Carbondale Elementary School District #95 Board of Education met May 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A regular meeting of the Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 was held at 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:
Ms. Catherine Field, President
Mr. John Major, Vice President
Ms. Angela Watters, Secretary
Mr. Corey Cawthon
Ms. Carlee Coplea
Ms. Erin Connelly
Ms. Markida Roper
Administrators present:
Ms. Janice Pavelonis, Superintendent
Dr. Eric Trimberger, District Business Manager
Ms. Michelle Martin, Director of Data Reporting and Programs
Dr. LaTonya Mouzon, Director of Student Services
2. EXECUTIVE SESSION 6:04 PM
Roll Call:
Ms. Catherine Field, President
Mr. John Major, Vice President
Ms. Angela Watters, Secretary
Ms. Carlee Coplea
Mr. Corey Cawthon
Ms. Erin Connelly
Ms. Markida Roper
Roper moved, seconded by Connelly, 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. No decisions were made, and no votes were taken.
Roll Call Vote:
Yes votes: Field, Coplea, Connelly, Major, Roper, Watters, Cawthon
No votes: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
Executive Session Sine die at 7:20 PM.
Voice Vote:
Yes votes: Major, Field, Coplea, Roper, Connelly, Watters, Cawthon
No: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
Public Hearing to Adopt the Amended FY22 Budget
Dr. Eric Trimberger started the hearing at 7:26pm.
The following changes were highlighted about the final amended budget:
• Corporate Personal Property Replacement Taxes received for the year was $1.4 million.
• School Facility Sales Taxes were reduced by $50,000
• State Early Childhood Reimbursements were decreased by $93,000
The Final Amended Budget has an operating deficit of $61,974.
Approximately $400,000 in operating costs for FY-22 are being paid by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Grants that reduced the deficit listed above.
The Administration recommends that the Board adopt the final Amended Budget as presented.
There were no public comments or board comments.
The hearing ended at 7:30pm
3. Public Comments
Diana Sussman from the Carbondale Public Library explained the library agreement that will give every district 95 student a limited access library card that will allow them to check out a certain quantity books
4. Approval of Agenda
Connelly moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the Agenda.
Roll Call Vote:
Yes votes: Field, Major, Cawthon, Roper, Coplea, Watters, Connelly
No votes: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
5. Consent Agenda Items
Coplea moved, seconded by Connelly, Recommend approving Consent Agenda Items, 5.1 Minutes, 5.2-Financial Reports and 5.3-Communications
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Watters, Major, Coplea, Roper, Connelly, Cawthon
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
5.1 Minutes
5.11 Regular – April 14, 2022
5.12 Executive – April 14, 2022
5.2 Financial Reports
5.21 Approval of Bills
5.22 Treasurer’s Report
5.23 Monthly Budget Report
5.24. Activity Fund Reports
5.3 Communications
5.31 FOIA - None
5.32 Donations – None
6. Committee Reports
6.1 6.11 Communication Report
President’s Remarks – Catherine Field
This past month I was asked by the Rainbow Café to represent the Carbondale Elementary School District at a town hall-style meeting they set up, to address the concerns of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer people in our community. These folks are feeling a lot of pressure right now as legislatures across the country are passing bills making their lives harder, and school districts are refusing to teach the kids about living responsibly and lovingly in a world of all kinds of people.
Perhaps you know already that the law in Illinois, and the Illinois State guidelines we receive promote fairness for everyone in our state and in our public schools.
I was able to tell the group that the Carbondale Elementary School District is proud to support, defend, protect, accommodate, educate, and celebrate all persons no matter their sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression. And further, that our District curriculum and administrative teams have recently undergone professional development to ensure we are keeping up with the latest research and meeting the needs of our kids and their families.
It's all in our board policies, which are spelled out with pride on our website. You can look it up.
The other thing I want to mention tonight is that we have a board member leaving. Erin Connelly’s last meeting is tonight. Before she goes, I want you to know how many busy hours she gave out of an already-busy life. She had her work at SIU, her PhD studies, her family, and her church, and still managed, in the last year and a half, to run for public office, get elected, and serve faithfully on this board. We will miss Erin as she and her family move to Indiana for a new job opportunity, and we wish her the best.
