Corey Cawthon

The meeting commenced with an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, student discipline, collective bargaining, and pending litigation. Key agenda items included the approval of the overall agenda and the Consent Agenda, which covered minutes from a previous date, financial reports, and communications. Committee reports detailed significant updates on building renovations, specifically the 216 E. Main building renovation nearing completion, progress on CMS and Parrish Resource Centers, ongoing foundation issues at the Thomas building, development of the Parrish playground vision, and approval from the city for the Parrish parking lot bid announcement. The Policy Committee reviewed and recommended policies for a first reading. Administrative reports highlighted increased enrollment in the Birth-to-3 program, the transition to online developmental screenings (ASQ), the planned launch of Family Resource Centers, and a forthcoming recommendation for an MOU with Timberview Wellness Center due to current mental health providers being at capacity. The Chief School Business Official reported closing out December at the fiscal mid-point, with revenues collected at 69% and expenditures expended at 49%. The Curriculum and Instruction updates focused on curriculum map revisions for math and ELA at various schools, upcoming standardized testing schedules (Star Winter Benchmark, ACCESS, IAR, ISA), and a plan to seek approval for an additional 5th-grade teaching position due to enrollment growth. The Superintendent publicly announced her resignation effective June 30, 2026. The Faculty Council expressed ongoing concerns regarding the need for supplemental Special Education curricula and the lack of adequate classroom space due to student population growth. New business included first readings of numerous policies, approval of several personnel actions such as resignations and employments for classified and certified staff, approval of the Discipline Improvement Plan, and approval of an MOU with Timber View Wellness Center.

The document outlines the schedule of upcoming meetings for the Board of Education. Scheduled meetings include a Special Board Meeting (Executive Session Only) on March 16, 2026, a Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee Meeting on March 17, 2026, a Building and Transportation Meeting on March 19, 2026, a Foundation Board Meeting on March 26, 2026, and a Regular Board Meeting (Open to the Public) also on March 26, 2026. The Regular Board Meeting proceedings included moving into Executive Session at 6:05 PM to discuss personnel matters, student discipline, collective bargaining, and pending litigation, followed by reconvening the public session at 7:00 PM.

The agenda for this meeting includes roll call, a motion to enter Executive Session for personnel matters, student discipline, collective bargaining, and pending litigation, followed by public comments. Key items include the approval of the Consent Agenda covering minutes, financial reports (bills, treasurer's, revenue, expenditure, and activity fund reports), and communications. Old Business involves a second reading and voice vote on several Press Policies concerning grading, promotion, board member development, fiscal management, and employment. New Business addresses personnel actions including resignations, employment, and retirement notifications for classified and certified staff, as well as actions regarding a Beta Club field trip, math curriculum, and Renaissance Learning Products.

The regular board meeting included an executive session for discussing performance, evaluation, compensation of personnel, student discipline, collective bargaining, and pending litigation. A public hearing on the FY26 Tax Levy was held, detailing a proposed 4.99% increase with an estimated tax rate of $4.15. Key agenda items involved approving the agenda, the consent agenda (including minutes from November 13, 2025, and financial reports), and various administrative staff reports. The Assistant Superintendent of Student Services highlighted significant progress in community schools initiatives, including referral management, food distribution efforts, and new partnerships. The Chief School Business Official reported zero findings on the FY25 audit, maintaining a financial profile score of 4.0. Actions included approving the resolution to abate property taxes for the 2021 bond series, approving the district audit report, approving a professional service agreement with American Institutes for Research for a needs assessment at Carbondale Middle School, approving an agreement with Illinois College for student teaching, appointing new legal counsel effective January 1, 2026, and approving a settlement agreement for pending litigation case number 2025LA69. Personnel actions included approving resignations and employments for classified and certified staff, as well as approving special assignments and after-school tutor positions.

The meeting agenda included a motion to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, including performance, compensation, student discipline, collective bargaining, and pending litigation, with no decisions made therein. Key public items included the approval of the Agenda and the Consent Agenda, which covered the approval of previous minutes (December 18, 2025, Regular and Executive sessions), financial reports (bills, treasurer's, revenue, expenditure, and activity fund reports), and communications. Committee reports were scheduled, along with Old Business. New Business consisted primarily of the first reading of numerous Press Policies for review, including grading, promotion, board member development, fiscal management, EEO, staff development, and student conduct. Action items were also scheduled for classified personnel (resignations, employment of paraprofessionals, technology paraprofessionals, after-school paraprofessionals, classified substitutes, and custodial staff) and certified personnel (resignations, employment of faculty, special assignments, after-school tutors, and retirement notifications). Additionally, actions concerning a Memorandum of Understanding with Timber View Wellness Center and a Discipline Improvement Plan were listed.