Carbondale Reporter

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

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular scheduled 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, December 14, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Rania Dababneh      Christopher Swims

 Linda Flowers          Julie VanWinkle 

Neophansya Robinson

The following members were absent:

Lana Galan              Wendell Pohlman

Also present were:

Daniel Booth            Ryan Thomas 

Ray Toliver, Jr.         Lena Dierks

Secretary Pro Tem: Member Flowers served as Secretary Pro Tem in Wendell Pohlman’s absence.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Swims, to approve the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting and executive session of November 14, 2024. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Old Business—None

Public Comments—None

Recognition of Student/Teacher Achievements—None

FOIA Requests: The Board received a listing of the 2024-25 FOIA Requests received to date.

Payment of Bills: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to pay the remaining bills for the month of November 2024; and, those available for payment for the month of December 2024. Roll call: Flowers, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reported on the December activities occurring on campus.

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

Construction Updates: 

1. CTE Addition: Classes will begin in the new addition in January. Open House date to be determined. 

2. Solar Panels: The project began October 1 with a six-month timeline. 

3. Track: The bid has gone public. 

4. Science Department: Architect Paul Lunsford is working on bid documents. Once the bids are received, discussion will occur on how to fund the project.

Athletic Strategic Planning: 

The next meeting will be held January 6, 2025, to set the direction retreat.

Athletic Conference Discussion: 

Mr. Booth give an update on the South Seven Conference and discussions on next steps in pursuing increased membership options.

Strategic Planning Progress: 

January/February: Progress update on the KPI’s and Targets 

June: Present end of year report on strategic plan progress. 

July: Superintendent Evaluation

JALC Promise Scholarship: 

Mr. Booth advised the Board that in the Fall of 2026 John A. Logan College will begin offering Promise Scholarships to CCHS students. The scholarships will allow students to attend JALC tuition free. The requirements of the scholarship are: 90% Attendance Rate, 2.0 GPA, 9 Hours of Dual Credit Courses, 4 Years of Math and Completion of the FASA.

Board Data Update Reports: The Board received the following data update reports for their information:

November Student Attendance Report 

November Terrier Tutoring Student Attendance Report

Bids and Quotes—None

2024 Tax Levy: Motion by Flowers, seconded by Swims, to approve the following:

1. Adopt the Resolution of CCHS District 165 Levy for Special Education Purposes.

2. Adopt the 2024 Tax Levy Resolution, including the 2024 Certificate of Tax Levy, with permission to file the levy in Jackson and Williamson Counties.

3. Adopt the Certificate Regarding In applicability of the Truth-In-Taxation Law.

4. Adopt the “PTELL” Resolution, including Exhibit A, Request To Clerk Regarding Reduction of 2024 Tax Extension Pursuant to PTELL, with permission to file with the county clerks of Jackson and Williamson Counties.

Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Semi-Annual Review of Executive Closed Session Minutes: Motion by Swims, seconded by Robinson, to approve the semi-annual review of the closed executive session minutes as presented. Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Robinson voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

IASB PRESS Issue 117 Board Policy Manual Updates—First Reading: The Board received IASB PRESS Issue 117 Board Policy Manual updates for first reading. The second reading/adoption of the IASB PRESS Issue 117 Board Policy Updates will occur at the January 16, 2025, Board of Education meeting.

P.A. 103-0394: FY22-24 Op. Funds Ann. Ave. Exp. Report: The Board received a copy of the P.A. 103-0394: FY22-24 Operational Funds Annual Average Expenditure Report for their information.

Vision 2030 Support Resolution: The Board received the Vision 2030 Support Resolution for first reading. The second reading/adoption of the Vision 2030 Support Resolution will occur at the January 16, 2025, Board of Education meeting.

Resignations: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to accept the following resignations as presented:

a. Resignation Amy McMorrow-Hunter (Teacher Aide) effective December 10, 2024. 

b. Resignation of Autumnrose Anderson (Cook) effective December 20, 2024.

Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Robinson voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of 2024-25 Extra-Duty Personnel—None

Employment of Teacher Aide: Motion by Swims, seconded by Dababneh, to employ Jessica Sergeev as a Teacher Aide effective January 6, 2025, at the rate of $15.05 per hour for the 2024-25 school year. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Robinson and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of Attendance Office Secretary: Motion by Dababneh, seconded by Robinson, to retroactively employ Jessica Broderick effective December 2, 2024, as the Attendance Office Secretary, a 10-month full-time position, at the rate of $17.00 per hour for the 2024-25 school year. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

For Your Information Items: 

District offices will be closed Monday, December 23, 2024, through Monday, January 3, 2025, for Winter Break.

The next Board of Education meeting will be Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Executive Session: Motion by Swims, seconded by Dababneh, to go into executive session to discuss information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees, collective bargaining matters (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)(2)); and, to adjourn the Board of Education Meeting following the executive session. Roll call: Flowers, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Meeting Recessed: The meeting recessed at 6:36 p.m.

Executive Session Convenes: The executive session convened at 6:46 p.m.

Executive Session Adjourns: The executive session adjourned at 7:56 p.m.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

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