Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met Feb. 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 January 22, 2020, 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 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 Mary Griffith.

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. Jeff Kerkhoff distributed some articles and commented on the proposed property tax increase on the March referendum.

Focus on Students – Good Things Going On!

Lincoln-Douglas PTO – President Ronda Lentz reported on the PTO activities at Lincoln Douglas Elementary. Parent involvement and membership is up. She said the PTO fully funds field trips for students at a cost of $9,000. There is $4,000 distributed among certified staff to purchase classroom supplies. Several staff appreciation events are held throughout the school year, and treats are provided for the Wednesday staff PLC meetings. A newsletter is sent to families spotlighting different students. The Book Fair has been revamped and was very successful. The PBIS Program provides rewards for students which consists of items students really want.

Arrival of Member Whitfield

Member Whitfield arrived at 6:10 p.m. which was duly recorded by the Board Secretary.

Consent Agenda

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

a. Treasurer’s Report – January 2020

b. Minutes – January 22 and February 10, 2020

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: January 18 through February 21, 2020 (Information Only)

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

Reports of the Superintendent

a. District Improvement Plan. Superintendent Webb presented a draft of the 2020-2021 District Improvement Plan. The plan is similar to last year with the same overall goals toward reaching the District’s mission to educate students and teachers to achieve personal excellence. The goals are: 1) increase student achievement; 2) improve staff and school morale and staff retention rate; and 3) promote fiscal responsibility. Principals are instructional leaders and have autonomy in their buildings. Teachers are encouraged to be innovative and try new methods or practices in their classrooms. New this year is an increased focus on student growth along with achievement. Both are measured with the Illinois Assessment of Readiness test administered to students in March. The final District Improvement Plan will be approved by the Board next month. Principals will then develop their School Improvement Plans in correlation with the District Plan. The School Improvement Plans for 2020-2021 will be presented in June.

b. School Based Health Care. Member Troup presented the School Based Health Care Committee report. Data on the Hot Spotting Program was reviewed. There are 33 students currently in the program. Student attendance improves after enrollment in the program for a substantial amount of time. The program has been tracking core subject grades of enrolled students since the 2018-2019 school year. All students who have been in the program six months or more have had a 30% improvement in their grades. There are 25% of these students involved in extra-curriculars. There were updates on the immunization initiative to allow minors or the school to consent. It is hoped this is in place for the fall. Some statistics on household makeup and families dealing with mental illness, substance abuse, sexual abuse and domestic violence were discussed.

Building Committee

The Building Committee did not meet in February.

District Improvement Team Committee

Chairperson Bailey reported on the District Improvement Committee meeting. First semester attendance, student growth and discipline was reviewed with comparisons to first semester last year. Principals and directors presented updates on their school or program. Several QHS/QAVTC course proposals were recommended for approval by the committee.

QHS/QAVTC Courses

It was recommended by the District Improvement Team Committee and moved by Member Bailey to approve the following QHS/QAVTC Courses for the 2020-2021 school year:

a. JROTC-Intro to Military/Military Studies

b. CBE Consumer Education and Health

c. Hybrid Graphics/English IV

d. CBE Independent Study Senior Art Elective

e. Cosmetology Program with Gem City College

f. Adams County CEO – Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities g. Agriculture Animal Science and Agriculture Plan Science

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

Finance Committee

Superintendent Webb reported that the Finance Committee was updated on monthly financials, cash flow, check register and junior high/senior high activity funds. Mr. Whicker explained that the Board will be asked to approve a resolution that would allow the County Clerk to reduce the Debt Service Levy. Each year that the district levies for upcoming bond payments of principal and interest, the county clerk increases that amount by about 10% for uncollectable taxes to make sure the district is not shorted. When the bonds are fully repaid, the additional funds remain restricted for those bonds. In June 2019, the board passed a resolution releasing that restriction. This resolution has been requested by the County Clerk in order reduce the Debt Service Levy by $488,392.94.

Annual Grants/Allocations

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Bailey to approve the following grants or allocations: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Title I, Title II, Title IV Part A, Title I Neglected, Title I Delinquent, Title IV Part D Enhancing Education through Technology, Title I School Improvement Grant 1003(a), Special Education IDEA Flow-Through, Special Education Preschool, Head Start, Early Childhood Block Grant, Truants’ Alternative and Optional Education Program (TAOEP), Regional Safe Schools-Subcontract, Adult Education and Family Literacy, WCR Carl Perkins, WCR Career and Technical Education Improvement Grant, QAVTC QPS Perkins Sub-Grant, QAVTC CTEI Sub Grant, QPS CTEI Sub-Grant, Ag Incentive Grant, Ag Three Circles Grant, 21st Century Community Learning Center, Advanced Placement, School Library Per Capita Grant, Tracy Family Foundation Grants, Illinois Arts Council Arts and Foreign Language Education Grant Program, Healthy Communities Investment Grant, and Community Foundation Grants. 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.

Information was provided on some of the grants. The Head Start grant application has been reviewed and is approved as discussed. Board members thanked staff who are involved in submitting the grants as it is a huge benefit to the district.

Debt Service Fund Abatement Resolution

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali to approve the Debt Service Fund Abatement Resolution (Doc. Reg. No. 3121). 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.

LED Lighting Proposal

The LED Lighting Proposal for ECFC and the Board of Education has been tabled.

Executive Session

At 6:30 p.m., it was moved by Member Troup 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, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Resumption of Rules

At 7:05 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 members voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Student Discipline

It was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member Whitfield to adopt the recommendation made in executive session regarding the expulsion of two QHS students and for pre-expulsion agreements for two QHS students. 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 Nichols 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

It was moved by Member Arns 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, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following members 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.

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