Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 Board of Education met Thursday, June 23.
The Carbondale School District No. 95 School Board consists of seven members elected to serve four-year terms. There are four schools in the district: Parrish School, Thomas School, Lewis School and Carbondale Middle School.
Here are the minutes as provided by Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95:
Agenda Item 5.11 Bd. Mtg. 7/28/16
CARBONDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT #95 BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES June 23, 2016
A regular meeting of the Carbondale Elementary School District No. 95 was held on Thursday, June 23, 2016, 6:00 PM at CES95 Administrative Center, 925 South Giant City Road, Carbondale, IL 62902.
1. Roll Call:
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Mr. John Major, President Mr. Roger Pfister, Vice President Mrs. Erinn Murphy, Secretary Mr. David Biggs Mr. Edward Benyas Ms. Michelle Connet Mr. Robert Gallegly
Administrators present: Mr. Michael Shimshak, Superintendent Mr. Justin M. Miller, Assistant Superintendent Mrs. Colleen Doyle-Parrott, Director of Curriculum/Instruction & Assessment Mrs. Jerrah Henson, Director of Special Student Education & Services
ROLL CALL
2. EXECUTIVE SESSION 6:05 PM
Roll Call: Mr. John Major, President Mr. Roger Pfister, Vice President (arrived at 6:10 PM) Mrs. Erinn Murphy, Secretary Mr. Edward Benyas Mr. David Biggs (arrived at 6:06 PM) Ms. Michelle Connet Mr. Robert Gallegly
Benyas moved, seconded by Gallegly, to enter Executive Session at 5:59 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.
Roll Call: Yes votes: Major, Murphy, Benyas, Connet, Gallegly No votes: None Motion carried.
Gallegly moved, seconded by Murphy, to adjourn Executive Session at 6:58 PM.
Roll Call: Yes votes: Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major, Pfister
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No votes: None Motion carried.
A Public Hearing on the FY16 Amended Budget was held as part of the General Board of Education Meeting.
Justin Miller, Assistant Superintendent, presented on the following:
• Handed out the FY16 Amended Budget. The top sheet includes the Budget as it was approved back in September 2015. The accompany sheets are the amendments.
• All expenses are detailed by fund. Includes June payroll and all other expenses up until this morning. The balance is listed for each fund at the bottom.
• Revenue estimated to be received for this month is between $325,000 to $350,000. This is a particularly low amount compared to last year.
• Estimated deficit this year is about $600,000 to $700,000.
• Some of the revenue expected for FY17 will be delayed due to pending allocations from the State.
• As we continue to operate on a cash basis, some funding is not accounted for until cash is received.
• Funding currently being held includes E-Rate and school security funding.
• Forecasting for FY17 and FY18 budgets will be difficult as funding continues to be delayed.
• Mr. Miller stressed that the District must be as fiscally efficient as possible in moving forward.
3. Public Comments –John Major
Ms. Margaret Nesbitt: “Good evening. I just want to say I’m back, and I thank you all so much for the years of service for the I Can Read Program. I have learned, experienced, and accepted that our children’s {.inaudible.}. But then you find that {.inaudible.} you need someone that ought to help, and I have found that somebody this past year {.inaudible.}.”
Mr. Edward Benyas: “I can’t hear you.”
Ms. Nesbitt: “Oh, sorry. I said that when we’ve found that we’re needing financial help, you need people who are really concerned to help the children. And this year I found that out with some of the staff from District 95 who reached out to enhance the program I Can Read, and it is as much appreciated as the financial help from the Board. So tonight, I have a young lady that was introduced to us from Dr. Elizabeth Lewin who runs our Summer program, and she is such an outstanding person, that we couldn’t believe someone could come in and take over a program and it works. She has a Doctorate from SIU in the May graduation. And she was willing to come in to help this Summer—the staff as far as I Can Read is kind of. was kind of wondering if we were going to make it, and this young lady came in with the help of some of your staff. We have one week left in this Summer program and we’re looking forward to coming back in the Fall with new growth. New growth, working with the Board, working with the Superintendent to do some things that can be done, not financially, but just help the best that we can. And I hope you know that we appreciate over the years that you have helped. I ran over the years across a lot of people that need financial support that {.inaudible.}. So I would like for Dr. Moore to come forward and tell a little bit about her experience this June with I Can Read Program, and also I like to give out—someone in the I Can Read program made copies of this—to pass out to each Board member to see {.inaudible.}”.
