Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Elementary School District #95 Board of Education met Nov. 10.

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 Lakeland 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. Markida Roper

Ms. Carlee Coplea

Administrators present:

Ms. Janice Pavelonis, Superintendent

Ms. Janiece Blake, Chief School Business Official

Ms. Michelle Martin, Director of Data Reports and Programs

Dr. La Tonya Mouzon, Director of Student Services

Ms. Brooke Kensler, Director of Special Education

2. EXECUTIVE SESSION 6:00 PM

Roper moved, seconded by Coplea to enter Executive Session at 6:03 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, Major, Watters, Cawthon, Roper, Coplea

No votes: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.

Executive Session adjourned at 7:02 PM.

Voice Vote:

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

No: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.

Before we get started tonight, I would like to remind everyone that we are all here to do the best we can for the kids of Carbondale. We have all been through a lot the past few years, especially the kids.

If you’ve come to comment on this board’s policies, or on our way of thinking, it is our practice to listen patiently. If there is a disagreement between us, you could be right, and you should get at least a few minutes to make your case.

What we can’t do is negotiate a labor contract in public during an open board meeting.

What we can do is ask that anyone making reference to our students, or to their families, do so only with love for them and respect for what they’ve been through.

Thank you.

3. Public Comments

Chasity Mays - Spoke regarding anti-racist education/training being offered in the district for teachers.

Nancy Maxwell - Spoke regarding the need of more teacher diversity in the district. The Black Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Diversity and Inclusion Job Fair at John A. Logan College on February 23, 2023.

Patricia Preston - Spoke regarding the importance of educating students and putting them first, the value of our teachers, and coming to a resolution on the current situations so that we can move forward.

Jennifer Liss - A 5th grade teacher, spoke regarding how taking away the retirement incentive would affect her and her family as well as all the teachers that dedicate themselves to the district every day.

4. Approval of Agenda

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

Roll Call Vote:

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.

5. Consent Agenda Items

Roper moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend approving Consent Agenda Items, 5.1 Minutes, 5.2-Financial Reports and 5.3-Communications

President’s Remarks

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Coplea, Cawthon, Roper No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.

5.1 Minutes

5.11 Regular – October 27, 2022

5.12 Executive – October 27, 2022

5.2 Financial Reports

5.21 Approval of Bills

5.22 Treasurer’s Report

5.23 Revenue Report

5.24 Expenditure Report

5.25 Activity Fund Reports

5.3 Communications

5.31 FOIA - None

5.32 Donations – None

6. Committee Reports

6.11 Communication Report

President’s Remarks – President Field gave her remarks prior to the public comments section.

6.2 Committee Reports

6.21 Behavioral Interventions Committee – None

6.22 Building and Transportation Committee – None

6.23 Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee – None

6.24 Policy Committee – None

6.25 Public Relations Committee - None

6.26 Fundraising Development Committee - None

6.3 Administrative Staff Reports

6.31 Director’s Report

• Michelle Martin, Director of Data Reports and Programs referenced the STAR assessment scores from the benchmark testing that was included in the board packet.

• A presentation of the STAR data, the State assessment data, and a look at our new Report Card will be presented at the December board meeting.

6.32 Chief School Business Official – Janiece Blake

• Tentative Tax Levy - The increase in the levy amount is 4.99% which has historically been approved by the board. This is the tentative tax levy, and the official adoption will be done at the December board meeting. The total tentative tax levy request is $15,464.399. That is a 4.99% increase over the prior year’s extension of $14,728,797.

• The Resolution Abating Taxes - This resolution is for the 2021 series bonds the district issued in August 2021 for capital projects that was secured with County Facility Sales Tax revenue. The reason for the abatement is to not charge the taxpayers for that levy but allows the use of sales tax money to pay the payment on the five year bond that is currently in year two. The final payment of the resolution will in 2026.

