Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Elementary School District #95 Board of Education met June 29.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A special meeting of the Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 was held at 5:00 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. Markida Roper

Administrators present:

Janice Pavelonis, Superintendent

2. Public Comments

Amber Ragsdale - President of Carbondale Education Association/Member of CEA Negotiation Team commented on the following:

We are very disappointed in the way negotiations started off. We met with the board representatives on June 16th. At that time, we were shocked to discover that the board was proposing to freeze our pay and get rid of our salary schedule at a time when inflation is at an all time high.

Districts in surrounding areas are getting substantial raises. Mr. Trimberger has stated publicly that we were in a good place with our finances. Also, during covid a lot of area districts used the state funds allocated for covid related expenses to compensate their teachers during an unprecedented teaching situation. We did not ask for money then even though district 95 teachers went above and beyond what other area schools did to provide quality live instructions and support the social emotional needs of our students.

In light of these fact, we feel it is grossly insulting to try and freeze our pay, drastically reduce our retirement benefits, and refuse to address or make any effort to improve working conditions and learning environments. High quality teachers are attracted to our district because of the benefits; however, they often leave after a short period of time due to the stress caused by the working environment.

The board’s initial proposal caused us to immediately call for federal mediation. If the board continues on this path, it will likely result in a strike that the teachers do not want but feel compelled to engage in due to the working conditions and lack of respect the administration demonstrates day after day in its actions.

There have been recent rumors in the community about consolidation with the high school, and that many of the recent decisions made by District 95 are due to the fact that consolidation is the end goal. To be clear, CEA adamantly opposes any talk of consolidation as it would lessen black, minority, and Carbondale parents from having a voice in the administration of the elementary schools. If these rumors of possible consolidation are true, and the recent proposal from the board is a reflection of said rumors, that is having a hidden agenda and not bargaining in good faith. This behavior and your proposal shows us and the entire community exactly how little you value your teachers. 

3. Approval of Agenda 

Roper moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend approving the Agenda.

Roll Call Vote: 

Yes votes: Field, Major, Roper, Cawthon, Watters, Coplea 

No votes: None 

Absent: None 

Motion carried. 

4. Consent Agenda Items - None 

5. Committee Reports - None 

6. Old Business - None  

7. New Business - None 

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION 5:04 PM 

Roll Call: 

Ms. Catherine Field, President 

Mr. John Major, Vice President 

Ms. Angela Secretary 

Ms. Carlee Coplea 

Mr. Corey Cawthon 

Ms. Markida Roper 

Cawthon moved, seconded by Roper to enter Executive Session at 5:04 PM for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the open board member vacancy. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Yes votes: Field, Major, Roper, Cawthon, Watters, Coplea 

No votes: None 

Absent: None 

Motion carried. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive Session adjourned at 7:12 PM. 

Voice Vote: 

Yes votes: Major, Field, Roper, Cawthon, Watters, Coplea 

No: None 

Absent: None 

Motion carried. 

8. Next Scheduled Meetings 

8.1 Tuesday, July 12, 2022  

Policy Committee Meeting  

CES95 Administrative Center 

925 S. Giant City Road 

Carbondale, IL 62902 

10:00 AM  

Wednesday, July 13, 2022  

Special Board Meeting  

CES95 Administrative Center 

925 S. Giant City Road 

Carbondale, IL 62902 

5:00 PM  

Thursday, July 28, 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)  

10. Public Comments - None PUBLIC COMMENTS  

11. Adjournment 

Roper moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend Adjournment at 7:14 PM. 

Voice Vote: 

Yes votes: Major, Field, Cawthon, Watters, Roper, Coplea 

No votes: None 

Absent: None 

Motion carried. 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N7wHk0rA5AMIfeHzMLvSwoUZBD7cmpPa