Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Elementary School District #95 Board of Education met March 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 was held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, 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

Mr. Corey Cawthon, Secretary

Dr. Renada Greer

Ms. Imani McHenry

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 6:04 PM

Roll Call:

Ms. Catherine Field, President

Mr. Corey Cawthon, Secretary

Dr. Renada Greer

Ms. Imani McHenry

Ms. Amy Wigfall

Wigfall moved, seconded by McHenry to enter Executive Session at 6:04 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, Cawthon, Wigfall, Greer, McHenry

No votes: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

Executive Session adjourned at 7:07 PM.

Voice Vote:

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

No: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

3. Public Comments

Alyssa Staley, English Teacher at CMS recognized several students who participated in the Illinois Association of Teachers of English (IATE) writing and art competition. This annual competition provides a platform for our students to showcase their creativity and hard work.

This competition was introduced to my students early in the year, hoping to encourage participation. While some needed a little extra motivation to believe in their abilities, they all embraced the challenge with dedication, seeking feedback and making revisions. Four sixth-grade students submitted their written pieces: Anwesha Pragga, Taye Mingle Taylor, Dacey Garden, and Micah Wheetley.

Notably, CMS was one of only two middle schools to submit entries and the sole school south of Belleville to participate. Micah Wheetley received an honorable mention for his outstanding piece titled "The Broken Vase." This recognition is a significant accomplishment, as the IATE judges are college professors who volunteer their time to review and score each submission.

Our students performed admirably in this statewide competition, and we should all take pride in their achievements. Let's celebrate their hard work and determination!

4. Approval of Agenda

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

Roll Call Vote:

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

5. Consent Agenda Items

Greer 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, Greer, Cawthon, Wigfall, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

5.1 Minutes

5.11 Regular – February 27, 2025

5.12 Executive – February 27, 2025

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

• April 1st is Elections Day, Please Go Out and VOTE!

• Presentation of plaques to Markida Roper and Stacye Saunders, former board members for their service.

6.2 Committee Reports

6.21 Behavioral Interventions Committee – No Report

6.22 Building and Transportation Committee – Janiece Blake

• CMS Gym Floor - It has been reported that the surface of the gym floor is not in the best shape and needs work. The typical process involves a screening which is a deep clean and coated with a sealant no less than every couple of years to keep the surface in good condition. Initial discussions with myself and Brad Isom centered around the possibility of having the screening process completed. After reaching out to some companies who do this type of work, it was determined that a complete refinish might be a better option. The committee discussed the specifics of both options, and determined that the best course of action at this point is to move forward with a refinish of the gym floor. I will reach out to some companies and get quotes on a complete refinish and provide that information at the next committee meeting.

• Playground Renovation - On February 28th, Principal Clark-Stokes, Dr. Barton, and I met with our architect Gail White from White Borgnonoi to discuss the playground renovation at Thomas School. We walked the playground and identified areas of concern and items that are being utilized that should remain. The playpods are going to be replaced, but some of the blacktop space will remain in place to allow the students to continue to play games such as basketball and four square. Thomas has a ton of greenspace for free play, which the students use for soccer, but because of the elevation in the yard, most of the space gets saturated a forms puddles when it rains. The drainage problem also presents challenges to keeping the infill materials under the playpods. Right now there is wood mulch, and the water will also wash this material out of the playpod area. Current conversations involve possibly relocating the playpods to a different area of the playground to help alleviate drainage issues. Next steps involve the architect scheduling with an engineering firm to survey the playground and start working on possible designs and specs to get the bid process going. The plan is still to have the playground work completed before the start of next school year.

• Lewis and Thomas Modulars - The district currently has space needs due to the large group of third graders from Thomas moving to Lewis next school year. Based on initial estimates of building additional classrooms, we are planning to move forward with placing a modular at Lewis school. Our desire is to have a brand new modular at Lewis, and also replace Thomas modular with a new one. I am currently working with Brad Isom to secure quotes and estimates on what new modulars will cost and timelines for procurement and setup.

• Custodial Survey – Now that the district is fully staffed with in house custodians, Brad Isom sent out a survey asking staff to rate the building they work in terms of specific areas such as the cafeteria, restrooms, classrooms, common areas and overall satisfaction of the building itself. Out of a rating of 5, the restrooms were rates at 3.67, classrooms 3.82, common areas 4.05, cafeteria 4.14, and overall, the rating was 3.80. There was also an open-ended response section for feedback and there were tons of positive remarks, and some areas for improvement. Mr. Isom is going to take the feedback and meet with the custodial staff of those buildings and re-establish proper protocols for the work. We will send the survey out again before the end of the year to get comparative data to work with.

