Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met Sept. 11.

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 25, 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, 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 family of QPS bus driver Sean Glidewell who recently died.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Attorney Penn.

Focus on Students – Good Things Going On!

Public Information Officer Bob Gough reported on the QPS Mentor Kick-Off luncheon. He said the mentor program started in 1994 and is funded by the QPS Foundation. There were over 100 mentors at the recent luncheon. Tracy Bugh, Mentor Coordinator, invited others to become a mentor to a child. She said there is always room for more.

QHS PTA President Stephanie Barbagiovanni reported on Senior High PTA activities including a staff appreciation breakfast at the start of school and teacher grants. Spirit Wear sales are coming up and also the National Reflections Art Competition for students.

Open Public Hearing

President Ali opened the public hearing on the 2019-2020 Quincy Public School District Budget. There were no comments at this time, but the hearing remained open for comments 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 commented on an article he distributed on social emotional learning, child indoctrination and social justice movements.

Consent Agenda

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

a. Treasurer’s Report – August 2019

b. Minutes –August 28, 2019

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Music Students Trip – Disney World, Florida

e. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: August 24 through September 20, 2019 (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 members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Reports of the Superintendent

1. Start of School. Superintendent Webb said school has been back in session just over a month and it has been an excellent start. He has heard many great comments on how smooth the transition to the two new buildings has been. He told staff to thank the principals who put in extra time to make sure there was a smooth start. For the most part, construction was on time and ready to go. Superintendent Webb said that Dane Barnes and his team did an amazing job moving everyone into the new Baldwin and Denman Schools. There are just a few punch list items to be completed at the two new schools. The curtains and acoustical shell at the junior high auditorium will be installed in early October. Staff positions are 100% filled thanks to work by Director of Personnel Lisa Otten. The Competency Based Education Program has helped in filling positions. This program allows college grads with a competency in core teaching subjects like math or science to teach for two years while working on completing teacher certification. There are 11 teachers in the program. Support and guidance are provided, and some are in co-teaching positions. There has been positive feedback from teachers on the new curriculum maps prepared by Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Kim Dinkheller. The maps are easy to follow for new teachers and detailed enough for all staff. Student discipline is one area of concern. Ninety-five percent QPS students do great. They are engaged and learning. For five percent, there are some social-emotional concerns and mental health issues that teachers deal with in the classroom. Superintendent Webb has scheduled a discipline summit during Quincy Conference to work with assistant principals and social emotional SAMS to develop a plan to address these concerns.

2. School Based Health Care. Member Troup presented the School Based Health Care Committee report. The new Community Health Worker (CHW) Kendall Passmore has been added to the committee. CHW Chris Gaeble presented an update on current hot spotting families. An additional $75,000 grant for the program has been received from the Tracy Foundation. There was some discussion regarding consequences for chronically truant students. Nursing Director Brandy Kirby updated the committee on students who are deficient in required immunizations and physical exams. The committee viewed two storytelling videos that were revised from last month.

Building Committee

The Building Committee report was presented by Chairperson McNay. An update of punch list items for Denman and Baldwin was reviewed. Information was provided on Health Life Safety Projects.

District Improvement Committee

Co-Chairperson Shelley Arns presented the report on the District Improvement Committee meeting. Each school’s principal or director reported on student achievement, teacher retention, 5Essentials Survey, and hot rocks (issues to highlight or address). She said some community members will be added to the committee at next month’s board meeting.

Finance Committee

Chairperson McNay presented the Financial Committee report. The committee reviewed the monthly financial update, cash flow summary, check registers, and junior high/senior high activity funds. Chief of Business Operations, Ryan Whicker, told the committee that the balanced budget includes a 2% increase in salaries, 6% increase in health insurance and over $600,000 was added to hire 23 full-time support staff.

Policy Committee

It was moved by Member Whitfield and seconded by Member Bailey to removed from the table and adopt June 2019 Policy Service Revisions:

Policy 2:110 – Qualifications, Term and Duties of Board Officers

Policy 2:140 – Communications to and from the Board

Policy 2:230 – Public Participation at School Board Meetings/Petitions to the Board Policy 4:20 – Fund Balances

Policy 6:40 – Curriculum Development

Policy 6:340 – Student Testing and Assessment Program

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

Close Public Hearing

President Ali asked if there were any questions regarding the 2019-2020 District Budget. Mr. Kerkhoff asked some questions about the 6% increased cost of benefits and grant money received. Hearing no further questions or comments, President Ali closed the pubic hearing at 6:40 p.m.

2019-2020 District Budget

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Arns to approve the 2019-2020 District Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3096). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Troup and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Executive Session

The Board did not go into Executive Session.

Student Discipline

It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Troup to adopt the recommendation regarding pre-expulsion agreement for one ABC Academy student and four ACRSS students. 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 Bailey 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

It was moved by Member McNay 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, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried and the regular meeting was duly adjourned.

https://www.qps.org/wp-content/uploads/092519egmnt.pdf