Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met Aug. 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 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. Member McNay was present telephonically.

Moment of Silence

President Ali declared a moment of silence and reflection.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Superintendent Webb.

Open Public Hearing

President Ali opened the public hearing on the 2020-2021 West Central Region Joint Agreement Budget, 2020-2021 QAVTC Budget and the 2020-2021 Special Education Association 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.

Jeff Kerkhoff commented on his review of the textbook World Cultures and Geography for 6th graders adopted by the Board last month. He also commented on Bend Franklin and Constitution Day which is September 17.

Consent Agenda

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

a. Treasurer’s Report July 2020

b. Minutes – July 22, 2020 and August 10, 2020

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: July 18, 2020 – August 14, 2020 (Information Only) None

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

New School Year Update. Superintendent Webb said that parents, students and staff are excited to start the school year. Teachers are happy to have students back in the buildings. He asked for patience from parents as the District navigates this new normal. What staff has done in the past six months is unimaginable and impossible but QPS is ready to go. Enrollment is currently 6,091 K- 12, which is down from last year’s 6,144. Of the 6,091 enrolled, 23%, or 1,250, have opted for remote learning. Parents can shift their students to remote learning at any time during the school year, but remote students can’t return to in-person until the start of a new quarter for K-8 or second semester for high school. Board President Sayeed Ali said staff have done an amazing job. The Board feels so fortunate to be in-person. Board Member Jim Whitfield said he is proud QPS is starting in-person but if Covid cases keep increasing, we may need to change to all remote. It would take two to three days to transition if that becomes the case. There are some remote planning days included in the calendar to make that transition. The buildings are clean and safe, and all possible guidelines are in place. Superintendent Webb said it is up to parents and the community to continue these practices outside the school day. Board Member Carol Nichols said district staff have done a fantastic job preparing and should know they have done their best. There will be some bumps in the road, but staff need to know the Board has complete faith in them and full support.

Building Committee

The Building Committee did not meet in August. Co-Chair Mike Troup reported on the projects that have been completed at Quincy Junior High. This includes plumbing, electrical and classroom renovation work on the third and fourth floors. Those classrooms have new drop ceilings, new lighting, new electrical, new carpeting and freshly painted walls to welcome back teachers and students. The first and second floor classrooms will be updated next summer. The exterior tuckpointing work was also completed a year ahead of schedule. With students and staff out of the building since mid-March, there was more time to complete projects.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee reviewed the tentative budget for 2020-2021. Chief of Business Operations Ryan Whicker explained that the tentative budget was prepared with a conservative approach regarding revenues and expenditures. He noted that the budget would be fluid over the next month, as some large revenue figures are not yet available. He said the assumptions for the tentative budget include that the District receives an additional $567K in Local Property Taxes, Corporate Property Replacement Tax is reduced by 30%, and that the district receives the equivalent of a full year’s worth of state mandated categorical payments. The budget also incorporates a $850 increase per FTE, and a 10% increase in health insurance benefits. Overall, the 2020-21 Tentative Budget is an $82M unbalanced budget. The Board will adopt the budget at the September 23 meeting.

Close Public Hearing

President Ali asked if there were any questions regarding the 2020-2021 West Central Region Joint Agreement Budget, 2020-2021 QAVTC Budget and the 2020-2021 Special Education Association Budget prior to closing the hearing. Jeff Kerkhoff asked about FTE’s and whether the budget was balanced. President Ali closed the public hearing at 6:29 p.m.

Approve 2020-2021 Special Education Association Budget

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Troup to approve the 2020-2021 Special Education Association Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3149). 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.

Approve 2020-2021 Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center Budget

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Arns to approve the 2020-2021 Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3147). 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.

Approve 2020-2021 West Central Region Joint Agreement Budget

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Troup to approve the West Central Regional Joint Agreement Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3148). 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.

Approve Resolution Tentative 2020-2021 Quincy School District Budget

It was moved by Member Nichols and seconded by Member Bailey to approve the Resolution on Presentation of Tentative 2020-2021 Quincy School District Budget and set hearing date as September 23, 2020 (Doc. Reg. No. 3156). 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 Ali 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, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Resumption of Rules

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Whitfield 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.

Personnel Addendum

It was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member Ali to approve the Revised Personnel Addendum as presented. 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.

Adjournment

At 7:15 p.m., it was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member McNay 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/081920regmnt.pdf