• Transportation Renewal - We are in the final year of the renewal with Robinson Transport and will be asking them to provide us with renewal rates for upcoming school years. Once they are received, I will run a financial analysis based on current routes with the proposed increases, and that information will be shared at the next committee meeting. We discussed preliminary indications that transportation reimbursements from the state could be prorated next year, so we will need to consider the overall financial impact.

• Next meeting will be held on April 17, 2025 at 5:00pm.

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 Special Education – Brooke Kensler

Community Schools Updates

• Health Services Update - A large portion of the work of the school and district nurse is to make sure our students are compliant with physical and immunization requirements. They have had a focused effort over the last few years of working to ensure our students are compliant and we do not have to exclude them at the October date due to noncompliance. The work for that has started with our 5th graders. They are doing a health blitz with the mobile unit every other Thursday through the end of the year. The school has sent out a flyer and registration packets to parents and it has been communicated on their school sites. That has been a great collaboration between Amy Hicks our district nurse, Dr. Ross and Felecia and the Shawnee staff.

• The district nurse is getting certified to become a CPR instructor and will be able to train staff next school year. We have had this request from staff, so we are looking forward to being able to offer that training for them next school year.

• Hearing and Vision screenings are another large area of work for our nurses. Amy has been working with the Lions Club and they have awarded us a grant for $1000 to go towards the purchase of a SPOT screener to better meet the needs of our students. About 30% of the students, they screen are not able to condition to our current vision screener, so this tool automatically screens without the need for student responses. So, I would like to Thank the Lions Club for that gift.

• Community Schools Work Update - Our community schools’ team, who all happen to be here tonight. Ms. Roper, Ms. Saunders and Dr. Ross have been doing amazing work as we are in our planning for implementation. They have continued to have meetings with our advisory groups to gather resources and build partnerships. We also had our first School Council meetings at Parrish and CMS. These councils consist of parents and staff and their purpose at this time is to guide us in our needs assessment, what they are seeing, needing and what work will have the biggest impact. The combined work of the advisory groups and school councils will result in recommendations for our school resource centers. The Community Schools team will be at the Children's Day at the Park they will have some fun stuff for kids and also use that opportunity to get some feedback from families, so hopefully lots of families will stop by.

6.32 Chief School Business Official – Janiece Blake

• Report given in the Committee Reports section under the Building and Transportation Committee .

6.33 Director of Data Reporting and Programs – Michelle Martin

• K-5 ELA Curriculum Renewal

In your board packet you have a memo on the renewal of McGraw-Hill Wonders as the ELA curriculum resource. I have worked with the K-5 ELA Curriculum Team, to review possible K 5 ELA curriculums. The team determined it was best to renew our existing McGraw-Hill Wonders curriculum. This renewal will include a move to the updated Wonders 2023 edition which includes a greater focus on the foundational skills of reading along with other enhancements. The decision to renew the existing curriculum was made because Wonders continues to meet the needs of our students, offers extensive customer service, and there will be no time lost due to teachers learning a new platform.

• On the agenda it will be recommended that the board approve the renewal of McGraw-Hill Wonders 2023 for Kindergarten through 5th grade for six years beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

Superintendent Report – Janice Pavelonis

• Carbondale Rotary Breakfast – Shared a presentation on the Community Schools Efforts regarding national attention and our team/research.

• Attended the dances at Parrish and Thomas School.

• IAR Testing

• Shout out to the 7th and 8th grade Brain Games Team on getting 2nd place at Regionals.

6.4 Faculty Council Report – Jennifer Burke, President

• My name is Jennifer Burke and I have just recently been appointed to the position of Faculty Council President. I haven’t held this position before so thank you in advance for your patience as I settle into this new position.

• Michelle Martin and I met on Wednesday, March 26th. We talked about how meetings have typically happened in the past and set up meetings for April and May.

• I confirmed with Michelle that, since the Wonders Curriculum is being renewed, we didn’t need to have a meeting to discuss a new curriculum. We also discussed the fact that Michelle has a timetable in place for ordering anything needed for our current curricula so that all will be ready for the beginning of school in August.