Erinn Connelly was presented with a plaque for her service.
6.2 Committee Reports
6.21 Behavioral Interventions Committee – None
6.22 Building and Transportation Committee – Markida Roper
• The Building Committee met on May 17, 2022 at 5:00pm
• Representatives from GRP/Wegman joined the meeting virtually to give a presentation on installing Solar Panels at Thomas School and Lewis School through a grant they are eligible for from Illinois Solar For All. Dr. Trimberger explained the cost of adding the solar panels and the rate of payback in 8.75 years. The consensus of the board was to proceed with the solar panels. A recommendation for board approval will be given at the June board meeting
• The modular at Lewis School was unusable during the current school year and will be removed offsite sometime during the summer. Space assessments were done within the building and due to lower student enrollment and a teacher retirement, (2) classroom spaces will be available inside for the FY23 school year which is equivalent to what the modular accommodated. Administration will continue to assess the options for additional space that will be needed by FY26.
• Security Cameras are up and running both inside and outside at the middle school. During my last report, we were still waiting on the outside cameras to be installed. All Administrators and the front office have new monitors installed for viewing.
• ABBCO Contract Extension - Administration requested pricing from ABBCO for a (1) year contract extension. Dr. Trimberger to explain the cost increase due to the minimum wage increase.
• Update on Thomas Storm Drain - Administration received pricing from several vendors that ranged from $49,523 to over $150,000. The committee discussed what the quotes entailed and agreed to recommend B.C. Contracting’s bid for $49,523 to the Board at the June board meeting. The bid will correct the problem by installing all new PVC pipe and then they will reseed the lawn. The project will take 1 ½ to 2 weeks to complete.
• Summer Construction Updates - All (4) schools are getting new roofs and air units, Thomas and Parrish School parking lots will be redone, the Middle School gym floor will be redone, Thomas and Parrish will be getting conference rooms, the solar panels will be reinstalled on CMS, we all know central office is have space reconstructed within the middle school and making a BIG move in additions to other minor construction updates within each building.
• Options for Vacant Lakeland Administrative Center - The plan is that district offices/staff will be moved before the start of the 22-23 school year, but the building will continue to be in use for storage of student and employee records and as the HUB for our districts internet system for at least 1 year. The committee discussed the options of selling, donating, or leasing the property. No decisions have been made! The committee will present all the options to the Board at a later date.
• Next Committee June 7, 2022 at 5:30pm.
6.23 Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee – None
6.24 Policy Committee – None
6.25 Public Relations Committee - None
6.26 Fundraising Development Committee - Catherine Field
• The committee met on May 17, 2022 at 10:00am
• Theresa “Tessie” Ojewuyi joined the committee as a new member and was informed of the current ideas for fundraising development.
• The committee discussed hosting an informal fall mixer and a more formal spring gala as a way to develop funds in a natural cycle throughout the year. Location and dates for the events are still being determined.
• The committee is still open to accepting new members.
• Next meeting date is TBD in June.
6.3 Administrative Staff Reports
6.31 Director’s Report
• Michelle Martin - Director of Data Reporting and Programs
Consolidated District Plan - The Illinois State Board of Education requires all districts to complete a set of planning questions to meet the requirements for all twelve of the federal formula grants for the fiscal year 2023. This is the fourth year for these new requirements for grant planning. A copy of the plan was enclosed in the board member packet to review prior to approval.
My Math - The curriculum office, in collaboration with the K-5 Math Curriculum Team, performed an extensive curriculum review during the 2021-2022 school year. The curriculum team reviewed materials from a variety of publishers. The
team selected two math curriculums from McGraw-Hill for further review. The team then met with a representative from McGraw-Hill to further review these two curriculums. After this extensive review, the K-5 math curriculum team made the decision to stay with My Math which is our current math curriculum. The district will be working with McGraw-Hill to provide professional development focusing on the online components. Mrs. Martin shared this selection with Faculty Council President, Stephanie Solbrig during our collaboration meeting.