Mrs. Erinn Murphy, Board Secretary: “Excuse me. How many—how many students have been participating this Summer?”
Ms. Nesbitt: “This Summer I think we have 30 grade school students. Day-to-day its around that park {.inaudible.} So we may have 25 today, 30 the next day, 14 the next day {.inaudible.}”
Mrs. Murphy: “Thank you.”
Ms. Nesbitt: “Dr. Moore.”
Dr. Maya Moore: “Well, with I Can Read we currently had the Summer Camp Program and each staff, half which were, half weren’t, currently working with District 95 in some capacity. As it’s been said, I was personally recruited by Dr. Elizabeth Lewin. She has been a big instrumental part of the program in terms of working out the coordinated testing and things like that, but the actual staff from District 95—I don’t know what I would do without them. I came in and kind of used some of the current schedule that had been used before with the curriculum. I came in with an idea of more of a social emotional learning foundation with students, which went really well, and I was thankful in that staff already knew or were familiar with using those tools. Social emotional learning and how to integrate that with writing and reading enrichments. So the experiences so far have been absolutely amazing, and it’s truly been amazing working with the kids. Especially a group of kids who are just like sponges. It’s K through 5, so kids at that age are just absorbing and absorbing. And especially in this specific area that we work in—actually to be specific I’m from Los Angeles, California, and so I’m a fish out of water in a major way. In Carbondale in general. This is kind of foreign to me. Especially in that specific area the kids really got receptive to how to overcome learning obstacles, what type of emotional hindrances come up, and how that can actually impede actual academic learning and cognitive learning. So, in District 95 the teachers have been amazing, administrators have been amazing in facilitating that and being kind of in the trenches with the students. So we thank you for grooming the great group of teachers that I have worked with so far.”
Mrs. Murphy: “Can you just state your name again?”
Dr. Moore: “Maya Moore.”
Mrs. Murphy: “And are you staying? Are you here until the Summer or—“
Dr. Moore: “Well I’ve been here for 3 1/2 years and I graduated in May. So I just got my Doctorate’s at SIU in Cultural Education Program, so I will be leaving in August, but I was thinking about, since I won’t be too far, coming back and coordinating future programs for I Can Read. I absolutely fell in love, so we’ll see if I can help out, but it’s been a great experience.”
Mrs. Murphy: “Thank you.”
Dr. Moore: “Thank you.”
Ms. Jennifer Hartlieb, 3rd
Grade Teacher: “Good evening my name is Jennifer Hartlieb. I’m here representing the Carbondale Education Association and I’m also the Faculty Council President.”
Mr. Benyas: “I can’t hear you.”
