Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board met Aug. 29.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Meeting Convened

The Board of Education of School District No. 172, Adams County, Illinois, met in regular session on August 29, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Education Office, Room 214, 1416 Maine Street, Quincy, Illinois, in said school district.

Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by President Ali, who directed the secretary to call the roll. On the call of the roll, the following members were present and answered to their names: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup and Whitfield; and the following members were absent: None. Whereupon the President declared a quorum was present.

Moment of Silence

President Ali declared a moment of silence and reflection. He asked for thoughts and prayers for the Knapheide family following the loss of Harold Knapheide.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Ali.

Focus on Students – Good Things Going On!

United Way. Brad Billings, a volunteer with the United Way of Adams County, told the Board that the goal this year is $1.05 million. He said 40% of United Way funds are spent on education. He said United Way provides funding for sports scholarships, YMCA Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program, Teen Reach and many more. The United Way provided seed money in 2007 for the 7 Covey Habits leadership skills in area schools. He encouraged QPS staff to donate to this year’s campaign. Member Troup commented that United Way is sponsoring the KidzPack Program to provide food for needy students for the weekend.

Lincoln-Douglas PTO – President of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Lincoln-Douglas, Ronda Lenz and several other PTO board members reported on activities and events for the 2018-2019 school year. Fall candy bar sales, special persons day, art center activities, book fairs, and field trips are some of the activities supported by the PTO. On October 12, an event commemorating the 160th anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas debates in Quincy will be held with impersonators and other presentations at the school.

Public Hearing

President Ali opened the public hearing on the 2018-2019 District Budget, 2018-2019 West Central Region Joint Agreement Budget, 2018-2019 QAVTC Budget and the 2018-2019 Special Education Association Budget. There were no comments at this time, but the hearing remained opened until closed later in the meeting.

Questions and Comments

President Ali opened the meeting to questions and comments to members of the Board, by members of the public and employees of the district, in compliance with state statutes.

Jeff Kerkhoff distributed some information and commented on several topics including liberal bias before college, a National Youth Leadership Forum on STEM this summer in Chicago and celebrating the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution of the United States.

Consent Agenda

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Troup to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

a. Treasurer’s Report – July 2018

b. Minutes –July 25 and August 3, 2018

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: July 21 through August 24, 2018 (Information Only)

On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Reports of the Superintendent

1. Start of School Year. Superintendent Webb said the new school year is off to a great start. He thanked all staff for their extra time and effort and said he is extremely proud of everyone involved. There are new schools, new staff, new boundaries, and new routes. A plan was in place and well implemented. The Board’s vision has been executed and balanced socioeconomic demographics among the five elementary schools has been achieved measured by the number of students who qualify for free/reduced lunch, race/ethnicity, and number of students with IEPs. The K-5 learning communities will provide improved educational outcomes and opportunities for all students K-5. He said there were some glitches the first couple days with the bus routes which was expected. A typical year requires helping kindergarten students become familiar with their bus route and drivers, but this year all 3,000 elementary kids didn’t know their route and didn’t know their bus driver. It was a monumental task and Transportation Director Shane Barnes and his department are to be commended for their efforts and hard work.

2. School Based Health Care. Member Troup reported that the Wellness Express had its first scheduled event at Lincoln-Douglas School on August 20 and saw 11 students. More dates have been scheduled for Back-to-School and Curriculum nights to provide physicals. Students needing immunizations will be referred to the Adams County Health Department. The Advisory Committee heard an update on the hot-spotting efforts and identified policy/practice changes needed in the community to promote school attendance. The committee continues to discuss additional funding options.

3. Thank You from Rooney Family. Member Nichols shared a letter from Dr. Anne Boland, Dr. Rooney’s great-granddaughter. She thanked the Board and community for inviting the family to be a part of the Dr. Abbey Fox Rooney dedication. Dr. Boland wrote that Quincy is a caring city and is very devoted to education and children.