7. Old Business - None

8. New Business

8.1 Action on Classified Personnel

8.11 Action on Resignations

Greer moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approving the resignation of Thomas Pierre-Louis, Custodian at Carbondale Middle School effective February 14, 2025 and Angela Blain, EOC Aide at Carbondale Middle School effective February 27, 2025.

Voice Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.12 Employment of Paraprofessionals

Wigfall moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend approving the employment of the following paraprofessional effective the 2024-2025 school year, pending licensure and a clear CBI.

Kesiena Obue – Instructional Aide at Parrish School retroactive effective March 19, 2025.

Remie Harkins – EOC Aide at Carbondale Middle School retroactive effective March 24, 2025.

Daryl Frazier – Student Supervisory Aide at Parrish School

Kasandra Wren – Instructional Aide at Parrish School

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.13 Action on Classified Substitute

Greerl moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend the adding the following to the classified substitute list to work on an as needed basis effective the 2024-2025 school year, pending a clear CBI.

Tiffany Nelson – Custodian and Cook’s Helper

Madison English – Instructional Aide retroactive effective March 5, 2025.

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.14 Employment of After School Paraprofessionals

Wigfall moved, seconded by Greer, Recommend approving the employment of the following classified staff to work the after school program effective the 2024-2025 school year.

Jeannie Ravenscraft – Thomas School retroactive effective February 25, 2025.

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.2 Action on Certified Personnel

8.21 Action on Resignations

Greer moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approving the resignation of Steven Walsh, Academic Talented Teacher at Lewis School effective the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Voice Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

Greer moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend approving the resignation of Lance Davis, 2nd Grade Teacher at Thomas School effective the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Voice Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.22 Employment of CES95 Faculty

McHenry moved, seconded by Greer, Recommend the employement of the following certified staff for the 2025-2026 school year, pending a clear CBI:

Stephanie Mazurowski – 1st Grade Teacher at Parrish School

Natasha Hubbard-Felton – Kindergarten Teacher at Parrish School Sydney Peach – Kindergarten Teacher at Parrish School

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.23 Action on Maternity Leave

Wigfall moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend approving the request for maternity leave from Kinzee Wilson to begin on or around May 9, 2025 through the remaining of the 2024-2025 school year with a return date at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

Voice Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.24 Employment of Special Assignments

McHenry moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approving the following special assignments for the 2024-2025 school year.

Anaiyah Agee – Assistant Boys Track Coach

Roll Call Vote

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

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.25 Action on Notification of Retirement - None

8.26 Action on Administrator Contracts

Greer moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approving a contract for the following Administrators effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026:

Ericka Weston, Assistant Principal

Shetara Reed, Assistant Principal

Jennifer Bunton, Assistant Principal

Josey Wyatt, Assistant Principal

Kari Kilquist, Principal

Christopher Rutledge, Principal

Michelle Martin, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Brooke Kensler, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

Melody Spaulding, Director of Technology

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Cawthon, Greer, Wigfall

No votes: None

Abstain: McHenry

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.3 Action on Amendment to the District Calendar for the 2024-2025 school year

McHenry moved, seconded by Wigfall, Recommend approving to amend the current district calendar due to the snow day used on January 6 – January 10, 2025 and February 19 – February 21, 2025 for the current school year with June 4, 2025 as the last day for student attendance and June 5, 2025 as the Teacher Institute Day.

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon Wigfall, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.4 Action to Establish the Date for Carbondale Middle School Promotion

McHenry moved, seconded by Greer, Recommend setting the Carbondale Middle School Promotion date on May 17, 2025, at 10:00am at Carbondale Middle School.

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon Wigfall, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.5 Action on School Calendar for 2025-2026

Wigfall moved, seconded by Greer, Recommend approving the school calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon Wigfall, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: None

Motion carried.

8.6 Action on K-5 Reading Curriculum

Wigfall moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend approving the renewal of Wonders K-5 Reading Curriculum in the amount of $215,212.08 for the next 6 years beginning the 2025-2026 school year.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Cawthon, Greer, Wigfall, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: Field

Absent: None

Motion carried.

9 Next Scheduled Meetings:

9.1 Thursday, April 24, 2025

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. Adjournment

Wigfall moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend Adjournment at 7:51 PM.

Voice Vote:

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

No votes: None

Absent: None

Motion carried. https://4.files.edl.io/6735/04/25/25/174237-c5344bbd-57cf-4818-b03e-b3d5ae313b55.pdf