Ms. Hartlieb: “Is that better? How about now? Good. I was pleased that many Board members wanted to speak to me after the May Board meeting about the proposals approved by the Board that evening. I’m happy to talk with any of you about concerns that teachers have, however I wonder if these conversations would have been more productive if they would have taken place before items were voted on, rather than after the fact. I received input from a past Faculty Council president, and she gave me the following information which I am going to quote: ‘The Faculty Council was included at every Board meeting. A report from Faculty Council was a part of every Board agenda, and dialogue was very open between the Board and the Faculty Council President. I was included in all discussions of the Board during open part of the meeting, free to ask questions, voice concerns, etcetera, and the Board members often questioned me. This was especially true when changes were suggested. Board members always wanted to ensure the ideas were presented to Faculty Council. Any ideas or presentations to the Board had to have documented proof that the Faculty Council had heard the recommendation and needless to say, curriculum changes were almost always smoother, because Faculty members felt they had a serious, respected voice in the process. We were also lucky to have Boards, Superintendents, and Curriculum Directors who encouraged our input and were not threatened by listening to ideas from teachers. On the other side, there was more respect from the teachers. We still did have our differences, but having mutual respect was surely a win-win. It became clear when that treating teachers with respect and professionalism was a positive move for both sides.’ As you aware, the CEA proposal in the Fall which would allow the Faculty Council President to have more direct involvement in the Board meetings, as was presented has been passed by us, but the Board denied this proposal. The Collective Bargaining agreement between the CEA and the CES95 School Board clearly states, ‘The Faculty Council President shall be the faculty representative at Board meetings except Executive Session.’ The Collective Bargaining Agreement includes over a page of language pertaining to Faculty Council. This language extensively describes the role Faculty Council has in the formulation of policy, procedure, and resolving academic and instructional issues. Academic instructional issues are those that arise from the area of programs, textbook adoption, instruction, instructional space, and in school activities. To the great disappointment of many CES95 teachers, the Board voted on an entire curriculum and assessment proposal at the last Board meeting. This vote was taken without the Faculty Council having any input on many parts of the proposal. In some areas of the proposal, the Faculty Council {.inaudible.} and were completed disregarded. Until CES95 is willing to treat teachers with respect and professionalism as described by the previous Faculty Council president I quoted earlier, teachers will continue to feel unappreciated and seek employment elsewhere. Increase teacher turnover has been proven to lead to decrease student achievement. I hope you will all strive to work together to create an environment where teachers not only seek employment in our District, but feel valued and respected for the professionals that they are. Doing so will help promote a positive relationship, build unity, and lead to long-term commitment to CES95. In the end, this is what’s best for our students and our community. Thank you for your time.”
4. Approval of Agenda
Biggs moved, seconded by Connet, Recommend approving the Agenda
Roll Call: Yes votes: Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major, Pfister No votes: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion carried.
5. Consent Agenda Items
Benyas moved, seconded by Biggs, to approve the following Consent Agenda Items:
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
5.1 Minutes
5.11 Regular – May 26 and June 7, 2016 5.12 Executive – May 26, 2016
Roll Call: Yes votes: Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major, Pfister, Murphy No votes: None Motion carried.
5.2 Financial Reports
5.21 Approval of Bills 5.22 Treasurer’s Report 5.23 Monthly Budget Report 5.24 Schools Activity Fund Reports
FINANCIAL REPORTS
5.3 Communications
5.31 IASB Board member Activities Summary 5.32 Joint Annual Conference Announcement
Roll Call: Yes votes: Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major, Pfister, Murphy No votes: None Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
6. Committee Reports COMMITTEE REPORTS
6.1 President’s Remarks – John Major
• Reported on Joint Annual Conference Announcement this November in Chicago. Board members will need to make arrangements with E. Wilson.
PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
6.2 Committee Reports
6.21 Public Relations Committee – Robert Gallegly
• The Public Relations Committee scheduled for Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 4:00 PM at CES95 Administrative Center.
• The committee cancelled the meeting due to lack of quorum. No business has been conducted.
• Mr. Gallegly has reached out to IDOT on signage for the District that promotes achievements. IDOT will make the signs with no charge to the District for a set period of time. The District will need to draft a letter with the signage details and submitted to City Hall for the Mayor’s approval.
• The next committee meeting has been scheduled for July 19, 2016, 4:00 PM at the CES95 Administrative Center.
6.22 Policy Committee – Roger Pfister
• The Policy Committee met on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 5:00 PM at CES95 Administrative Center
• The committee reviewed the Parent Student Handbook, discussed criteria for appropriate content for the new website, and policy updates.
• The next committee meeting has been scheduled for July 14, 2016, 9:00 AM at the CES95 Administrative Center.
