Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Elementary School District #95 Board of Education met Oct. 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 was held on Thursday, October 24 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

Dr. Renada Greer

Ms. Imani McHenry

Ms. Stacye Saunders

Ms. Aimee Wigfall

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 6:37 PM

Roll Call:

Ms. Catherine Field, President

Ms. Markida Roper, Vice President

Mr. Corey Cawthon, Secretary

Dr. Renada Greer

Ms. Imani McHenry

Ms. Stacye Saunders

Ms. Amy Wigfall

Saunders moved, seconded by Roper to enter Executive Session at 6:05 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, Greer

No votes: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

Executive Session adjourned at 7:01 PM.

Voice Vote:

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

No: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

3. Public Comments - None

4. Approval of Agenda

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

Roll Call Vote:

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

5. Consent Agenda Items

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

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

5.1 Minutes

5.11 Regular – September 23, 2024

5.12 Executive – September 23, 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 – SmartProcure - 10/7/24; Purchasing records from 5/1/24- 10/7/24.

Employee Data Analytics - 10/11/24; a listing of all Carbondale

Elementary SD 95 employees, including their first and last names, email addresses, titles/positions, and primary campus/department locations.

5.32 Donations – None

6. Committee Reports

6.1 6.11 Communication Report

President’s Remarks – Catherine Field

Ms. Field commented on the progress that the district has made since 2017 and the consistent efforts to make improvements on every aspect. Ms. Field also reference that there will be 7 board seats open in April and 5 current members are running for reelection.

6.2 Committee Reports

6.21 Behavioral Interventions Committee – No Report

6.22 Building and Transportation Committee – Markida Roper

• The committee met on October 17, 2024 at 5:30pm.

• Ms. Blake presented information on the plan to proceed with bringing the custodial staff in house.

• It is recommended on tonight’s agenda to approve a salary increase for the Director of Maintenance for the supervision of the custodial staff in addition to the maintenance staff.

• Playground Equipment – New equipment will be purchased with Capital Funds. The district will work with White & Borgognoni Architects to complete the project.

• Next meeting is January 30, 2025 at 5:00pm.

6.23 Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee – No Report

6.24 Policy Committee – Stacye Saunders

• The committee met on October 8, 2024

• Press Policies 116 were reviewed, discussed, and are on tonight’s agenda for a 1st Reading.

• Next meeting is TBA.

6.25 Public Relations Committee - No Report

6.26 Fundraising Development Committee - No Report

6.3 Administrative Staff Reports

6.31 Director of Special Education – Brooke Kensler

Updates on the work for the Community Schools Grant:

Our cabinet team has continued to meet with our consultant Victor Young to work on various parts of this work. The primary focus now has been on submitting the year 1 budget, as well as work around the 2 community school coordinators and development of the Civic Infrastructure Committee which are required components of the grant.

Dr. Ross and myself went to a two day training in which we learned more about the role of the CSC. We were able to gain a deeper understanding of the work that they do, their roles in connecting the students, school and community resources together. We met with other schools and were able to learn more from other districts and leaders from other states that are further along in implementation.

The role of the CSC is that when a student is in need they collaborate with the student, family members, community partners, and school staff to develop strengths-based and solution-focused goals and interventions for student success. The position allows the students and families to be supported more holistically beyond what can be done just during and in the school day.

We will be using one of our partner agencies to hire those two positions so we have been working on the job description and what that onboarding process will look like. That goal is for that position to be posted in the near future and we will really be focused on candidates that have a love for this type of work, that have an understanding of Carbondale and that will be able to connect with families in a supportive way.

The other focus area has been on the Civic Infrastructure Committee. This will be made up of leaders from our community partnerships, such as local government officials, our healthcare partners, education partners. The goal of this committee is to provide high level strategy and oversight as well as identification of resources and collaboration. We are in the beginning stages of developing that committee.

6.32 Chief School Business Official – Janiece Blake

On tonight’s agenda you have a few actions items related to custodial that Mrs. Roper reported on, and I also wanted to just give some additional information regarding this issue. During the June meeting this year, the board took action on a 1-year extension with HES to provide custodial services to the district. During my report that month, I mentioned that the extension was needed to continue the services until we established a plan to employ our own custodial staff. We made it through the summer cleaning and start of the school year for everyone to get acclimated to the new year. I met with our Director of Maintenance during this time to discuss staffing levels and we have finally arrived at the place where we are ready to fully move forward.

