Carbondale Reporter

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

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

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

Administrators present:

Ms. Janice Pavelonis, Superintendent

Ms. Janiece Blake, Chief School Business Official

Ms. Michelle Martin, Director of Data Reporting and Programs

2. EXECUTIVE SESSION 6:06 PM

Roll Call:

Ms. Catherine Field, President

Mr. Corey Cawthon, Secretary

Dr. Renada Greer

Ms. Imani McHenry

Greer moved, seconded by McHenry to enter Executive Session at 6:06 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, Greer, McHenry

No votes: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

Executive Session adjourned at 7:04 PM.

Voice Vote:

Yes votes: Field, Greer, McHenry, Cawthon

No: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

3. Public Comments - None

4. Approval of Agenda

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

Roll Call Vote:

Yes votes: Field, Greer, McHenry, Cawthon

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

5. Consent Agenda Items

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

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

5.1 Minutes

5.11 Regular – March 27, 2025

5.12 Executive – March 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 – 4/2/2025 SmartProcure: Purchasing records from 1/1/2026 to 4/2/2026.

5.32 Donations – None

6. Committee Reports

6.1 6.11 Communication Report

President’s Remarks – Catherine Field

• President Field referenced the executive orders from Washington DC regarding education. President Field stated that “We are sure to do our best for our students in teaching them everything they need to know to be successful!

6.2 Committee Reports

6.21 Behavioral Interventions Committee – No Report

6.22 Building and Transportation Committee – Janiece Blake

• CMS Gym Floor - At the last committee meeting we discussed moving forward with a redesign of the CMS gym floor. We received preliminary renderings from Doulos Floor Finishing that were presented at that meeting. I reached out to Stalker Sports Floors who have done other gym floor work in the area, as well as the current CMS gym floor design back in 2018. The quote provided by Stalker came in at $36,700 to redo the current graphics that are in place. The quote from Doulos came in at $32,026.60 for a complete redesign. There is a recommendation tonight to approve the quote from Doulos. The work is schedule to begin June 6th and will take approximately two weeks to complete.

• Playground Renovation - Next steps were discussed on playground renovations at Thomas. We are currently working on getting survey work completed, that’s being done by Klingner & Associates here in Carbondale. Their scope of work includes survey of the playground and soccer field, civil design to provide regrading and drainage relief of the playground and soccer field areas, and review of shop drawings. The cost of this work is $6350. The target completion date of their work is May 1st. Since the district is a member of the Sourcewell purchasing cooperative, it allows us to buy direct from playground equipment manufacturers through approved dealers who have already gone through an approved bid process. I have been working with the architect to develop design options for the new playground. Once we have determined the new design, we can go ahead and get equipment ordered to be ready for installation when the site work is done.

• Transportation Renewal - We discussed the renewal information provided by Robinson Transport. The proposed renewal is for 3 years at a 3.95% increase each year. The percentage increases are valued at $393,750 over the 3 year period which averages out to $131,250 per year. The percentage increases and terms are consistent with other districts who are also considering renewals at this time. Based on an analysis of fund balances over the last few years, and proposed costs, the recommendation is to approve the renewal presented by Robinson Transport.

• New Business - Space planning related to Community School Resource Centers was set to be discussed with the board.

• The next meeting is May 13, 2025 at 5 pm.

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 School Update giving during Superintendent report.

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

• Bilingual Teacher - In your board packet you have a memo about approving a Bilingual Spanish Teacher for Parrish School for the 25-26 school year. This teacher is required by law to be in place once a school has reached 20 or more students speaking the same language. This teacher will provide native language instruction to Spanish speaking English Language learners. This position is an action item later in the agenda.

• Assessment Update - We are quickly wrapping up state testing at Thomas, Lewis and CMS. The Star spring benchmark window opened on Monday, April 21st and will continue through May 8th. Schools will review this data at the next SIP day on Friday, May 9th. I will share this assessment data with you at the May board meeting.

• Pre-K and Kindergarten Screening - Pre-K screening for the 25- 26 school year is scheduled for May 7th and 8th and will take place at Lakeland. Kindergarten registration which will include kindergarten screening is scheduled for May 14th, 15th, and 16th at Parrish school. Parrish school is also planning for Kinder Camp which will be held on Thursday, May 1st from 5:00-7:00 PM at Parrish School. Kinder Camp is for 25-26 incoming Kindergarten students and families. This is an opportunity to introduce students and families to Parrish school and Kindergarten expectations.

6.34 Superintendent Report – Janice Pavelonis

• Speech and Language Pathologist Posting – Due to the current incoming caseload for the 2025-2026 a position needs to be added at Parrish School.

• CMS Promotion Ceremony – May 17th at 10:00am in the gymnasium.

• Important Dates – A memo will be sent to parents and staff outlining the rest of the school year.

• Dean of Students Posting – Due to the lack of qualified candidates for the Assistant Principal position, the recommendation is to change the position to a Dean of Student for the 2025-2026 school year.

