Quincy Public School District 172 Board met Dec. 19.
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 December 19, 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!
District 8 PTA – Jeann Morrison, District 8 PTA Director, reported on the National Reflections Program for student entries in the areas of art, literacy, photography and others. She said school PTAs are initiating more family programs and encouraging more male role models in the schools. Board Member Troup suggested that Quincy University fraternities could be contacted to recruit males to work with junior high students.
Quincy Conference Report – Board Member Arns, who was a co-director for Quincy Conference, reported that over 2,000 educators attended this year’s conference on October 4 and 5. Several nationally and internationally known speakers along with local educators were presenters. There was a vast amount of high-quality breakout sessions for teachers to choose from to meet their needs and those of their students. The conference is made possible in part through a grant provided through the Regional Office of Education. Educators in the counties covered by ROE#1 attend the conference at no charge but there were many outside districts who paid to attend. Other Quincy Conference co-directors were Emily Pool, Michaela Fray, and Airen O’Cheltree. Member Arns thanked custodial, technology, and all the other staff who helped make the conference a success. A video of conference highlights was shown.
Re-Dedication – Quincy Junior High School
Member Troup said a re-dedication at QJHS is being planned to honor Dr. Melinda Knapheide Germann. During the search for naming the new K-5 elementary school, Mrs. Joye Anderson provided much information on Dr. Germann. She was a graduate of Quincy College of Medicine and was further educated in Europe. She was on staff at Blessing Hospital from 1901 to 1936 and taught obstetrics to nursing students. Her two children also became doctors. She was the first woman elected to the Board of Education, serving from 1912 to 1929. Dr. Germann was on the Board when the QJHS building was constructed as Quincy High School. There will be an exhibit area in the Junior High lobby displaying her picture, diplomas, and other memorabilia to honor this early leader of education in Quincy.
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 commented on the 227th anniversary of the Bill of Rights. He spoke on the indoctrination of students and provided two articles on the topic.
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 – November 2018
b. Minutes –November 28, 2018
c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports
d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: November 21 to December
14, 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. Defining a School Day. ISBE has changed the definition of an attendance day to allow school districts flexibility based on students’ needs. Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act (ESSA) made sweeping changes to education funding in Illinois. The funding is based on student enrollment rather than attendance. Superintendent Webb said a five-hour attendance day is no longer required. Districts may define student engagement and learning differently, such as through a combination of classroom instruction, online instruction, independent research projects, work-based learning, and internships. Students are in attendance when they are participating in learning—anywhere and anytime. District calendars must include 176 instructional days. Quincy will count the two half-days and one full day of parent/teacher conferences as attendance days because they are student-led conferences. QPS will not make any drastic changes just yet. There will likely be legislation next spring from ISBE to further define the attendance day. Superintendent Webb recommends that the District keep the status quo for next year’s calendar.
2. School Based Health Care. Member Troup reported that a grant request will be submitted to the Tracy Family Foundation to fund additional community health workers to assist more families through Hot Spotting. This initiative, in partnership with SIU School of Medicine, helps families struggling with issues that lead to truancy. Two additional workers will be hired the first of the year to expand the program. There is also a new Healthy Community Investment Grant that has been released but only non-school, community groups are eligible to apply.
3. Competency-Based Education (CBE). Sheldon Bailey, Curriculum Committee Chairman, reported that there will be approximately 30 students enrolled next semester in JWCC dual credit courses. Unlike previous dual credit courses, the QHS students will attend the classes on the JWCC campus, not just receive the credit by attending at the high school. To receive the college credit, students will have to pay the JWCC tuition.
Building Committee
The Building Committee report was presented by Chairperson McNay. An update was presented on the Baldwin and Denman Elementary projects and the 10-year Health Life Safety programs. The committee recommended moving forward with the sound absorption panels for the Lincoln- Douglas, Iles and Rooney gymnasiums. The rigging and curtain contract for QJHS has been tabled pending updated bids.
Sound Absorption Panels
It was recommended by the Building Committee and moved by Member McNay to approve the proposal from G&S Architectural Products to add sound absorption panels to the gymnasiums at Lincoln-Douglas, Iles and Rooney at an approximate total cost of $62,655. 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 report was presented by Chairperson Bailey. The committee reviewed proposals for additional courses at QAVTC and QHS. Diesel Tech I/II, CDL Unit will provide an additional career pathway for QAVTC students. AP Biology and Project Lead the Way Introduction to Biomedical and Human Body Systems are recommended to be added at QHS. The District Strategic Dashboard was presented to the committee. The Dashboard can be found on the district’s website at qps.org by searching “dashboard.” The Dashboard provides information on district characteristics such as class size, enrollment, low income and IEP percentages. The site provides more in-depth information than the ISBE Report Card and modifications can be made as needed. It is a way for QPS to highlight successes.
New Course Proposals
It was recommended by the Curriculum Committee and moved by Member Bailey to approve the following course additions:
• Diesel Tech, I/II, CDL Unit – QAVTC
• AP Biology – QHS
• PLTW Introduction to Biomedical and Human Body Systems – QHS
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 2018 Tax Levy was discussed and information provided on the application for the Property Tax Relief Grants. Mr. Whicker explained that the State Board will provide up to $50 million in property tax relief grants to eligible school districts. It is unlikely QPS would be awarded this grant, as other Illinois school districts with tax rates upward of $6- $8 would be first to receive this funding. QPS’s combined tax rate is estimated to be just below $4.
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee reviewed Policy 8:30 which addresses ejecting persons who engage in conduct that is prohibited at school events. The current policy provides options if visitors are disorderly, uncivil, or disrespectful. Chairperson Bailey said the committee reviewed the Policy Service Press Updates for October/November 2018 which will be laid on the table for 30 days.
Discipline Committee
Chairperson Arns presented the Discipline Committee report. Discipline data for first quarter was reviewed.
Human Relations Committee
The Human Relations Committee did not meet in December.
Risk Management
It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Whitfield to approve the Resolution Regarding Risk Management Program (Doc. Reg. No. 3050). 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 Tax Levy
It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Arns to approve the Resolution to Establish 2018 Tax Levy (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.
Property Tax Relief Grant
It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member McNay to approve submission of the Property Tax Relief Grant. 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.
Tracy Family Foundation Grant
It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Bailey to approve submission of the Tracy Family Foundation Grant for Additional Community Health Workers. 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 7:02 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
At 7:35 p.m., it was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Troup 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, 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 Whitfield and seconded by Member Bailey to adopt the recommendation regarding pre-expulsion agreements for one QHS student 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 McNay and seconded by Member Arns 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 7:45 p.m., it was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Ali 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/121918regmnt.pdf
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