Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Community High School District 165 Board of Education met Oct. 19.

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, on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Rania Dababneh      Francis Tsung 

Linda Flowers           Julie VanWinkle 

Wendell Pohlman

The following members were absent:

Lana Galan               Christopher Swims

Also present were:

Daniel Booth             Ryan Thomas 

Ray Toliver Jr.           Ethan Graham

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Dababneh, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of September 21, 2023. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Old Business—None

Public Comments: Neophansya Robinson, of the Alpha Kapa Alpha Sorority, introduced herself to the Board on behalf of her sorority members that were present. She said they were there that evening to let the Board and Administration know they would like to volunteer at CCHS in any way that is needed. She said they would like to mentor and assist students, while also promoting their annual scholarship in the hopes of increasing more applicants in the future.

2023 IASB Distinguished Board Leader Recognition: Dr. Linda Flowers was recognized by the Illinois Association of School Boards as a 2023 Distinguished Board Leader.

FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2023-24 FOIA Requests received to date.

Payment of Bills: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Tsung, to pay the remaining bills for the month of September 2023; and, those available for payment for the month of October 2023. Roll call: Flowers, Pohlman, Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

ESSER III Grant Expenditures: The Board received an update on the ESSER III Grant expenditures.

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported on the end of the first quarter, class meetings, parent-teacher conferences, fall play and athletics.

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Booth reviewed his Superintendent’s Report for the Board:

Construction Updates 1. The Walnut Street entry interior is 90% complete. 2. The C-wing staircase is open, but the stairs need to be painted. 3. The CTE addition project was approved in September and the contracts are being signed so that work can begin. 4. Once the CTE addition project begins, the Building and Grounds Committee will meet to share future project possibilities with the Board of Education.

Principal Appreciation Week Principal Appreciation Week is October 15-21, and Principal Appreciation Day is on October 20. The Board received a copy of the press release and proclamation from the Illinois Principal’s Association and State of Illinois Proclamation from Governor Pritzker. Mr. Booth thanked Principal Ryan Thomas for his service.

Strategic Planning Progress The following updates will be given to the Board on the strategic plan:

October: Board approves updated KPI’s and Targets November: Report Card ReviewFebruary: Update the Board on progress of KPI’s and Targets. June: Share the end of year report on strategic plan progress. July: Superintendent Evaluation

September 2023 Attendance Report: The Board received a copy of the September 2023 Attendance Report.

2023-24 District Key Performance Indicators and Targets: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the 2023-24 District Key Performance Indicators and Targets as presented. Roll call: Pohlman, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Approval of Solar Panels Contract: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Pohlman, to allow the Superintendent to sign a Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract with GRP Wegman for the purchase of solar panels, pending School Board Attorney review and negotiation. Roll call: Tsung voted no. VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Pohlman voted yes. Motion carried.

Resolution to Sell not to Exceed $3,500,000 Debt Certificates for the Purchase of Solar Panels: Motion by Dababneh, seconded by Pohlman, to approve the Resolution authorizing and providing for an Installment Purchase Agreement for the purpose of paying the cost of purchasing real or personal property, or both, in and for the District, and for the issue of not to exceed $3,500,000 Debt Certificates of the District evidencing the rights to payment under said Agreement, providing for the security for and means of payment under said Agreement of said Certificates, and authorizing the sale of said Certificates to the purchaser thereof. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Meeting Recessed: The meeting recessed at 7:51 p.m.

Meeting Reconvened: The meeting reconvened at 7:55 p.m.

2022-23 Audit and Report on Shared Services or Outsourcing: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Dababneh, to accept the 2022-23 Audit as presented; and, to acknowledge the Report on Shared Services or Outsourcing contained in the Audit (on page 43) for posting on the district website. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Tsung and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2023-24 Textbook List: The Board received the 2023-24 Textbook List per Board Policy 6:210.

Rescheduling of December Board of Education Meeting: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Dababneh, to reschedule the Thursday, December 21, 2023, Board of Education meeting to Thursday, December 14, 2023. Roll call: Flowers, Pohlman, Tsung, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

FY2024 School Maintenance Grant Application: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Tsung, to submit the FY2024 School Maintenance Grant application as presented. Roll call: Pohlman, Tsung, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Resignations/Retirements—None

Employment of 2023-24 Extra- Duty/Extended-Time Personnel: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Tsung, to employ the following 2023-24 extra-duty/extended-time personnel as presented:

Extra-Duty: Drill Team Sponsor: Eli McCarty $1,085.00 Assistant Boys Basketball Coach: Greg Storm $5,000.00, Lafiet McDade: $4,000.00

Extended-Time: After School Supervision: Dawn Bassett

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

2023-24 Volunteers—None

Employment of 2023-24 Rebound Grant Personnel: Motion by Tsung, seconded by Pohlman, to employ Charmonique Rogers as a 2023-24 Rebound Parent Educator grant employee contingent upon adequate grant funding and timely receipt of those funds as presented. The position will be 37.5 Hours per Week @ $20.00 per Hour. The hours will be reduced during the summer or until adequate student enrollment is achieved. The employment period will be October 23, 2023 – July 31, 2023. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman and Tsung voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

For Your Information Items: Next Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, November 9, 2023 2023 IASB Joint Annual Conference: November 17-19, 2023

Executive Session—None

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.

https://www.cchs165.jacksn.k12.il.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=78029&pageId=47136280&portletInstanceId=586869