Renaissance Learning - CES #95 has used STAR 360 as an assessment tool in the district for many years. The cost of the tool is always paid through the Title I grant. This cost is above the $25,000 threshold, therefore requires board approval. Again, this year, the company has combined multiple Renaissance products with our STAR 360 subscription to allow for the district to apply a discount. I am requesting that the board approve the combined quote for all four products of $82,173.30 to be paid from the 22-23 Title I grant. These subscriptions have been bundled to allow the district to take advantage of a $6,961.05 discount. Products Include: Star 360, Lalilo, Freckle, Schoolzilla
Star Assessment Update
Upon reviewing our end of year Star data, we saw greater growth in reading compared to math. Overall, the district saw a 10% growth in students testing at the meeting and exceeding levels compared to our fall benchmark data. Taking a deeper look at our reading data, students in grade K-3 had greater gains. These grade levels have also reached or surpassed their pre-pandemic scores. There was also growth in our student groups across most grade levels. Our 8th grade students had a 9% increase in the meeting and exceeding levels. As previously mentioned, math scores have continued to be lower and growth harder to obtain. One exception to this was our growth in 3rd grade with a 21% increase in meeting and exceeding levels compared to the fall benchmark. There was also a decrease in the not meeting level by 20% for our 8th grade students. Overall, there was a 4% increase in our meeting and exceeding levels in math.
Summer Learning
Summer Learning K-5 will focus on reading & math. Summer learning at CMS will focus on credit recovery. The current summer enrollment is as follows:
Parrish - 74
Thomas - 83
Lewis - 23
Total - 180
Still working on a list of students that need to attend credit recovery at CMS.
6.32 District Business Manager – Eric Trimberger
No Report
6.33 Superintendent – Janice Pavelonis
• Expressed gratitude for the Partnership with the Carbondale Public Library.
• The 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony is Saturday, May 21st at 10am in the CMS gymnasium.
• Recognition of Retirees: Robert Patrick (27 years), Karen Pfeifer (8 years), and Alfred McGowan (26 years). Each retiree was presented a plaque for their service.
6.4 Faculty Council - Amber Ragsdale
Good evening,
Stephanie Solbrig met with Mrs. Martin on Monday, May 16. Mrs. Martin shared the curriculum materials which would be renewed and for which she would be asking the board’s approval at this meeting. These were highlighted in her report.
From across the district, teachers are busy finishing last instructional units, incorporating inventive field trips as frugally as possible, creating incentives to keep students engaged in learning, supporting students and colleagues through what can be an even more emotionally-charged time of year, and otherwise completing end-of-year tasks.
As we prepare to say our good-byes to our students, and look forward to this summer break, we appreciate timely communication about any changes for the start of next year.
In closing, we will share those teachers who experienced a showering of appreciation during Teacher Appreciation Week, are deeply grateful. In the same vein, we look forward to celebrating the retirees of the last 3 years, 15 retirees, in fact, at the Retirement Party at Buckwater, from 3-6 pm, next Wednesday, May 25.
That concludes tonight’s report, thank you.
7. Old Business OLD BUSINESS 7.1 Action on FY22 Amended Budget
Coplea moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the FY22 Amended Budget as presented.
Roll Call & Signature Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Roper, Connelly, Cawthon, Coplea, Watters
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8. New Business NEW BUSINESS 8.1 Action on Classified Personnel
8.11 Action on Resignations
Connelly moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend accepting the resignation of Bryan Tucker, Student Supervisory Aide at Thomas School effective May 6, 2022, Misha Davis, Instructional Aide at Carbondale Middle School effective April 26, 2022, Angela Hargrave, Instructional Aide at Lewis School effective June 1, 2022, David Aurand, Student Supervisory Aide at Thomas School effective the end of the 2021-2022 school year, Minnie Bandera, part-time Student Supervisory Aide at Thomas school effective the end of the 2021-2022 school year, Erica McGowan, Library Aide at Lewis School effective July 2, 2022, and Cozette Samuel, part-time Secretary at Lewis School effective July 29, 2022.
Voice Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Roper, Connelly, Cawthon, Coplea, Watters
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.12 Employment of Paraprofessionals - None
8.13 Employment of Summer Maintenance Assistants
Coplea moved, seconded by Connelly, Recommend approving the following workers for the summer maintenance assistants’ positions.
