Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Elementary School District #95 Board of Education met Feb. 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 was held on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 6:00 PM at The John Major Learning Center, 1150 E. Grand Avenue, Carbondale, IL 62901.

1. Roll Call:

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Ms. Catherine Field, President

Ms. Markida Roper, Vice President

Mr. Corey Cawthon, Secretary

Ms. Imani McHenry

Ms. Stacye Saunders

Ms. Aimee Wigfall

Ms. Tarnisha Green

Administrators present:

Ms. Janice Pavelonis, Superintendent

Ms. Janiece Blake, Chief School Business Official

Ms. Michelle Martin, Director of Data Reporting and Programs

Ms. Brooke Kensler, Director of Special Education

2. EXECUTIVE SESSION 6:02 PM

Roll Call:

Ms. Catherine Field, President

Ms. Markida Roper, Vice President

Mr. Corey Cawthon, Secretary

Ms. Imani McHenry

Ms. Stacye Saunders

Ms. Aimee Wigfall (arrived at 6:08pm)

Ms. Tarnisha Green

Wigfall moved, seconded by McHenry to enter Executive Session at 6:02 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, Saunders, Roper, McHenry, Cawthon, Wigfall

No votes: None

Absent: Green

Motion carried.

Sine die Executive Session at 7:17 PM.

Voice Vote:

Yes votes: Saunders, Field, McHenry, Roper, Wigfall, Green, Cawthon

No: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

3. Public Comments

John Lamb – Expressed his concern regarding lack of communication from Lewis School regarding his fiancé’s child when there are behavior issues.

4. Approval of Agenda

Saunders moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approving the Agenda.

Roll Call Vote:

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Cawthon, Green, Wigfall, McHenry, Roper 

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

5. Consent Agenda Items

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

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Roper, Green, Wigfall, McHenry, Cawthon

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

5.1 Minutes

5.11 Regular – January 25, 2024

5.12 Executive – January 25, 2024

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 

6.1 6.11 Communication Report

President’s Remarks – Catherine Field

No Remarks

6.2 Committee Reports

6.21 Behavioral Interventions Committee – No Report

6.22 Building and Transportation Committee – No Report

6.23 Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee – No Report

6.24 Policy Committee –No Report

6.25 Public Relations Committee - No Report

6.26 Fundraising Development Committee - No Report

6.3 Administrative Staff Reports

6.31 Director of Data Reporting and Programs – Michelle Martin

Strategic Plan Score Card

Review Goal 1 Data

Illinois Assessment of Readiness will not be updated until we receive test scores for the current year which is usually in early summer. However, you can see that we are on track to meet our Star growth targets.

Review Goal 2 Data

During the first half of the school year, we were able to decrease the percent of students that were chronically absent. Chronic absenteeism is missing 10% or more of the school year regardless of reason and is an indicator included in our summative designation. Chronically truant is missing 5% or more of the school year without a valid reason. I am still working on how to pull this data in our new system and hope to be able to update soon.

Star Winter Benchmark

In your board packet you have a report showing Star proficiency data by grade level. This is the same report you saw in the fall but now includes winter benchmark data. If you look at the Reading Benchmark Summary you will see the percent of students at each proficiency level. The final column includes a summary of the growth in proficiency levels for that grade. Any change of 3% or high is considered good progress. As you can see many grades levels had a greater than 3% increase in meet/exceed level. The next page is the Math Benchmark Summary report which shows the same information for our Star math assessment. Although there was not much change in the meet/exceed level many students did move out of the not meeting level.

5 Essentials Survey

The survey is open. Please spread the word to other parents. We would love to have a 20% parent completion rate. This is needed to get the parent report from the survey.

6.32 Superintendent – Janice Pavelonis

• District Black History Program – February 29th at 6:00pm in the CMS Commons.

• District 95 PTO – Attended an Executive Board Meeting. Shout Out for the impact they are making in the district. Superintendent Pavelonis invited the committee to attend the April Board Meeting to be recognized.

• Boys and Girls Club of Southern Illinois Update:

• Allan Brostoff from the National Organization is in charge of the Midwest area. He is working with the clubs Board of Directors to get the club back up and running.

• Space has been acquired at the First United Methodist Church starting in June.

• Currently looking to hire an Executive Director.

• The National CEO is in search of an accounting firm to handle the finances.

• A partnership with the district will start with a small group of kids.

6.4 Faculty Council – No Report

7. Old Business

7.1 Saunders moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approving the Second Reading of Press Policies 113: Review and Monitoring

4:30 Revenue and Investments

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Roper, Green, Wigfall, McHenry, Cawthon

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

7.2 Wigfall moved, second by Saunders, Recommend approving the Second Reading of Press Policies 113: Draft Updates

2:20 Powers and Duties of the School Board; Indemnification

2:120 Board Member Development

2:200 Types of School Board Meetings

2:220 School Board Meeting Procedure

4:10 Fiscal and Business Management

4:60 Purchases and Contracts

4:130 Free and Reduced-Price Food Services

4:160 Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds

5:30 Hiring Process and Criteria

5:190 Teacher Qualifications

5:200 Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal

5:210 Resignations

5:220 Substitute Teachers

5:250 Leaves of Absence (Answer Required)

5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves

6:15 School Accountability

6:30 Organization of Instruction

6:50 School Wellness

6:60 Curriculum Content

6:230 Library Media Program (Answer Required)

7:50 School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools

7:60 Residence (Answer Required)

7:70 Attendance and Truancy

7:160 Student Appearance

7:190 Student Behavior (Answer Required)

7:270 Administering Medicines to Students (Answer Required)

7:285 Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program

7:290 Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention

8:30 Visitors to and Conduct on School Property

Discussion: On Policy 7:60, Superintendent Pavelonis explained the new law that allows districts to waive tuition for employees that live out of district but, want their kids to attend in the district that they work. The policy committee recommended not to implement this option.

