Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board met Nov. 20.

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 20, 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.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Ali.

Focus on Students – Good Things Going On!

Good News Report. Public Information Officer Bob Gough reported that Iles 5th grade teacher Dave Brown won a pair of grants from the Illinois Farm Bureau’s charitable foundation. The grants are for agricultural education and communication, which fits in with Iles Elementary and its rural location. Agricultural education provides Illinois educators and students with resources that help them understand the role of agriculture in their daily lives and society. Mr. Brown was one of 104 teachers in Illinois to receive the award.

Denman PTA. PTA President Lindsay Myers reported on PTA activities at Denman including a Back to School meal for students and parents where curriculum information was shared. Books were provided to teachers and students. This fall’s fundraiser raised over $11,000 for student and teacher needs. Mrs. Myers thanked the Board for the wonderful new building.

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.

Mr. Kerkhoff congratulated the Board and staff for zero findings on the audit. He handed out some information and spoke on a math ethnic study, diversity and gender pandering, and socialism.

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 – October 2019

b. Minutes –October 23 and October 29, 2019

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: October 19 through November 15, 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. IASB Board Member Awards. Board Members Jim Whitfield, Mike Troup, and Sheldon Bailey received Illinois Association of School Boards Master Board Member awards. The awards are recognition for the time and effort devoted to leadership activities and service to the public education community.

2. Closed POD. Mr. Webb reported on a request from the Adams County Health Department to serve as a point of dispensing, or POD, in case of emergency. A closed POD is not open to the public but is operated by private organizations with staff trained to dispense medications to residents, staff, staff family members and clients. If, for example, some sort of mass immunization would be needed in Quincy, the more existing closed PODs that can be utilized, more of the general public can be immunized in a quicker fashion. The county has several closed PODs in place, but QPS will be one of the larger ones.

3. School Based Health Care. Member Troup presented the School Based Health Care Committee report. One of the Trust Videos was shown. Three videos have been produced to be shown to various groups to inform the community about the Trust Program to address chronic truancy and wellbeing of students. Through this hot spotting program, case workers build trusting relationships with chronically absent students and families to help eliminate barriers to student attendance.

Building Committee

The Building Committee report was presented by Chairperson McNay. An update of punch list items for Denman and Baldwin was presented. The 2020 Health Life Safety Work list was reviewed. There is no Building and Grounds Committee meeting scheduled in December.

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. Ryan Whicker, Chief of Business Operations, reported that the 2019 tentative tax levy for 2019 calls for the tax rate to drop by just over 10 cents to $3.85. He explained that the reductions are from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund and Social Security levies which have very healthy fund balances and can be reduced. An additional reduction comes from debt service fund tax dollars reserved for old bonds that had expired and were freed up by Board approval last June. With the Equalized Assessed Valuation expected to increase, QPS can decrease its tax rate but still expect to see more dollars in the actual dollar amount billed to taxpayers as determined by the county clerk. The levy has been flat or gone down throughout this building process. The tentative levy is based on a 7.5% increase in the EAV. The EAV increase is projected to be around 4.5% but overestimating ensures the District does not leave any money on the table. The committee also heard a recommendation from Technology Director Dan Ware to replace the current main server infrastructure which is eight years old and running low on storage space.

Dell Server Lease

It was recommended by the Finance Committee and moved by Member McNay to approve a three- year lease with Dell for a newer increased capacity server at a total cost of $133,049.40 (Doc. Reg. No. 3111). 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.

Human Relations Committee

Chairperson Nichols reported on the Human Relations Committee meeting. Director of Personnel Lisa Otten along with other administrators are contacting colleges to visit with education students, conduct interviews, and answer questions. In some cases, candidates are hired a year ahead of time to help ensure open positions will be filled. The committee also heard an update on Competency Based Teachers. This program helps those who have a BS degree and are interested in teaching, to complete their licensing requirements while on the job. A report on the Before and After School Child Care program was presented and list of discounts at area fitness facilities for QPS staff.

Adopt Resolution Amount Necessary to be Levied

It was recommended by the Finance Committee and moved by Member McNay to adopt the Resolution Regarding Estimated Amounts Necessary to be Levied for the Year 2019 and direct compliance with the Truth in Taxation law as necessary (Doc. Reg. No. 3110). 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.

Title 1 School Improvement Grant 1003a

It was by Member McNay and seconded by Member Arns to approve 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 members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Executive Session

At 6:35 p.m., it was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Bailey 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 members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Resumption of Rules

At 9:10 p.m., it was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member McNay 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 members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Student Discipline

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Bailey to adopt the recommendation made in executive session for pre-expulsion agreements for two QHS students, expulsion of two QHS students, one ABC student, one ACRSS student, and suspended expulsion for one ABC 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 Troup 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 at 9:15 p.m. 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/112019regmnt.pdf