Tneesha Jefro
Korey Blythe
Adriana Stewart
Brent Jackson
Abigail Lukes
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Roper, Connelly, Cawthon, Coplea, Watters
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.14 Employment of Classified Summer School Staff
Coplea moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend the employment of the following Classified Staff for the 2022 Summer School Session:
Parrish School
Olivia Jones-Martin, Karen Humphreys, Rubie Mulholland, Courtney Adams, Kim Reveal, Shamar Woodson, and Carl Johnson-Mayberry
Thomas School
Shelly Trammell, Jazmyne James, Abigail Lukes, Angela,Congiardo, Maxine Lewis and Callie Ivy-James
Lewis School
Monecia Allen, Harold Thomas, Christopher Swims, and Leah Lemcke
Carbondale Middle School
Jackie Greer, Jonathan Gaston, Danielle Cox, Samaria Gosa, Sheridan Johnson, Leigh Taylor, Kierra Wimberly, Margaret Chambers, Alana Joines, Leatreasa Lilly-Madison,Patsy Rogers, Chasity Person
Cooks
Sharon Rawls, Kelly Stevens, Minnie Bandera, Becky Roberts, Isabel Sanchez, Sabrina Gregg, Danielle Blythe, Tneesha Jefro, Sharon Keene, Debbie, Mighell, April Elliot and Melissa Hale
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Roper, Connelly, Cawthon, Coplea, Watters
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.15 Action on Summer Technology Work Positions
Roper moved, seconded by Connelly, Recommend approving (2) temporary summer technology work positions for 300 hours at $15.00/hr.
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Roper, Connelly, Cawthon, Coplea, Watters
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.2 Action on Certified Personnel
8.21 Action on Resignations
Roper moved, seconded by Coplea, Recommend approving the resignation of Carie Furlow, ELA Teacher at Carbondale Middle School effective the end of the 2021-2022 school year, Mallory Asaturian, 1st Grade Teacher at Parrish School effective the end of the 2021-2022 school year and Heath Laughard, PE Teacher at Carbondale Middle School effective the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
Voice Vote
Yes votes: Field, Cawthon, Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.22 Employment of CES95 Faculty
Connelly moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend approving the employment of the following CES95 Faculty for the 2022-2023 school year, pending a clear CBI:
Mary Jackson - 2nd Grade Teacher at Thomas School
Tonya Kates - Kindergarten Teacher at Parrish School
Spenser Morgan - Social Science Teacher at Carbondale Middle School
Taylor Gray - 1st Grade Teacher at Parrish School
Brianna Scott - 5th Grade Teacher at Lewis School
Allison Baer - 4th Grade Teacher at Lewis School
Alicia McIntosh - Special Education Teacher at Carbondale Middle School
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Cawthon, Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.23 Employment of Chief School Business Official
Major moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend the employment of Janiece Blake as the Chief School Business Official effective July 1, 2022, pending a clear CBI.
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Cawthon, Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.24 Employment of Special Assignments - None
8.25 Employment of Summer School Faculty
Cawthon moved, seconded by Coplea, Recommend the employment of the following Faculty for the 2022 Summer School Session:
Parrish School
Maria Jessup, Juanita Drue, Deanna Crombar, Georgia Thompson, Jocelynne Edwards, Valerie Potmas, Courtney Johns, Taylor Gray, and Jennifer Burke
Thomas School
Amy Dozier, Morgan Harris, Hannah Williams, Brooke Crombar, Shetara Reed, Chassity Felton, Alexa Chamberlin and Jamie Hertter
Lewis School
Lori Opp and Megan Holland
Carbondale Middle School
Spenser Morgan, Amber Ragsdale, Melinda Elliott, Webster McGuire, Dawn Seward, Robyn Davis, Korey McKormick and Leah Hooper
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Cawthon, Coplea
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.26 Action on Special Education Teacher Posting
Coplea moved, seconded Connelly, Recommend posting a Special Education Teacher position at Parrish School due to co-taught class numbers increasing for the upcoming school year.