6.3 Administrative/Staff Reports ADMINISTRATIVE/
STAFF REPORTS 6.31 Assistant Superintendent’s Report – Justin M. Miller
Mr. Miller reported the following:
• Furniture needs for the upcoming school year are being assessed.
• Mr. Miller attended an auction in Mt. Vernon to purchase furniture for the District. Total cost was $127.50.
• Transportation has been arranged for Friday to pick up the furniture purchased.
• Surplus technology items will first be made available to community, non-profit, non-religious groups. Any items not claimed will be recycled.
• The District has been contacted by the Fire Department and Park District in preparation for the July 4th fireworks event in Carbondale. Area behind the middle school for use was requested and approved. The back parking lot will be closed that day. The front parking lot will be assessed.
• There are over 75 chairs in storage at the District available for community use for no charge.
6.32 Director of Curriculum/Instruction & Assessment – Colleen Doyle-Parrott
Mrs. Doyle-Parrott reported the following:
• Gave each Board member an ELL data guide composed by teachers and staff within the ELL Bilingual program. Info within the guide will be available to all ELL parents, and the guide will be distributed to families this Fall.
• A grant was received for the Two-Way Immersion program. Laura Silva, Bilingual Instructional Coach, Michelle Martin, and Amy Tyner have worked on the grant this Summer.
• A proposal was submitted to a dual-language education conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico based on designing curriculum on dual- language programming based on the work that was done for this grant. The proposal has been accepted and the work will be presented at the conference.
6.33 Director of Special Student Services – Jerrah Henson
Mrs. Jerrah Henson reported the following:
• Congratulated the Special Education team as ISBE reviewed the 2014-2015 District data and determined the District meets requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).
• The Pre-K program will be pursuing the Award of Excellence for Inclusion. Only 11 districts in the State have received the award. If the District receives the award, it will help to improve the overall goal of increasing inclusive practices in the Pre-K program.
• Ms. Henson will work with staff in submitting a proposal for this award.
6.34 Superintendent’s Report – Michael Shimshak
Mr. Shimshak introduced Dr. Tammy Holmes and Mr. Jimi Bradley for a presentation on the Restorative Practices program at Carbondale Middle School:
• Dr. Holmes described how the Restorative Practices program meets the criteria outlined in Senate Bill 100, which is a requirement by the State.
• The program was put in place to help improve conflict resolution and disciplinary measures at the middle school.
• 352 Students across four classrooms in the 6th-8th grades have participated in restorative conversations
• Meetings were held during lunch periods or by student request.
• Students were not taken out of class for the meetings. A teacher or the Principal often referred students to Dr. Holmes or Mr. Bradley.
• Dr. Holmes and Mr. Bradley worked with faculty to help resolve conflicts with students.
• 17 teachers participated in restorative conversations with students. Conversations were held to allow both parties to talk openly outside a classroom setting.
• Parents and guardians have come in to participate in restorative conflict resolution as well.
• Visits were scheduled bi-monthly to alternative schools to access climate, meet with staff, make recommendations, and measure progress. Home visits were made occasionally.
• Dr. Holmes and Mr. Bradley gave details about their daily work and an example of how they have resolved conflicts.
• District-wide training on restorative practices was offered on October 29, 2015.
• Dr. Holmes and Mr. Bradley discussed the program outlook and goals for the 2016-2017 school year. Both will attend training in October 2016 on skill streaming, student anger control, and moral reasoning.
• A survey on the program was conducted and feedback was shared in the presentation.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
6.35 Enrollment Report - NONE
7. Old Business OLD BUSINESS
7.1 Second Reading and Adoption of the Parent Student Handbook for the 2016-
2017 academic school year.
Pfister moved, seconded by Benyas, Recommend adopting the Parent Student Handbook for the 2016-2017 academic school year.
Voice Vote: Yes votes: Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major, Pfister, Murphy, Benyas No votes: None Motion carried.
