Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met Sept. 23.

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.

Moment of Silence

President Ali declared a moment of silence and reflection.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Ali.

Executive Session #1

It was moved by Member Nichols and seconded by Member Troup that the Board suspend the rules and go into executive session to discuss (g) student disciplinary cases. 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 Bailey, 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 McNay to adopt the recommendation made in executive session regarding the suspended expulsion of one ACRSS student. 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.

Open Public Hearing

President Ali opened the public hearing on the 2020-2021 Quincy School District Budget. There were no comments on the budget 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 social emotional learning and student indoctrination.

Consent Agenda

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

a. Treasurer’s Report August 2020

b. Minutes – August 19, 2020

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: August 15, 2020 – September 18, 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

1. COVID and School Update/Board Directives Review. Superintendent Webb stated that this is the sixth week of the 2020-2021 school year. He said students and staff are doing well, both in-person and remote learning. There are currently 18 active COVID-19 cases. Six of these cases have been traced back to a large indoor non-school event held last weekend outside of Quincy. Students and parents need to know that events like this are a bigger risk. There are risks to the student’s health, their family’s health and to QPS operations. The school district will be impacted by large events like this if our kids and families attend.

Superintendent Webb praised the district’s leaders who are doing an amazing job with day- to-day issues while constantly building contingencies. Teachers and support staff are being asked to do more than ever before and are meeting the challenge. It is going to be a difficult to sustain operations and keep going, going, going. He said it is hard for everyone, but he has confidence in our incredible team.

Decisions and changes made by this Board over the past three to five years have positively impacted how we are able to handle this crisis. The new K-5 buildings are much cleaner, have better ventilation and are ADA accessible. The Board accelerated the building schedule which completed the project ahead of the recent increase in the cost of steel and other building materials. Budget cuts made four years ago built fund balances, and had the district not been prepared, we would have been borrowing money this year with the added expenses of the pandemic. We have been able to work side by side with the Union on delicate issues this spring and summer. Other districts have been unable to go in-person because of poor relations with staff. The strong central office team and district directors have worked tirelessly the last five months and are meeting every challenge. The raise in substitute pay two years ago helped QPS secure more subs. Returning to school in-person would not have been possible without enough subs. The Board approved hiring early for positions and anticipated openings. It has paid off greatly in the quality of our new hires and preparing for the new school year.

2. Board Member Awards. Board Members Shelley Arns and Carol Nichols were recognized for their Master Board Member achievements. Member Arns has achieved Master Board Member Level 1 and Member Nichols has achieved Master Board Member Level 2. The two board members were congratulated on their achievement.

3. School Based Health Care. Member Troup presented the School Based Health Care Committee report. He reported that QPS is looking for an additional $25,000 in matching funds for the Tracy Family Foundation Grant. Member Troup said he would like to increase that to $75,000 to allow extra to do planning in the summer. He said the Community Health Workers continue to follow through in supporting students and families. There are currently two full-time CHW’s, down from four last year. However, they continue to take on more families and are making a positive impact on students and families. Member Troup shared his appreciation for the community agencies interest and effort in working with QPS students. He said he would like to broaden the outreach as the problems being addressed are not just QPS issues but community issues as well.

Building Committee

The Building Committee heard an update on the 2020 Health Life Safety Projects including third and fourth floor classrooms at QJHS, Flinn Stadium concrete and joint repairs, QHS gym floor, bleachers, intercom and phone lines, and QAVTC exhaust system in the diesel mechanics area. The LED lighting projects at the Board Office and ECFC have been completed as well as the French drain and playground projects at Rooney. Baldwin auditorium tuckpointing and visitors’ locker room shower valve replacement have been completed. The committee reviewed a list of 2021 and 2022 Health Life Safety Projects along with past community and staff building improvement recommendations. Mr. Whicker presented budget summaries of the referendum projects and current Health Life Safety Projects. Expenditures for the referendum project have been closed out as of June 30.

District Improvement Committee

Chairperson Shelley Arns reported on the District Improvement Committee meeting. She said that the District Improvement Plan’s overarching goals for 2020-2021 are: 1) Increase student achievement and growth as measured by state and local assessments. 2) Recruit and retain effective, highly qualified educators to ensure a well-rounded, equitable education for all QPS students. 3) Maintain safe, healthy, equitable and supportive learning environments for all students and staff. Each school’s plans align with these goals. Several more layers to the improvement plans have been added due to COVID19 issues and accommodations for remote learning. The focus is on health, safety and the social/emotional well-being of all students, staff and families. She said the teachers and staff are doing an amazing job.

Finance Committee

Ryan Whicker, Chief of Business Operations presented information on the 2020-2021 District Budget. He reported that the district expects to collect $300,000 more in corporate personal property replacement tax than was originally projected. This will reduce the projected $800,000 deficit in the operating budget to about $500,000. This was the major change from the tentative budget reviewed by the Board in August. He said although it is not a balanced budget, it does not require a deficit reduction plan. The district has enough reserves to cover the deficit. The budget includes $1.4 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES Act) from the federal government for increased costs due to COVID19. The budget incorporates an $850 increase per FTE, and a 10% increase in health insurance benefits. A key factor moving forward will be whether the State makes cuts in payments to the school district and whether more money will be coming to schools from the federal government. Spending due to COVID19 was significantly more than what was given to schools and local governments.

Close Public Hearing

President Ali asked if there were any questions regarding the 2020-2021 Quincy District Budget prior to closing the hearing. Jeff Kerkhoff asked about the definition of FTE’s and about the 10% increase in health insurance cost. Hearing no further questions or comments, President Ali closed the public hearing at 7:00 p.m.

Approve 2020-2021 Quincy School District Budget

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Troup to approve the 2020-2021 Quincy School District Budget (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 7:03 p.m., it was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali 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 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.

Personnel Addendum

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Arns to approve the Revised Personnel Addendum as Amended. 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 7:58 p.m., it was moved by Member Troup 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/092320regmnt.pdf