Merriman $368.00

Gay Straight Alliance Club: Levi Biedermann $368.00

History Club: C.J. Buss $368.00

Imagination-in-Motion: Katie Bachman $368.00

Improv (Terriers Live!): Josh Taylor $368.00

Interact Rotary Club: Melisa Lopez $368.00

International Club: Jenna Jamieson $368.00

Japanese Club: Katie Vieceli $368.00

Math Club: Sandra Stanley $368.00

Science Club: Leslie Neitzer $368.00

Scrapbooking & Craft Club: Cheryl Drue $368.00

Show Choir Club: Matt Wilson $368.00

Spanish Club: Melisa Lopez $184.00 and Jane Rendon $184.00

Tabletop Gaming Club: Josh Taylor $368.00

Women in Leadership Club: Betsy Geiselman $368.00

Dance Team Coach

Gillian Prepejchal $1,085.00

Department Chairs

Career & Technical Education: Dallas Terry $4,669.00

Counseling: Lori Koester $4,669.00

English/Reading: Crystal Harsy $4,669.00

Fine Arts: Erik Berrey $4,669.00

Mathematics: Brenda Berg $4,669.00 

Physical Well Being/Health/Driver Education: Kim Wheeler $2,334.50 and Michelle Thomas $2,334.50

Science: Lena Dierks $4,669.00

Social Studies: Bryan Lee $4,669.00

Special Education: Jessica Pyatt $4,669.00

World Languages: Arnold Taylor $4,669.00

Extra-Curricular Events Director

Brandi Jones $1,800.00

Dallas Terry $850.00

Rebecca Cissel $750.00

Family Career & Community Leaders of America Sponsor

Sandra Jordan $542.50

Rasheeda Love $542.50

Future Business Leaders of America Sponsor

Christi McGee $1,085.00

Future Farmers of America Sponsor

Michelle Buchheit $2,386.00

Key Club Sponsor

Rachel Peters $2,334.66

Heather Webb $1,167.34

Minority Student Advisory Council Sponsor

Kameilah Amaya-Allen $813.75

Matt Wilson $271.25

Model United Nations/Youth & Government Sponsor

Dawn Bassett $2,438.00

National Honor Society Sponsor

Tracie Shackles $584.00

Robotics Sponsor

Dallas Terry $1,085.00

Scholar Bowl Sponsor

Sharon Lorinskas $3,890.66

Justin Merriman $1,945.34

Skills USA Sponsor

Dallas Terry $1,750.50

Don Moberley $875.25

Melanie Nelson $875.25

Speech Team

Speech Team Coach: Alexandria Bassett $3,211.00 and Vanessa Sneed $3,211.00

Assistant Speech Team Coach: Dawn Taylor $3,112.66 and Matt Wilson $1,556.34

Student Council Sponsor

Brandi Jones $2,625.50

Mike Butler $876.50

Terrier Times Newspaper Sponsor

Chris Apple $875.00

Lindsey Sears $875.00

Theatre (2 Plays)

Play I—Assistant Theatre Director: Levi Biederman $542.50 and Erik Berrey $542.50

Play I—Assistant Theatre Director: Clint Mifflin $542.50 and Josh Taylor $542.50

Play II—Assistant Theatre Director: Levi Biederman $542.50 and Erik Berrey $542.50

Play II—Assistant Theatre Director: Clint Mifflin $542.50 and Josh Taylor $542.50

Title I Coordinator

Terri Goodin $4,669.00

Vocal Music Director

Katrina Wood $2,625.00

Wellness Coordinator

Kim Wheeler $1,167.34

C.J. Buss $1,167.33

Stacey Massie $1,167.33

World Youth in Science & Engineering/Math Team Sponsor

Jason Perry $1,828.50

Mike Dollins $609.50

Yearbook Sponsor

Brandi Jones $9,924.00

Extended-Time Positions

Counseling

Registration .50-Month: Lori Koester

Registration .50-Month: Krista Antrim

Registration .50-Month: Caitlin Klaybor

Registration .50-Month: Lyndsey Walls

Registration .50-Month: Brenda Krutsinger

Driver Education Behind-the-Wheel Instruction ($33.00/Hour) Kim Wheeler, Troy Barton, Mike Butler, Jeff Hanson and Greg Storm

Library

Media Coordinator .50-Month: Dawn Taylor

Supervision

Before School: Mike Dollins

After School: Mike Dollins

Vocational Program

Coordinator .50-Month: Dallas Terry

Academic Support Overload Section – 1/6-time

Jessica Pyatt $12,895.50

b. Teacher Aide Personnel--Personnel as presented at the rate of $13.80 per hour: Margarete Biedermann and Kobe Lewis-Moss

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

Amend Dean of Students 2021-22 Contract: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to amend the 2021-22 contract for the Dean of Students as presented. Roll call: Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Flowers, Galan, Pohlman and Sabens voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2021-22 Volunteers—None

Stephen Murphy Recognition: On behalf of the Board, President Sabens thanked Stephen Murphy for his 19 years of service to the district. Mr. Murphy has served as a Science Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal and Superintendent.

July Board Meeting: The July Board of Education meeting will be Thursday, July 15, 2021.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.