Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Community High School District 165 Board of Education met Feb. 17.

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 at 6:00 p.m. 

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Linda Flowers                         Christopher Swims

Wendell Pohlman (Remote)   Francis Tsung

Steven Sabens                       Julie VanWinkle

The following member was absent:  Lana Galan

Also present were:

Daniel Booth                          CCHS Strategic Planning Committee

Ray Toliver, Jr.                       Dr. Craig Davis

Ryan Thomas                        Marilyn Feldman

Ethan Graham                       David Mitchell

President Sabens declared a quorum present and the regular meeting of February 17, 2022, was called to order.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Swims, seconded by VanWinkle, to approve the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting of January 20, 2022. Roll call: Flowers, Pohlman, Sabens, Swims, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Old Business—None

Public Comments: Dr. Craig Davis expressed his dislike and concerns regarding the Board’s decision to go Masks Optional following the Temporary Restraining Order filed in Sangamon County.

Marilyn Feldman addressed the Board on behalf of Moms for America and their concern with the teaching of the Critical Race Theory.

CCHS student, David Mitchell, addressed the Board on his recent research paper on The Lack of Black Teachers in Education and the need for more recruitment of these teachers. He said in his personal experience as a black student, he found the interaction and guidance from his black teachers made him feel more comfortable and encouraged to succeed in school.

FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2021-22 FOIA requests received to date.

Payment of Bills: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Swims, to pay the remaining bills for the month of January 2022; and, those available for payment for the month of February 2022. Roll call: Pohlman, Sabens, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported on

∙End of Third Quarter

∙8th Grade Open House and Parent Night

∙National Honor Society

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Booth reported on

Quarantine and Isolation data February 5-11, 2022:

Students:

Isolation: 4

Quarantine: 5

Faculty/Staff:

Isolation: 0

Quarantine: 0

Historical Data:

January 10-23: Total number of isolations and quarantines = 144

January 24-February 4: Total number of isolations and quarantines = 41

February 5-11: Total number of isolations and quarantines = 9

First Semester Totals:

Positive Cases: 52

Quarantines: 60

Total for School Year:

Positive Cases: 190

Quarantines: 105

SRO Agreement Review Committee:

The last meeting of the committee was on January 10, 2022. The final recommendations from the committee will be shared with the Board at the March Board meeting.

Construction Updates:

The HVAC updates in wings C and D and the gymnasium will be completed February 18, 2022.

The baseball field is on schedule to be completed by March 1, 2022. The recommendations for the contract bids on the cafeteria, CTE, security entrance, boilers, and weight room/storage projects will be presented to the Board at the March Board meeting.

Love Your Heart Contest Results:

∙44 Participants

∙12 Referred for Follow-up

∙Amy Prudencio Contest Winner

Approval of Strategic Planning Committee Final Report: Mr. Booth introduced the members of the Strategic Planning Committee who were in attendance at the meeting that night. Several of the committee members commented on their work on the committee and the information and valuable insights they gain through the process.

Mr. Booth did a PowerPoint presentation on the Strategic Planning Committee Final Report for the Board.

Mr. Booth said he wanted to personally thank the committee members for all of their hard work and hours spent on the report. Superintendent Sabens thanked the committee members and expressed the Board’s appreciation for all their efforts in preparing the report.

Motion by Flowers, seconded by VanWinkle, to approve the Strategic Planning Committee Final Report as presented. First reading of the report occurred at the January 20, 2022, Board meeting. Roll call: Pohlman, Sabens, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Bids and Quotes—None

ESSER II and ESSER III Grant Expenditures: The Board received ESSER II and ESSER III Grant expenditure information in their Board packet for their review.

COVID-19 Mitigation Measures: Motion Tsung, seconded by VanWinkle, to shift to masks being optional in all indoor school spaces in line with the Return to School Plan effective February 7, 2022, but to return to mandatory masking in all indoor school spaces if the Temporary Restraining Order restraining state enforcement of universal masking in schools in Sangamon County is stayed, modified, or vacated. Roll call: Swims and Flowers voted no. Tsung, VanWinkle, Pohlman and Sabens voted yes. Motion carried.

2021-22 Mid-Year Graduates: Motion by Tsung, seconded by VanWinkle, to approve the February 17, 2022, mid-year graduation for the students as presented. Roll call: Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Flowers, Pohlman and Sabens voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2022 Board Sponsored Activities: Motion by VanWinkle, seconded by Tsung, to approve the following 2021-22 Board sponsored activities:

1. 2022 Top Ten Academic Student Recognition Program--The 2022 Top Ten Academic Student Recognition Program is on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the gym.

2. 2022 Board of Education Student Artwork Award--The Administration, on behalf of the Board of Education, will present a certificate/cash award ($200) at the Awards Night Ceremony on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the Carbondale Civic Center.

3. 2022 Graduation Ceremony--Member Julie VanWinkle will receive the Class of 2022 at the Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the SIU Banterra Center, at 3:00 p.m.

4. 2022 Retirement Reception--Retiree: Emily Goins, Special Education Teacher--Time/Place: TBD

5. 2022 Carbondale Middle School Graduation Ceremony Representatives--Member Christopher Swims and Ryan Thomas will receive the Carbondale Middle School.

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

Substitute Teacher Rate of Pay Increase: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowwers, to approve the increase in the substitute teacher daily rate of pay from $95.00 to $110.00 as presented. Roll call: VanWinkle, Flowers, Pohlman, Sabens, Swims and Tsung voted yes. Nay, motion carried.

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

a. Resignation of Peninnah Nelson (Rebound Employee) effective January 23, 2022.

b. Resignation of Jessica Broderick (Teacher Aide) effective February 7, 2022.

c. Retirement of Mark Woodside (Special Education Teacher) effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

d. Retirement of Dr. Justin Dennis (English Teacher) effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

e. Resignation of Lori Koester (School Counselor) effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year.

f. Resignation of Angie Mausey (Special Education Teacher) effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year.

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

Employment of 2021-22 Extra-Duty Personnel: Motion by Swims, seconded by Tsung, to employ the following 2021-22 extra-duty personnel as presented: Assistant Baseball Coach: Bodie Jones $1,400.00 and Garrett Marks $935.00. Roll call: Pohlman, Sabens, Swims Tsung, VanWinkle and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2021-22 Volunteers: Motion by Swims, seconded by VanWinkle, to approve the following 2021-22 Volunteers as presented:

Hailee Hinthorne: Soccer Coach Volunteer

Nicholas Pretto: Wrestling Coach Volunteer

Joshua Vargas: Fine Arts Department Volunteer

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

Executive Session: Motion by Swims, seconded by VanWinkle, to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)); and, to adjourn the Board of Education Meeting immediately following the executive session. Roll call: Sabens, Swims, Tsung, VanWinkle, Flowers, and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

The meeting recessed at 7:27 p.m. The executive session convened at 7:36 p.m. The executive session adjourned at 9:35 p.m. President Sabens stated no action was taken while in executive session.

For Your Information Items:

Spring Break: Spring Break is March 7-11, 2022.

March Board Meeting: The March Board of Education Meeting is Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.

Closing Comments—None

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.

https://www.cchs165.jacksn.k12.il.us/board_of_education/february_2022_school_board_meeting_minutes