• Acknowledgement of a 4th grade student that won 1st place in the 2025 short story essay contest hosted by the Southern Illinois Reading Council. A copy of the story was included in the board packet.

• Inflatable Obstacle Course – Donated by the Breakfast Rotary Club that will be used by the PTO for district fundraising events.

• Measles Update – We are at a high rate of students that have the immunizations that are required for students to attend school therefore causing a very low risk for outbreaks in our district.

• Community Schools Work – Working on space plans for the resource centers at Parrish and CMS. The teams are working with different advisory groups to comminate resources that each entity has in the community so that when we are open for business in our family resource centers, those are the resources that we are directing families too.

6.4 Faculty Council Report – Jennifer Burke, President

• No Report

7. Old Business - None

8. New Business

8.1 Action on Classified Personnel

8.11 Action on Resignations

Greer moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend approving the resignation of Daryl Frazier, Student Supervisory Aide at Parrish School effective April 1, 2025 and Alan Mighell, Custodian at Carbondale Middle School effective May 9, 2025.

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, McHenry, Cawthon

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.12 Employment of Paraprofessionals

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

Jasmine Slater – EOC Aide at Parrish School retroactive effective April 14, 2025.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Cawthon, Greer, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.13 Employment of After School Paraprofessionals – None

8.14 Action on Notification of Retirement

McHenry moved, seconded by Greer, Recommend approving the notification of retirement from Jennifer Smith to retire effective June 5, 2025 and Sharon Rawls to retire effective June 5, 2025.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.15 Action on Summer Employment Positions

McHenry moved, seconded by Greer, Recommend approving the following summer work positions. Positions will be hired upon need:

(4) Summer Maintenance Assistants – Up to 400 hours, $15/hr. each

(2) Summer Technology Workers – Up to 300 hours, $15/hr. each

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.2 Action on Certified Personnel

8.21 Action on Resignations

Greer moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend approving the resignation of Megan Leonard-Holland, Special Education Teacher at Lewis School effective the end of the 2024-2025 school year and Kelly Fear, 1st Grade Teacher at Parrish School effective the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Voice Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

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:

Brandy Calvert – Special Education Teacher at Lewis School

Mercedes Baylis – 4th Grade Teacher at Lewis School

MaKenzie Ayers – 4th Grade Teacher at Lewis School

Rachael Ferrell – Pre-Kindergarten Teacher at Parrish School

Jessica Campobello – Kindergarten Teacher at Parrish School

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.23 Employment of Special Assignments - None

8.24 Employment of After School Tutors

Greer moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend approving the employment of Jamie Hertter to work in the after school program for the 2024-2025 school year retroactive effective March 31, 2025.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.25 Action on Dean of Students Posting

McHenry moved, seconded by Greer, Recommend approving the posting for a Dean of Students at Thomas School effective the 2025-2026 school year.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Cawthon, Greer, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.26 Action on Speech and Language Pathologist Posting

Greer moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend approving a posting for an additional SLP position at Parrish School for the 2025-2026 school year.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Cawthon, Greer, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.27 Action on Bi-Lingual (Spanish) Teacher Posting

McHenry moved, seconded by Greer, Recommend approving a posting for a Bi-Lingual (Spanish) Teacher at Parrish School for the 2025-2026 school year.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Cawthon, Greer, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.3 Action on Interagency Working Agreement between Child & Family Connections #24 and Carbondale Elementary School District 95

McHenry moved, seconded by Greer, Recommend approving the Interagency Working Agreement between Child Family Connections #24 and Carbondale Elementary School District 95 to work collaboratively in the early detection and treatment to persons determined eligible.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.4 Action on Interagency Working Agreement between Archway, Inc. and Carbondale District #95

Greer moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend approving the Interagency Working Agreement between Archway, Inc. and Carbondale District #95. The purpose of this agreement is to provide appropriate services based on cooperation between the two agencies in detection and treatment of persons with mental, physical, social, economic, or other difficulties.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.5 Action on Robinson Transport Contract Renewal

McHenry moved, seconded by Greer, Recommend approving the contract renewal with Robinson Transport for 3 years in the amount of $393,748.00.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Field, Greer, Cawthon, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

8.6 Action on CMS Gym Floor Resurfacing

Greer moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend approving the quote from Doulos Floor Finishing, LLC to resurface the gym floor at Carbondale Middle School in the amount of $32,026.60.

Roll Call Vote

Yes votes: Cawthon, Greer, Field, McHenry

No votes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

9 Next Scheduled Meetings:

9.1 Monday, April 28, 2025

Special Board Meeting

The John Major Learning Center

CES95 Administrative Center

1150 E. Grand Avenue

Carbondale, IL 62901

6:00 PM

Tuesday, May 20, 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

Greer moved, seconded by McHenry, Recommend Adjournment at 7:57 PM.

Voice Vote:

Yes votes: Cawthon, Field, Greer, McHenry

No votes: None

Absent: Wigfall

Motion carried.

https://4.files.edl.io/bddc/05/21/25/174622-0ce75151-9030-4002-9c18-cf29eb0fa33d.pdf