6.33 Superintendent – Janice Pavelonis

• The Multicultual Fair - Was held on November 9th at Carbondale Middle School. Students, Staff, and Families came out to celebrated over 30 different countries. The event was funded by a grant from the Education Foundation and community donations.

6.4 Faculty Council - Stephanie Solbrig reported on the following: Good evening,

I was able to meet with Michelle Martin on Monday, November 7. No new developments were discussed since the last board meeting, two weeks ago.

Across the district, teachers are very busy preparing midterms for 2nd quarter and making as much academic headway as possible as the holidays approach. Over the last couple weeks, teachers have been unified in their purposes, for example, diligently working with our students to create exciting exhibits for the Multicultural Festival held last night. Teachers are showing up and putting in long hours to insure the success of our students.

In some buildings, teachers and administrators are being stretched to address extreme misbehaviors such as fights, weapons, and vaping causing tensions to run high. There is concern that these behaviors are not being addressed in accordance with contract language.

With regard to special education services, the practice of pulling teachers and aides from cotaught classes could lead to litigation if parents know kids aren't getting services.

Also, a lack of substitute teachers is causing chaos in some classrooms.

Many teachers have noted that the strange schedule this week, in and out of school with Election Day and Veteran's Day, and perhaps the approaching holiday, seems to have many kids feeling out of sorts and anxious.

Abbco cleaning issues remain unresolved though teachers are documenting problem areas in the online document. Some teachers report cleaning their own rooms.

Finally, a thank you to Melody Spaulding for offering targeted training to teachers as we become more familiar with the view boards. Teachers are finding many applications for this new technology to better support students and make learning more engaging.

That concludes tonight’s report.

Thank you.

7. Old Business - None

8. New Business

8.1 Action on Classified Personnel

8.11 Action on Resignations

Roper moved, seconded by Coplea, Recommend accepting the resignation of Delora Bell, Student Supervisory Aide at Thomas School effective November

18, 2022.

Voice Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.

8.12 Employment of Paraprofessionals

Coplea moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the employment of the following Paraprofessionals effective the 2022-2023 school year pending a clear CBI.

Tracey Locke - Instructional Aide at Parrish School

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.

8.2 Action on Certified Personnel

8.21 Action on Resignations - None

8.22 Employment of CES95 Faculty - None

8.23 Employment of Special Assignments

Cawthon moved, seconded by Watters, Recommend approving the employment of the following special assignment for the 2022- 2023 school year.

Lewis School

Jessica Murphy - Elementary Chorus

Carbondale Middle School

Carissa Banks - Asst. Girls Basketball Coach

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Coplea, Cawthon, Roper No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.

8.24 Action on Maternity Leave

Roper moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend approving the request for maternity leave of Kayli Pierson to start on or around January 17, 2023 and to return on April 20, 2023.

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Coplea, Cawthon, Roper No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.

8.3 Action on Tentative Tax Levy Resolution

Coplea moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend approval of the tentative resolution to file a Tax Levy for the 2022 tax year for less than 5% of the prior year’s tax extension.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Cawthon, Roper, Coplea No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.

8.4 Action on Resolution Abating Taxes

Major moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend approval of the Resolution Abating Taxes on Series 2021 alternate revenue bonds.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Major, Watters, Cawthon, Roper, Coplea No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.

9. Next Scheduled Meetings

9.1 Thursday, December 15, 2022

Foundation Board Meeting

CES95 Lakeland Center

925 S. Giant City Rd.

Carbondale, IL 62902

5:30 PM

*Thursday, December 15, 2022

Regular Board Meeting (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

CES95 Lakeland 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)

*NOT A FOURTH THURSDAY

10. Public Comments

Andrea Stader (Retired District Teacher) - commented on the following:

• The attorney expense listed on the financial report and why Don Prosser’s firm was no longer being used.

• The retirement incentive of 6% was negotiation and in place back during her years of being a teacher with the district.

11. Adjournment

Roper moved, seconded by Cawthon, Recommend Adjournment at 7:50 PM.

Voice Vote:

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

No votes: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.