The hope is that once these positions are posted, we will begin to vet applicants, and hire them over the next two months. Once the positions are filled, we will begin onboarding and training for all of the individuals. The goal is to have the employees all in place to start during the month of January.

As far as terminating services with HES, our agreement states that we can terminate with at least 30 days notice. The only thing we legally have to do is provide notice, and we will have legal draft that documentation. Based on the nature of the way the agreement is structured with flexible terms for termination, it won’t require board action.

This new class of employees will fall under the direct supervision of Brad Isom. That will take increase his number of direct reports to 20. There is a recommendation to increase his salary in light of the work he has done and will continue to be responsible for. Brad Isom has developed goals that set district wide cleaning standards that will improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. This will include implementing a 5S system:

• Sort-Eliminating unnecessary items.

• Set in Order-Keeping needed items in the correct place to allow for easy access and efficiency.

• Shine-Keeping the workplace clean.

• Standardize-This is the condition we support when we maintain the first 3 pillars.

• Sustain- Set district wide cleaning standards.

Analysis of current contracted costs to in house custodial costs results in initial savings of close to $100k. It’s important to note that social security and IMRF benefits are not paid from operating costs. They are paid from fund 50 which is a restricted fund that can only be used for those things. If we have employees who takes health insurance, it will eat into those savings, but we want to be committed as a district to offering those types of benefits to employees.

I would like to take some time to commend Rebecca with HES. She is the site supervisor and has been an unspoken hero when it comes to redirecting some of the previous issues that we had been having with summer cleaning and the overall work in general. She has been they key factor in re establishing to working relationship that we’ve had over the last year.

The district audit took place on October 17th and 18th and I will provide the results of the finalized audit once the report is completed.

6.33 Data Reporting and Programs – Michelle Martin

Fall Benchmark Data

K-2nd - Star Early Lit, 3rd-8th - Star Reading, All - Star Math

Fall Benchmark Window - September 3rd - 20th

After the benchmark window, Principals each gave a State of the School presentation to their teachers and staff. This was an opportunity that allowed them to share building Star results and talk about their school improvement plans. Then on the SIP Data Day had a new flare. Our K-5 teachers were given a protocol to follow to review their own classroom data. This time was used to review and plan for small groups and also prepare for DAISY meetings. The middle school used the SIP Day Data to meet as grade level teams to review individual student data and plan for students that need extra support. Mr. Rutledge also found time for his teachers to individually review student data prior to the SIP Data Day so they were prepared for these conversations.

I have a three year Star score comparison to share. Star Early is taken by all K-2nd grade students and assesses foundational reading skills.

Foundational reading skills are critical because they form the basis for all future learning and literacy development. These early skills enable students to decode and understand texts, which are essential for academic success. The Star Early Literacy scores only have four proficiency levels because they are not linked to our state assessment. As you can see from this slide we are seeing improvements in this assessment especially in moving students out of the lowest level of proficiency. Star Reading is taken by all 3rd-8th grade students. The Star Reading assessment measures the reading ability and comprehension skills of our students. These scores have five proficiency levels because they have been linked to our state assessment. Remember, the Illinois cut scores are some of the highest in the country so students. Here we see a decrease in students at the lowest level of proficiency from 2022 to 2024. We also see a slight increase in the percentage of students who met or exceeded expectations from 2022 to 2024. The Star math assessment is taken by all students in the district and is also linked to our state assessment. As you can see Star math scores have basically remained the same over the last three years.

The Star scores included in your board packet break the current Star scores down by grade level. This report will be updated after each benchmark and growth summarized after the Winter window.

6.34 Superintendent Report – Janice Pavelonis

• Annual Recognition Status from ROE – The Regional Office of Education sent the board a Letter of Recognition Status based on the district’s compliance review.

• Fall Festival- Kudos to the CES95 PTO, Administrators, and Families!

• Principal Appreciation Week – Recognized all of the Principals!

• Foundation Grant Applications – The deadline has been extended to October 28th.

• Lights Fantastic Parade – The district is planning on creating a float.

• Board Retreat – Superintendent Pavelonis gave a recap of the districts progress in the strategic plan from 2017 to now. The focus was the future of the district and future strategic planning that will continue the goals that we are already working on and strengthening the work and imbedding all of the community schooling grant work as well.

6.4 Faculty Council Report – Megan Tate

• Amber Ragsdale met with Michelle Martin last week.

