Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board met Nov. 28.

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 November 28, 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 member was absent: None. Whereupon the President declared a quorum was present.

Moment of Silence

President Ali declared a moment of silence and reflection.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Ali.

Focus on Students – Good Things Going On!

Iles PTA – Jeann Morrison, Regional Director, presented the Iles PTA report. A back-to-school meal was held with the Quincy University baseball team helping. Many parents attended the family read night and book fair. Papa John’s Pizza and Scotties Skate Nights were also held. Santa will be visiting students in December. Spring fund raisers are being planned.

Good News Report – Public Information Officer Raquel Piazza reported that QAVTC will host their annual QJHS tour of classroom and facilities from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on December 7th and 14th. Also, on Dec. 14th they will host the first ever Business Tours of QAVTC from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. This will provide an opportunity for local businesses to tour our facilities, learn more about our programs, and discuss how we can better partner together to meet their needs.

Open Public Hearing - Repairs

President Ali opened the public hearing on whether there is a substantial, immediate, and otherwise unavoidable threat to the health, safety or welfare of pupils of the District due to disrepair of school sidewalks, playgrounds, parking lots, or school bus turnaround at school buildings, specifically including, but not limited to, the front entrance to Quincy Junior high School and the Transportation Building parking lot, and whether repairs must be made there to. There were no comments at this time, but the hearing remained opened until closed later in the meeting.

Open Public hearing – Waiver Administrative Cost Cap

President Ali opened the public hearing on the Resolution to Waive the Administrative Cost Cap Provisions of the School Code for 2018-2019.

Chief of Business Operations Ryan Whicker explained that the School Code requires the Board hold a public hearing and approve a resolution to waive the cost cap limitation if administrative expenditures exceed 5% over last year. The increase above 5% is due to a change in accounting requirements. Salaries and benefits for the School Administration Managers (SAMs) were moved to the administrative accounting code. Those positions were previously charged to the teacher accounting code but needed to be moved to comply with state guidelines. 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 spoke about the activities held in the schools to celebrate Veterans’ Day. He distributed some information and commented on a U.S. History Crash Course, social justice indoctrinations in math class, and the Progressive Movement in America.

Consent Agenda

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

a. Treasurer’s Report – October 2018

b. Minutes –October 24, October 25, and November 12, 2018

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: October 20 through November 20, 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. Drawings for United Way, QPS Foundation and Perfect Attendance. The staff winners of dinner with Superintendent Webb and his wife Trisha are Cindy Latour—QPS Foundation contribution, Jennifer Lawless—United Way donation and Karen Wuestenfeld—perfect attendance 1st quarter.

2. School Based Health Care. Member Troup presented some information on the federal poverty guidelines for free and reduced lunch recipients and the audit process. The district has just under 60% of students free or reduced. Privacy issues prohibit any evaluation or follow-up with families. The Advisory Committee reviewed information on the state Healthy and Thriving Youth Grant received by the district for $75,000. Most of the funds will be used for 1.5 Community Health Worker positions to increase the hot spotting efforts with more families.

3. Competency-Based Education (CBE). Sheldon Bailey, Curriculum Committee Chairman, reported on the Competency-Based Education Pilot Advisory Team that met on November 27. The district will be submitting a tentative multi-year implementation plan to ISBE by December 1. CBE will provide flexible paths and flexible graduation requirements. QHS currently has two options; honors and traditional credit. With CBE, students will be able to show mastery and skill application through college courses, application on work sites, and on-line learning opportunities. Competency will not be measured just by test scores and time spent in a seat. The engagement of students will be much higher and not just checking off courses completed. There will be better understanding of student learning and where students are headed. Professional Learning Communities (PLC) teams will work on the identification of competencies next year through selected PLC teams. Member Bailey explained that the CBE also provides more flexibility for hiring staff. Teachers who are working on their Illinois teaching certification may be hired for positions while they are on a progressive plan to complete their professional license. Three staff members have been hired under the CBE requirements in special education positions which are hard to fill.

Building Committee

The Building Committee report was presented by Chairperson McNay. An update was presented on the Baldwin and Denman Elementary projects. The committee reviewed a proposal to replace the stage and fire rigging and stage and window curtains at QJHS. The Building Committee recommended holding public hearings to use Health Life Safety fund to repairs and renovate the front entrance at QJHS and the parking lot at the Transportation facility. The committee also recommended the repair of the Flinn Track and the upgrade to eight lanes, pending ISBE approval.

Repair and Upgrade to Flinn Track

It was recommended by the Building Committee moved by Member McNay that the track at Flinn Stadium be repaired and upgraded pending ISBE approval. 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.

Curriculum Committee

The Curriculum Committee did not meet in November.

Finance Committee

Chairperson McNay reported that the Finance Committee meeting was cancelled due to weather.

Approve Finance Committee Member

It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Nichols to approve Blake Mock as a new member of the Finance Committee. Board policy 2:150 allows up to eight community members on the Finance Committee. Mr. Mock is the seventh member. 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 Committee

The Policy Committee did not meet in November.

Discipline Committee

The Discipline Committee meeting was cancelled due to weather and will be rescheduled in December.

Human Relations Committee

The Human Relations Committee report was presented by Chairperson Nichols. The committee heard a report on case load management and special education requirements and the before/after school child care program. The committee discussed utilizing retired teachers to gather input from teachers on attendance, morale and workload.

Close Public Hearing

President Ali asked if there were any questions regarding the Health Life Safety Funding Request and the Waiver of the Administrative Cost Cap Provisions. Mr. Kerkhoff asked for clarification regarding the waiver for the administrative cap. He also asked about the Flinn Stadium Track repair public hearing held last month. President Ali closed the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.

Resolution Authorizing Health Life Safety Funding

It was moved by Member Nichols and seconded by Member Troup to approve the Resolution Authorizing Health Life Safety Funding Request and Authorization for repair of the front entrance to Quincy Junior High School and the Transportation Building parking lot (Doc. Reg. No. 3045). 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.

Resolution Administrative Cost Cap Waiver

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Arns to approve the Resolution to Waive Administrative Cost Cap Provision of the School Code for 2018-2019 (Doc. Reg. No. 3046). 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.

Resolution Regarding Estimated Amounts Necessary to be Levied for 2018

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member McNay to approve the Regarding Estimated Amount Necessary to be Levied for 2018 and direct compliance with the Truth in Taxation (Doc. Reg. No. 3047). 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.

Resolution Establishing Utility Easement – 42nd Street/Harrison Property

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali to approve the Resolution Establishing Utility Easement – 42nd Street/Harrison Property (Doc. Reg. No. 3048). 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.

Licensed Realtor for QAVTC Properties

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member McNay to approve Davis and Associates Realtors to sell the QAVTC Building Trades Home and Lots (Doc. Reg. No. 3049). 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.

Title 1 School Improvement Grant 1003a

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Nichols to approve submission of the Title 1 School Improvement Grant 1003a. 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.

Student Discipline

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Whitfield to adopt the recommendation regarding pre-expulsion agreements for two QHS students and one QJHS student. 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.

Personnel Addendum

It was moved by Member Ali and seconded by Member McNay 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 voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Adjournment

At 7:13 p.m., it was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member McNay 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/112818regmnt.pdf