Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board met July 24.

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 July 24, 2019, 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, and Troup; and the following members were absent: Members McNay and Whitfield. 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!

Superintendent Webb reported that on July 19, he accepted an ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) Award at Scott Air Force Base on behalf of the school district. He said the district does its best to honor Veterans and the military. He said it was an honor to receive the award for the district.

The new season of Queer Eye is available on Netflix. Superintendent Webb said the first episode features QPS Music Director Kathi Dooley and highlights QHS and the Quincy community. Former QPS student Jonathan VanNess is one of the cast members.

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 Next Generation Science Standards and Constitution Day.

Consent Agenda

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

a. Treasurer’s Report – June 2019

b. Minutes –June 26 and July 15, 2019

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: June 22 through July 19, 2019 (Information Only)

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

Reports of the Superintendent

1. Career Ladder. Personnel Director Lisa Otten presented a career ladder diagram. The ladder is a visual for potential career paths to leadership for QPS. The outline of career steps is for academic and support staff. She said that some steps may require additional education, and some do not. Likewise, some of the steps include an increase in salary and some do not. President Ali said the career ladder will help in recruiting staff members to QPS.

2. Curriculum Maps. Kim Dinkheller, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment reported to the Board on newly-updated K-5 curriculum maps. She said the maps are more concise and outline the scope and sequence for specific grade levels. It frames what is to be taught but not how it is taught. Teachers use their individual skills, training, creativity and expertise to teach the students in their classroom. Member Arns said the maps give teachers freedom to find resources that speak to them, fit their teaching style and moves the focus past solely a textbook.

Building Committee

The Building Committee report was presented by Co-Chair Troup. Baldwin and Denman Elementary projects are near completion. The ROE walk-through for both buildings is Monday, July 29. An update on other Health Life Safety Projects was presented. The QJHS gym floor and locker room are almost finished. There will be some delays with the JH curtain rigging and acoustical shell. There are also some delays with the new track at Flinn. Other arrangements will need to be made for team practices that begin the week of August 12. Baldwin gym balcony railings are done and ECFC doors are almost complete. The transportation facility parking lot will be completed prior to the start of school.

Finance Committee

Chief of Business Operations Ryan Whicker presented the monthly financial update and cash summary report to the committee. He reported to the committee on the 2019-2020 tentative budget, which was prepared with a conservative approach regarding revenues and expenditures. He noted that the budget would be fluid for the next couple of months, as some large revenue figures are not yet available. He said the assumptions for the tentative budget include that the district receives an additional $320,000 in Evidence Based Funding, Corporate Property Replacement Tax remains level, and that the district receives the equivalent of a full year’s worth of state mandated categorical payments. The budget incorporates a 2% increase in salaries, and a 6% increase in health insurance. Approximately $978,000 has been added this year to cover salary and benefits for new support staff positions. Some of those positions include 12 paraprofessionals and six school support and family liaisons to work mainly with social-emotional needs of students and families. This is the second year in a row that we have ended the year with a good surplus. Mr. Whicker said the Education Fund finished with a $2.1 million surplus, due in part to holding the line on expenses throughout the year. The Board will adopt the budget at the September 25 Board meeting following a public hearing. The bids for bread and produce for the 2019-2020 school year were presented. There was not a quorum at the meeting.

2019-2020 Bread and Produce Bids

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Arns to approve the lowest bids for bread and produce: Bread from Kohl Wholesale at a cost of $45,817.22 and produce to Central Illinois Produce at a cost of $1.50 for full case and $1.00 for broken case (Doc. Reg. No. 3095). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, and Troup; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Members McNay and Whitfield. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

2019-2020 Tentative District Budget

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Troup to approve the Resolution on Presentation of the Tentative 2019-2020 Quincy School District Budget and set hearing date as September 25, 2019 (Doc. Reg. No. 3096). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, and Troup; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Members McNay and Whitfield. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

2019-2020 Tentative Special Education Association Budget

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Ali to approve the Resolution on Presentation of the Tentative 2019-2020 Special Education Association Budget and set hearing date as August 28, 2019 (Doc. Reg. No. 3097). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, and Troup; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Members McNay and Whitfield. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Substitute Pay Increase

It was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member Bailey to approve the pay for substitute teachers, paraeducators and clerical as presented (Doc. Reg. No. 3098). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, and Troup; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Members McNay and Whitfield. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Pay Increase Before and After School Child Care Workers

It was moved by Member Nichols and seconded by Member Arns to approve increase in pay for before and after school child care workers as presented (Doc. Reg. No. 3099). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, Nichols, and Troup; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Members McNay and Whitfield. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Executive Session

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Troup 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, and Troup; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Members McNay and Whitfield. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Resumption of Rules

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Arns 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, and Troup; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Members McNay and Whitfield. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Personnel Addendum

It was moved by Member Troup 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, Nichols, and Troup; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Members McNay and Whitfield. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Adjournment

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

https://www.qps.org/wp-content/uploads/072419regmnt1.pdf