Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Community High School District 165 Board of Education met Jan. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of School District 165 was held in the Cafeteria of Carbondale Community High School, 1301 East Walnut Street, Carbondale, Illinois, on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following members were present:

Rania Dababneh (Virtual) 

Christopher E. Swims

Linda Flowers 

Julie VanWinkle

Wendell Pohlman

The following members were absent:

Lana Galan Neophansya Robinson

Also present were:

Daniel Booth Ryan Thomas

Ray Toliver, Jr. Lena Dierks

President VanWinkle declared a quorum present and the regular meeting of January 16, 2025, was called to order.

Member Answers Roll Call Virtually: Member Robinson answered roll call virtually at 6:01 p.m.

Approval of Minutes Motion: by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of December 19, 2024. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Old Business—None

Public Comments—None

Terrier Giving Program: School Social Workers, Amy Prudencio and Melinda Pierson, were recognized for their leadership of the Terrier Giving Program.

Amy Prudencio was unable to attend the meeting due to a prior commitment. Melinda Pierson was present at the meeting and she gave an overview of the program for the Board. She said the goal of the program is for no CCHS student to go without during the holiday season. She said every effort is made to make sure that not a single Terrier gets through the season without someone noticing them, reaching out to them, and making sure they have something new to unwrap and wear. She said this is made possible from a generous donation made by the Dr. Tsung Family. She said this year, 90 students in 70 families received new winter clothing. She said this was accomplished through the assistance of 25 staff members and two student groups, FFA and NHS.

Melinda Pierson and Amy Prudencio were given Board of Education Recognition pint glasses.

Member Arrives to Meeting: Member Robinson arrived to the meeting at 6:10 p.m.

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 December 2024; and, those available for payment for the month of January 2025. Roll call: Flowers, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Principal’s Report: Mr. Thomas reviewed his January Newsletter that was sent to parents, and he gave an update on the activities happening on campus.

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

Construction Updates

1. The CTE building addition is in use. The Open House date will be determined.

2. The solar panels project began on October 1, 2024, with a six-month completion timeline. All panels are in place and they are working on the connections.

3. The track bid has gone public.

4. District Architect, Paul Lunsford is working on bid documents for the Science Department. Once the bids have been received discussion on funding the project will begin.

Athletic Strategic Planning

The next meeting will be held on January 24, 2025, to set the direction retreat.

Athletic Conference Discussions

Mr. Booth updated the Board on the South Seven Conference and discussions on the next steps in pursuing increased membership options.

Updated Calendar

With the use of five Emergency Days due to weather, the current end of school year dates will be:

Tuesday, June 3, 2025: Final Exams

Wednesday, June 4, 2025: Final Exams

Thursday, June 5, 2025: Teacher Institute Day

The Board will approve the final calendar at the March Board meeting.

Board Data Update Reports: The Board received the December Student Attendance Report for their information.

2025 Love Your Heart Contest: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to approve the 2025 Love Your Heart Contest. Roll call: Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Strategic Plan Progress Report: Mr. Booth gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Strategic Plan Progress Report on the KPI’s and Targets for the Board.

Member Leaves and Returns to Meeting: Member Swims left the meeting at 6:50 p.m. and returned at 6:52 p.m.

Robinson Transportation Company Three-Year Contract Extension: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to approve the three-year contract extension with Robinson Transportation Company as presented. Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

IASB PRESS Issue 117 Board Policy Manual Updates--Second Reading/Adoption: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Robinson, to approve the IASB PRESS Issue 117 Board Policy Manual updates as presented. Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman and Robinson voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Vision 2030 Support Resolution--Second Reading/Adoption: Motion by Swims, seconded by Flowers, to approve the Vision 2030 Support Resolution as presented. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Robinson and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Exclusionary Discipline District Improvement Plan: Motion by Swims, seconded by Robinson, to approve the Exclusionary Discipline District Improvement Plan as presented. Roll call: Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims and VanWinkle voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Member Flowers commented that she felt the disparity was directly correlated to the lack of diversity in our faculty.

2025 Negotiations Operating Rules and Tentative Time Frame: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to approve the 2025 Negotiations Operating Rules and tentative time frame as presented. Roll call: Flowers, Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle and Dababneh voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Resignation/Retirements—None

Employment of Cook: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Robinson, to employ Margarita Acosta as a full-time Cook at the rate of $15.15 per hour for the 2024-25 school year. Roll call: Pohlman, Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh and Flowers voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of Teacher Aide: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Robinson, to employ Christopher Hughes as a Teacher Aide at the rate of $15.00 per hour for the 2024-25 school year. Roll call: Robinson, Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers and Pohlman voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

Employment of 2025-26 Special Education Teacher: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Robinson, to employ Stephen Grant as a full-time Special Education Teacher for the 2025-26 school year pending receipt of his special education certification. Mr. Grant’s placement on the 2025-26 Teacher Salary Schedule will be determined following receipt of his official transcripts. Roll call: Swims, VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman and Robinson voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

2024-25 Volunteers—None

For Your Information Items:

Community Celebration Event: Sunday, 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at the Carbondale Civic Center.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast: Monday, January 20, 2025, at 8:00 p.m., at the SIU Student Center.

Executive Session: Motion by Pohlman, seconded by Swims, to go into executive session to discuss information regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees, and collective bargaining matters (5 ILCS 20/2(c)(1)(2)); and, to adjourn the Board of Education meeting following the conclusion of the executive session. Roll call: VanWinkle, Dababneh, Flowers, Pohlman, Robinson and Swims voted yes. Nay, none. Motion carried.

The public portion of the meeting recessed at 7:36 p.m. The executive session convened at 7:46 p.m. The executive session adjourned at 10.16 p.m.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 10:17 p.m.

https://www.cchs165.jacksn.k12.il.us/board-of-education/january-2025