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Roper, Green, Wigfall, McHenry, Cawthon

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8. New Business 

8.1 Action on Classified Personnel

8.11 Action on Resignations

Saunders moved, seconded by Green, Recommend approving the resignation of Emma Staley, Instructional Aide at Parrish School effective February 2, 2024.

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Roper, Cawthon, Green, Wigfall, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.12 Employment of Paraprofessionals

Wigfall moved, seconded by Green, Recommend the employment of the following Paraprofessionals for the 2023-2024 school year pending a clear CBI.

Jnae Williams – EOC Aide at Lewis School retroactive effective February 5, 2024

Cynthia Green – Instructional Aide at Carbondale Middle School pending licensure retroactive effective February 8, 2024.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Roper, Cawthon, Green, Wigfall, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.13 Employment of Cook’s Helper

Roper moved, seconded by Saunders, Recommend the employment of April Giroux as a Cook’s Helper at Carbondale Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year, pending a clear CBI.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Roper, Cawthon, Green, Wigfall, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.14 Action on Non-Certified Salary Increase

Wigfall moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the non-certified staff increase of 4.5% based on the staff salary schedule for the following positions retroactive effective July 1, 2023:

Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent

Director of Food Services

Director of Maintenance

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Roper, Cawthon, Green, Wigfall, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.2 Action on Certified Personnel

8.21 Action on Resignation - None

8.22 Employment of CES95 Faculty - None

8.23 Employment of Special Assignments

Wigfall moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the employment of the following special assignments for the 2023- 2024 school year.

Carbondale Middle School

Caleb Cobb – Head Boys Track Coach

Sierra Sherrill – Assistant Girls Volleyball Coach

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Roper, Cawthon, Green, Wigfall, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.24 Employment of After School Tutors

Green moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend the employment of the following certified tutor for the after school program for the 2023-2024 school year.

Meteicha Green – Carbondale Middle School

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Roper, Cawthon, Green, Wigfall, McHenry 

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.25 Action on Revised Notification of Retirement

Saunders moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approving the revised retire notification from Jennifer Liss to work and additional year and retire effective the end of the 2028-2029 school year and to be placed on the retirement compensation salary schedule determined by the CES95 and CEA Contract effective the 2024-2025 school year:

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Wigfall, Roper, McHenry, Green, Cawthon

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.3 Action on Beta Club Field Trip

Wigfall moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the overnight field trip for the Beta Club to attend the Beta Club Convention in Springfield, IL March 4 - March 6, 2024.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Cawthon, Saunders, Wigfall, Roper, McHenry, Green

No votes: Field

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.4 Action on Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Board of Education and Carbondale Educational Support

Professionals Association

Green moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approval of the tentative collective bargaining agreement between the Board of

Education and the Carbondale Educational Support Professionals Association negotiated by the Board’s negotiation team, including the language and financial terms tentatively agreed upon by the parties’ negotiation teams and authorization for the Board

President and Secretary to execute the agreement on behalf of the Board of Education upon compilation of the document in final form as approved by the Board’s counsel as to form and substance.

Discussion: Leatreasa Lilly-Madison thanked everyone for their time and that the union is very happy with the agreement.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Wigfall, Roper, Cawthon, McHenry, Green

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.5 Action on Memorandum of Understanding between Carbondale Elementary School District and Stress & Trauma Treatment Center

Saunders moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the MOU between Carbondale Elementary School District #95 and Stress & Trauma Treatment Center for the purpose to collaborate and support the mental health services within the school district for one calendar year starting February 26, 2024.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Wigfall, Roper, Cawthon, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: Green

Absent: None

Motion carried.

9. Next Scheduled Meetings:

9.1 Monday, February 26, 2024

Behavioral Interventions Committee Meeting

CES95 Administrative Center

1150 E. Grand Avenue, Suite 2

Carbondale, IL 62901

4:00 PM

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Foundation Board Meeting

The John Major Learning Center

CES95 Administrative Center

1150 E. Grand Avenue

Carbondale, IL 62901

5:30 PM

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Regular Board Meeting (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

The John Major Learning Center

CES95 Administrative Center

1150 E. Grand Avenue, Suite 2

Carbondale, IL 62901

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

11. Roper moved, seconded by Saunders to reenter into Executive Session

(CLOSED) at 8:15pm for the purpose of discussing matters relating to performance, evaluation and compensation of specific personnel matters relating to student discipline, matters relating to collecting bargaining, and matters relating to pending litigation. No decisions will be made, and no votes will be taken.

Roll Call Vote:

Yes votes: Field, Saunders, Roper, McHenry, Cawthon, Wigfall, Green

No votes: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

Executive Session adjourned at 9:17 PM.

Voice Vote:

Yes votes: Saunders, Field, McHenry, Roper, Wigfall, Green, Cawthon

No: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

12. Adjournment

Green moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend Adjournment at 9:17 PM.

Voice Vote:

Yes votes: Saunders, McHenry, Field, Wigfall, Green, Roper, Cawthon

No votes: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

https://4.files.edl.io/e571/03/29/24/185513-bb74533c-d092-4848-bbab-fba5e4491c93.pdf