• Staff are having issues finding information from the previous year on Educlimber. Ms. Martin will make sure administrators will know where to find the information for future DAISY meetings.

• The meeting mentioned in last month’s report regarding WONDERS is forthcoming.

• A discussion was had about the new laws that are in place to keep kids safer online which was the reason some teachers were unable to use some of the sites to aid in their teaching. They are currently working on connecting the parties to find a solution to the issue and potentially streamline that procedure for the future.

7. Old Business

7.1 Second Reading of Press Policies 115: Review and Monitoring Saunders moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend approving the Second Reading of Press Policies 115: Review and Monitoring

2:70 Vacancies on the School Board – Filling Vacancies

2:125 Board Member Compensation; Expenses

2:160 Board Attorney

4:15 Identity Protection

4:80 Accounting and Audits

5:180 Temporary Illness or Temporary Incapacity

5:290 Employment Termination and Suspensions

6:110 Programs for Students At Risk of Academic Failure and/or Dropping Out of School and Graduation Incentives Program

6:150 Home and Hospital Instruction

7:170 Vandalism

Voice Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

7.2 Second Reading of Press Policies 115: Draft Updates

Saunders moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approving the Second Reading of Press Policies 115: Draft Updates

4:70 Resource Conservation

5:130 Responsibilities Concerning Internal Information

5:200 Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal

6:140 Education of Homeless Children

Voice Vote

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

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

Roper moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend approving the resignation of Delores Todd, EOC Aide at Carbondale Middle School effective September 23, 2024 and Leah Flores Instructional Aide at Carbondale Middle School effective October 18, 2024.

Voice Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.12 Employment of Paraprofessionals

Saunders moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend the employment of the following paraprofessionals for the 2024-2025 school year, pending licensure and a clear CBI:

Tomeka Parker – EOC Aide at Lewis School retroactive effective September 24, 2024.

Verissa Frierson – Instructional Aide at Carbondale Middle School retroactive effective October 15, 2024.

Machelle Gee – Library Aide at Thomas School.

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.13 Employment of After School Paraprofessional

Greer moved, seconded by Saunders, Recommend approving the employment of the following paraprofessionals to work the after school program for the 2024-2025 school year.

Parrish School

Clariss Hill, Kelly Weberling, and Raushana Davis

Maliyah Wooten – Retroactive effective October 9, 2024

Lewis School

Tomeka Parker – Retroactive effective October 8, 2024

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.14 Employment of LPN Nurse

Greer moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approving the employment of Candice Newman as an LPN Nurse at Parrish School retroactive effective October 15, 2024, pending a clear CBI.

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.15 Action on Custodial Staff Posting

Roper moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approving the posting for the employment of custodial staff to be hired as district employees to clean the buildings.

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.16 Action on Director of Maintenance Salary Increase

Greer moved, seconded by Saunders, Recommend approving the salary increase in the amount of $10,000 for Brad Isom, Director of Maintenance due to increase of duties in supervising additional employees.

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.2 Action on Certified Personnel

8.21 Action on Resignation

Saunders moved, seconded by Greer, Recommend approving the resignation of Leigh Taylor as a Kindergarten Teacher at Parrish School effective September 30, 2024.

Voice Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.22 Employment of CES95 Faculty - None

8.23 Employment of Special Assignments

Saunders moved, seconded by Roper, Recommend the employment of the following special assignments for the 2024-2025 school year:

Carbondale Middle School

Mariana Rojas – Student Council

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.24 Employment of After School Tutors - None

8.3 First Reading of Press Policies 116: Draft Updates

2:265 Title IX Grievance Procedure

2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure

5:100 Staff Development Program

7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited

7:185 Teen Dating Violence Prohibited

No Action Taken

9. Next Scheduled Meetings:

9.1 Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Behavioral Interventions Committee Meeting

CES95 Administrative Center

1150 E. Grand Avenue, Suite 2

Carbondale, IL 62901

4:00 PM

*Thursday, November 14, 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)

*NOT A FOURTH THURSDAY

10. Public Comments

Dr. Ryan Reed commented on his thoughts regarding the cultural biases in Star Test and what protocols/supports are in place for minority students to excel.

11. Adjournment

Saunders moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend Adjournment at 8:14 PM.

Voice Vote:

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

No votes: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

https://4.files.edl.io/c72c/11/15/24/183722-fc50cdaf-9a80-4d87-9b13-2a4302ec9516.pdf