8. New Business NEW BUSINESS
8.1 Action on Classified Personnel
8.11 Action on Classified Substitutes - NONE
8.12 Action on Non-Certified and Administrative Staff Increases
Pfister moved, seconded by Gallegly, to table recommendation on non- certified and administrative staff increases.
TABLED
Voice Vote: Yes votes: Gallegly, Major, Pfister, Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet No votes: None Motion tabled.
8.2 Action on Certified Personnel
8.21 Action on Resignation
Pfister moved, seconded by Biggs, Recommend accepting the resignation of Matt Brown as a Special Education Teacher at Thomas School effective June 23, 2016.
Voice Vote: Yes votes: Gallegly, Major, Pfister, Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet No votes: None Motion carried.
8.22 Employment of Special Assignments
Pfister moved, seconded by Gallegly, Recommend the employment of the following Special Assignments for the 2016-2017 school year:
Lewis School Art Club Sponsor – Laura Silva Science Coordinator – Jennifer Liss Elementary Chorus – Pam Leenig Carbondale Middle School 6th
Grade Student Council – Alfred McGowan 7th
Grade Student Council – Catherine Siefert 8th
Grade Student Council – Paula Siefert Conservation Cats – Amber Ragsdale Instrumental Music Sponsor – Shadi Frick Math Counts Sponsor – Ashley Burgener Beta Club Sponsors – Derrick Glenn and Ryan May Cheerleading Sponsor – Keyandra Levy CMS Athletic Director – Kevin Helfrich Head Softball Coach – Onda Karayiannis Head Cross Country Coach – Brent Jackson Assistant Cross Country Coach – Heath Laughard Head Boys Track Coach – Kevin Helfrich Head Girls Track Coach – Brent Jackson Assistant Girls Track Coach – Heath Laughard Head Volleyball Coach – Robin Yancy Head Boys Basketball Coach – Heath Laughard Assistant Boys Basketball Coach – Jimi Bradley Head Girls Basketball Coach – Alfred McGowan Assistant Girls Basketball Coach – Alisha Robinson
Roll Call Vote: Yes votes: Major, Pfister, Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly No votes: None Motion carried.
8.23 Employment of Special Education Aide(s)
Benyas moved, seconded by Connet, Recommend the employment of Cedric Malone as a Pre-K Instructional Aide assigned to Parrish School for the 2016- 2017 school year, pending a clear CBI.
Roll Call Vote: Yes votes: Pfister, Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegy, Major No votes: None Motion carried.
8.24 Employment of District School Nurse
Murphy moved, seconded by Benyas, Recommend the employment of Anita Powers as the District School Nurse, pending a clear CBI.
Roll Call Vote: Yes votes: Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major, Pfister No votes: None Motion carried.
8.25 Employment of Family Consumer Science Teacher
Pfister moved, seconded by Gallegly, to table recommendation of the employment of a Family Consumer Science Teacher.
TABLED
Voice Vote: Yes votes: Pfister, Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major No votes: None Motion tabled.
8.26 Employment of Math Teacher
Benyas moved, seconded by Connet, Recommend the employment of Angela Blumenstock as a Math Teacher assigned to Carbondale Middle School for the 2016-2017 school year, pending a clear CBI.
Roll Call Vote: Yes votes: Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major, Pfister No votes: None Motion carried.
8.27 Employment of Physical Education/Art Teacher
Pfister moved, seconded by Gallegly, to table recommendation for the employment of Physical Education/Art Teacher.
TABLED
Roll Call Vote: Yes votes: Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major, Pfister, Murphy No votes: None Motion tabled.
8.28 Employment of In-School Suspension RTI Teacher
Pfister moved, seconded by Benyas, to table recommendation for the employment of an In-School Suspension RTI Teacher.
TABLED
Voice Vote: Yes votes: Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major, Pfister, Murphy, Benyas No votes: None Motion tabled.
8.29 Employment of Language Arts Teacher
Pfister moved, seconded by Benyas, to table recommendation for a Language Arts Teacher.