Building Committee

The Building Committee report was presented by Chairperson McNay. An update on the building projects was presented. The Health Life Safety doors project at Junior High is complete and the roof project will likely be completed during the Columbus Day holiday.

Curriculum Committee

The Curriculum Committee report was presented by Chairperson Bailey. The committee heard a report on summer school and Reading Recovery for 2017-2018. The QJHS Discovery Education Social Studies Techbook Pilot and the QJHS Grading Practices Proposal were recommended for approval by the Curriculum Committee.

QJHS Curriculum Proposal

It was recommended by the Curriculum Committee and moved by Member Bailey to approve the QJHS Discovery Education Social Studies Techbook Pilot. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

QJHS Grading Practices

It was recommended by the Curriculum Committee and moved by Member Bailey to approve the QJHS Grading Practices Proposal. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Finance Committee

Chairperson McNay presented the Finance Committee report. The committee reviewed the financial reports and check register. The hearing on the 2018-19 District Budget will be reopened and approved at the September Board meeting.

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee reviewed the Policy Service Press Updates for May/June 2018. Chairperson Bailey reported that Policy 8:30 – Visitors to and Conduct on School Property was also discussed. The Press Updates for May/June 2018 will lay on the table until the next Board meeting.

Discipline Committee

Chairperson Arns reported that PBIS Coordinator Tracy Bugh presented the 2017-2018 student discipline report at the August Discipline Committee meeting. There were some increases in referrals over last year due to teachers documenting incidents differently and shifting to use office discipline referrals as a restorative practice and teaching tool. The additional student support positions at the K-5 level will have a positive impact on the younger students and at the secondary level long term. The Discipline Committee will meet quarterly. The next meeting is November 26 at 4:00 p.m.

Human Relations Committee

The Human Relations Committee report was presented by Chairperson Nichols. The committee viewed a demonstration of an updated HR website page, heard a report on before and after school child care, discussed hiring/retaining staff and staff attendance.

Close Public Hearing

President Ali asked if there were any questions regarding the budgets. Mr. Jeff Kerkhoff asked if the QAVTC and Special Education budgets are balanced, and it was confirmed that they are balanced. Hearing no further questions, President Ali closed the public hearing on the West Central Region, QAVTC and Special Education budgets at 7:00 p.m.

2018-2019 District Budget - Approve in September

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali to approve tabling approval of the Tentative 2018-2019 District Budget, and adjourn the public hearing, to be reconvened at the meeting on September 26 at 6:00 p.m. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

2018-2019 West Central Region Budget

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali to approve the Tentative 2018-2019 West Central Region Budget as the 2018-2019 West Central Region Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3014). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

2018-2019 Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Ali to approve the Tentative 2018-2019 QAVTC Budget as the 2018-2019 QAVTC Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3013). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

2018-2019 Special Education Association

It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Bailey to approve the Tentative 2018- 2019 Special Education Association Budget as the 2018-2019 Special Education Association Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3019). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Additional Hazardous Busing Routes

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Whitfield to approve additional Hazardous Busing Routes for Rooney and Iles Schools. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Policy 2:260 Grievance

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali to affirm the Superintendent’s decision regarding the Policy 2:260 grievance filed by Brandy Neiswender. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Executive Session

At 7:10 p.m., it was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali that the Board suspend the rules and go into executive session to discuss: a) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the School District; b) collective negotiating matters between the School District and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees; d) the sale or lease of property owned by the District; g) student disciplinary cases; i) pending, probable, or imminent litigation; and j) attorney/client privilege. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Resumption of Rules

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Whitfield to resume the conduct of the regular meeting under rules. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Personnel Addendum

It was moved by Member Ali and seconded by Member Whitfield to approve the Revised Personnel Addendum. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member vote Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Adjournment

At 8:05 p.m., it was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Bailey that the regular meeting adjourn. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried. and the regular meeting was duly adjourned.

https://www.qps.org/wp-content/uploads/082918regmnt.pdf