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Cawthon, Roper, Connelly, Coplea
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.3 Action on Partnership Agreement between Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps and Carbondale School District 95
Coplea moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend approving the partnership agreement between Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps and Carbondale School District 95 effective August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023 for 3 part-time AmeriCorps tutors for a total cost of $7650.00.
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Cawthon, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.4 Action on Interagency Working Agreement between Child & Family Connections #24 and Carbondale Elementary School District 95
Roper moved, seconded by Connelly, Recommend approving the Interagency Working Agreement between Child & Family Connections #24 and Carbondale Elementary School District 95 to work collaboratively in the early detection and treatment to persons determined eligible.
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Cawthon, Roper, Connelly, Coplea
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.5 Action on Educational Affiliation Agreement between Carbondale School District #95 and Southern Illinois University
Coplea moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the Educational Affiliation Agreement between Carbondale School District #95 and Southern Illinois University to provide internships at our facilities to qualified university students in the Communication Disorders and Science Programs within the School of Health Sciences retroactive effective April 13, 2022 and expires on April 13, 2027.
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea, Field, Cawthon
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion Passed.
8.6 Action on Intergovernmental Agreement between Carbondale Public Library Board of Trustees and Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95.
Coplea moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the intergovernmental agreement between the Carbondale Public Library Board of Trustees and Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 for the purpose of providing free limited access public library cards to district 95 students.
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea, Cawthon
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.7 Action on Tax Attorney
Coplea moved, seconded by Connelly, Recommend approving the contractual agreement to retain the law firm Smith and Amundsen at a rate not to exceed $400/hr. as a tax attorney to resolve an accounting correction between TRS and IMRF.
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea, Cawthon
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.8 Action on Consolidated District Plan
Roper moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend approving the Consolidated District Plan as presented.
Voice Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea, Cawthon
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.9 Action on Discipline Improvement Plan
Connelly moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the Discipline Improvement Plan as presented.
Voice Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea, Cawthon
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.10 Action on Pending Grievance filed on February 25, 2022
Is there a motion on Board Intervention to Review the Superintendent’s Step IV decision on the pending grievance filed on February 25, 2022, which the grievant has asked for the Board to intervene?
Major moved, seconded by Connelly to DECLINE board intervention.
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea, Cawthon
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.10.1 Action on 2022-2023 Board Meeting Schedule
Cawthon moved, seconded by Connelly, Recommend approving that the 2022- 2023 board meetings be held on the 4th Thursday of each month except for the months of November and December.
Discussion: Markida Roper informed the board she has a schedule conflict with the July and September meeting dates.
Voice Vote
Yes votes: Major,
No votes: Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea, Cawthon, Field
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion failed.
Coplea moved, seconded by Cawthon to TABLE until the June board meeting.
Voice Vote
Yes votes: Field, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea, Cawthon
No votes: Major
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.10.2 Action on K-5 Math Curriculum
Connelly moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the purchase of My Math, a K-5 math curriculum in the amount of $109,604.65 for the 2022-2023 school year.
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea, Cawthon
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
8.10.3 Action on Renaissance Learning Products
Cawthon moved, seconded by Coplea, Recommend approving the purchase of the following Renaissance Learning Products: STAR 360, Lalilo, Freckle, and Schoolzilla in the amount of $82,173.30 for the 2022-2023 school year.
Roll Call Vote
Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Roper, Connelly, Coplea, Cawthon
No votes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
9. Next Scheduled Meetings
9.1 Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Policy Committee Meeting
CES95 Administrative Center
925 South Giant City Road
Carbondale, IL 62902
5:30 PM
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Building and Transportation Committee Meeting
CES95 Administrative Center
925 South Giant City Road
Carbondale, IL 62902
5:30 PM
Thursday, June 9, 2022
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, September 1, 2022
Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee Meeting
CES95 Administrative Center
925 South Giant City Road
Carbondale, IL 62902
5:30 PM
10. Public Comments - None PUBLIC COMMENTS
11. Adjournment
Connelly moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend Adjournment at 9:03 PM.
Voice Vote:
Yes votes: Major, Field, Coplea, Watters, Connelly, Roper, Cawthon
No votes: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
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