TABLED
Voice Vote: Yes votes: Connet, Gallegly, Major, Pfister, Murphy, Benyas, Biggs No votes: None Motion tabled.
8.3 First Reading of IASB New and Updated Policies 8.10 Connection with the Community
NO ACTION REQUIRED
8.4 Action on 2016-2017 Board Meeting Schedule
Benyas moved, seconded by Biggs, Recommend that the 2016-2017 Board Meetings be held on the 4th Thursdays of each month, except for the months of August, November, and December.
Voice Vote: Yes votes: Gallegly, Major, Pfister, Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet No votes: None Motion carried.
8.5 Employment of Independent Consultant
Pfister moved, seconded by Biggs, Recommend the employment of Dr. Tammy Holmes as an Independent Consultant not to exceeed $45,000.
Roll Call Vote: Yes votes: Major, Pfister, Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly No votes: None Motion carried.
8.6 Action on Approving Surplus of Technology Equipment
Pfister moved, seconded by Gallegly, Recommend approving the surplus of technology equipment ot be recycled as presented.
Voice Vote: Yes votes: Pfister, Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major No votes: None Motion carried.
8.7 Action on FY16 Amended Budget
Benyas moved, seconded by Connet, Recommend approving the FY16 Amended Budeget as presented.
Roll Call & Signature Vote: Yes votes: Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly, Major, Pfister No votes: None Motion carried.
9. Next Scheduled Meetings
9.1 Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Thursday, July 14, 2016 Policy Committee Meeting CES95 Administrative Center 925 South Giant City Road Carbondale, IL 62902 9:00 AM
Tuesday, July 19, 2016 Public Relations Committee Meeting CES95 Administrative Center 925 South Giant City Road Carbondale, IL 62902 4:00 PM
Thursday, July 28, 2016 Regular Board Meeting (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) CES95 Administrative Center 925 South Giant City Road Carbondale, IL 62902 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 collecting bargaining, and matters relating to pending litigation. 7:00 PM Reconvene Regular Board Meeting Public Session (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
10. Public Comments – John Major
Mr. Ellis Reed, Carbondale, IL: “Ellis Reed. I like to state that I’m a State and Federal taxpayer. This is on Old Business. I attended the 5-26 District 95 school board meeting, and I saw that the Carbondale NAACP President Ed Dorsey give each school board member a letter stating that ‘the Carbondale, Illinois NAACP calls on the Board to reconsider the termination of Parrish School Assistant Principal Reverend Darryl Cox’. My question is did the District 95 school board members, of the board, reconsider the termination of Parrish School Assistant Principal Darryl Cox?”
Mr. John Major: “Yes, we talked about it.”
Mr. Reed: “And the termination stands?”
Mr. Major: “Yes.”
Mr. Reed: “Second question on the restorative justice—“
Mr. Major: “Can’t hear you. I didn’t hear—you started the question, I didn’t hear you.”
Mr. Reed: “The second question is concerning the restorative justice report that was given. Carbondale NAACP President Ed Dorsey also gave each member a letter stating that the Carbondale NAACP cannot support the Carbondale police in schools program at this time. My question is will the District 95 Carbondale police in elementary schools program be reinstated Fall 2016.”
Mr. Major: “When we did send a letter to the NAACP talking about each item, so we did respond to that. It has been responded to.”
Mr. Reed: “Will it be reinstated in the Fall? Will the program be reinstated?”
Mr. Major: “No.”
Mr. Pfister: “Yes, we haven’t talked—it has not been proposed to us from the city or from anybody to reinstate it, so it has not been reinstated. Doesn’t mean it won’t be in the future, but we haven’t had anybody request that it be reinstated.”
Mr. Reed: “Okay. Thank you.”
11. Adjournment
Pfister moved, seconded by Gallegly, to adjourn at 8:27 PM.
Voice Vote: Yes votes: Major, Pfister, Murphy, Benyas, Biggs, Connet, Gallegly No votes: None Motion carried.
Mr. John Major, President
Mrs. Erinn Murphy, Secretary
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