Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met Sept. 26.
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 September 26, 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, Nichols, Troup and Whitfield; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. 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!
Baldwin PTA – Principal Jim Sohn reported on some of the PTA fundraising and student activities
at Baldwin School.
Good News Report – Public Information Officer Raquel Piazza reported on Homecoming events scheduled this week including the parade, pep rally, football game and dance. Marilyn Smith, family/mentor coordinator, reported on the Lights on Afterschool open house to be held on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at QHS, QJHS and Teen Reach. The events are joining other communities nationwide to celebrate afterschool programs.
Parent Night – Member Arns announced that a parent night will be held at QU Hall of Fame Room featuring national clinical therapist and bestselling author Dr. Jesse Jackson III. This is sponsored by the Human Rights Commission, Quincy Public Schools and Quincy Conference. Quincy Conference will be held October 4 and 5.
Reconvene Adjourned Public Hearing
President Ali reconvened the previously adjourned public hearing on the 2018-2019 District 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 Constitution Day, Common Core, and the Federalist Papers.
Consent Agenda
It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Whitfield to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
a. Treasurer’s Report – August 2018
b. Minutes –August 29, 2018
c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports
d. Agreements with LWT Enterprises (Doc. Reg. No. 3027)
e. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: August 25 through
September 21, 2018 (Information Only)
On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Reports of the Superintendent
1. Transportation Update. Superintendent Webb reported that the after-action review of busing for the new school year shows that planning and communication prior to the start of school is key. With new boundaries and new schools for all K-5 students, some challenges were expected. Transportation Director Shane Barnes and his team worked tirelessly compiling student information and preparing the routes. A good plan was in place, but execution was hard. With over 200 address change calls from parents a day or two before the start of school, there were many last-minute adjustments. He said the district needs to do a better job of communicating to parents the importance of letting us know address changes as soon as possible in the summer months. Overall, the K-5 team and Transportation Department did a good job with a very difficult task. We will work on improving early communication and making changes for next year when we open two more new schools.
2. School Based Health Care. Member Troup reported that the number of students deficient in immunizations has decreased from last year. The QPS nurses have been partnering with the Wellness Express to help reduce the numbers. A PowerPoint was shown on the Chronic Absenteeism Pilot Program. The committee plans to bring more public awareness of student truancy and absenteeism issues. An update on the students and families that are part of hot spotting was presented.
Building Committee
The Building Committee report was presented by Member Troup. An update was presented on the Baldwin and Denman Elementary projects. Improvements to the Blue Devil Gym area is ahead of schedule. The Health Life Safety door project at QJHS is complete. The roof will be completed over the Quincy Conference/Columbus Day break. The committee discussed the concession stand at the QHS baseball field that was removed during renovation and will need to be replaced in the future. Upgrading the Flinn track from six lanes to eight lanes was also discussed.
Curriculum Committee
The Curriculum Committee report was presented by Co-Chairperson Arns. The committee reviewed the 2018-2019 District Improvement Plan and School Improvement Plans as the ESSA School Wide Title I Plan. A new member is recommended for approval by the Board, Jess Thorsen, teacher at Iles and a change in meeting start time to 4:30 p.m. instead of 5:00 p.m.
Curriculum Committee New Member
It was recommended by the Curriculum Committee and moved by Member Arns to approve Jess Thorsen as a member of the Curriculum Committee. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Curriculum Committee Change in Time
It was recommended by the Curriculum Committee and moved by Member Arns to approve changing the Curriculum Committee meeting time to 4:30 p.m. instead of 5:00 p.m. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Finance Committee
Co-Chairperson Nichols presented the Finance Committee report. The committee reviewed the financial reports and check register. Ryan Whicker, Chief of Business Operations, explained the major changes to the 2018-19 District Budget compared to last year’s budget.
Policy Committee
It was recommended by the Policy Committee and moved by Member Bailey to remove from the table and approve the following Revised Press Service Policies:
Policy 4:80 - Accounting and Audits
Policy 4:140 – Waiver of Student Fees
Policy 6:60 – Curriculum Content
Policy 6:135 – Accelerated Placement Program Policy 6:230 – Library Media Program
Policy 6:240 – Field Trips
Policy 6:250 – Community Resource Persons and Volunteers Policy 7:50 – School Admission and Student Transfers
On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Discipline Committee
The Discipline Committee did not meet in September.
Human Relations Committee
The Human Relations Committee report was presented by Chairperson Nichols. The committee learned that the website update is near completion. The before/after school child care is at capacity at all five sites. New software is now being used to track student participation in child care and payment due. The costs and reasons for staff absences is being studied by the committee.
Close Public Hearing
President Ali asked if there were any questions regarding the budgets. Mr. Jeff Kerkhoff asked for clarification that the budget is balanced. Hearing no further questions or comments, President Ali closed the public hearing at 7:05 p.m.
2018-2019 District Budget Amendments
It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Whitfield to approve amendments to the Tentative 2018-2019 District Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3018). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
2018-2019 District Budget
It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali to approve the Tentative 2018-2019 District Budget as the 2018-2019 District Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3018). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Executive Session
At 7:10 p.m., it was moved by Member Ali and seconded by Member Arns 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, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Resumption of Rules
At 8:27 p.m., it was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali to resume the conduct of the regular meeting under rules. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Reject Bid for Washington School
It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Ali to reject the lone bid for Washington School because it did not meet the minimum. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Dewey Vacant Lot
It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali to accept the bid of $60,500 for the Dewey School Vacant Lot. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Personal Property – Dewey and Washington Schools
It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali to accept the bid of $1,540 for personal property at Washington School and the bid of $1,510 for personal property at Dewey School. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Personnel Addendum
It was moved by Member Troup 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, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Adjournment
At 8:40 p.m., it was moved by Member Ali and seconded by Member Whitfield that the regular meeting adjourn. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried. and the regular meeting was duly adjourned.
https://www.qps.org/wp-content/uploads/092618regmnt.pdf
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