Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met Oct. 28.

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.

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 the Federalist Papers and indoctrination of students.

Consent Agenda

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

a. Treasurer’s Report September 2020

b. Minutes – September 23, 2020

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: September 19 – October 23, 2020 (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. COVID and School Update. Superintendent Webb said Quincy Public Schools continues to do well containing the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the schools. There were 22 active cases on Wednesday, October 28 which is manageable. The increasing spread in the community does impact the school district. QPS is helping the community by identifying cases early, helping quarantine the right people, helping keep kids engaged in their learning and keeping them safe. The district’s in-person learning is a win-win. Superintendent Webb urged district employees and students to continue to be vigilant, especially during the four-day weekend that is ahead. He said to continue to avoid large events, avoid large indoor gatherings, social distance always, wash hands often, and wear a mask. He asked for everyone’s help.

2. October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To highlight the heroic staff members battling this disease, Superintendent Webb initiated a district wide FUNraiser. The goal was to raise $1100, an average of $1.00 from each of the 1100 staff and he would color his hair pink for the rest of the month of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. He reported that the goal was exceeded, and his hair is now pink. Checks were presented for $510 each to Quincy Medical Group Foundation and Blessing Foundation to support education and early detection of breast cancer. Funds were also provided to each school for their “Sunshine Funds” that are used to support staff. Mr. Webb said he is inspired by these heroes on our team who are battling this disease or have battled it in the past.

3. Blue Devil Dare to Care Week November 4-6. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee wanted to promote a week where we ALL come together as Blue Devils and care for each other, look out for each other, and have a great week. November 4, 5 and 6 will be Blue Devil Dare to Care Week. Mr. Webb said we are ALL Blue Devils. Explorers, Foxes, Redtails, Falcons, Eagles, Flyers, and Comets are all Blue Devils first! The Dare to Care emphasis for each day:

November 4—Acts of Kindness. Write a letter to someone. Send a thank you. Call someone you have not talked to for a while. Invite someone into your group that may not have a lot of friends (like a superintendent).

November 5—Project Day. Clean up an area of the school. Build something. Paint something. Penny drive. Food drive. Make sure all are included. Do not have something where some of our students cannot afford to be a part. It is better to have 100% participate than $1000 gained. We are in this together Blue Devils!

November 6—Blue Devil Blue Day. Show your spirit and community togetherness and inclusion by wearing Blue Devil Blue. The drumline will be on the road to all schools! Encourage clubs and organizations to promote togetherness. This could be our homecoming spirit in the middle of a pandemic. Invite sports teams to visit the schools.

4. School Based Health Care. Member Troup presented the School Based Health Care Committee report. He said he is contining to work on securing matching funds for the Tracy Family Foundation Grant, as well as finding long term funding solutions. He hopes to raise $75,000 to fund the Community Health Workers (CHW) Program through December 2021. CHWs continue working with current families and adding new families. President Ali commended Member Troup for his work on this committee and his efforts to raise funds.

Building Committee

The Building Committee did not meet in October.

District Improvement Committee

The District Improvement Committee did not meet in October.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee did not meet in October.

Human Relations Committee

The Human Relations Committee report was presented by Chairperson Nichols. Several committee members who work for other employers shared their organization’s procedures and processes relevant to COVID-19. She said State Street Bank provided t-shirts for new teachers. She asked for prayers for committee member Mara Clingingsmith who is hospitalized with COVID.

Policy Committee

Chairperson Bailey reported that the Policy Committee reviewed revisions from IASB Policy Service from March, June, and August 2020. Attorney David Penn explained that many of the policy changes from the August 2020 PRESS packet are related to changes to Title IX rules that impose required responses to reports of sexual harassment that impact a number of existing policies and a new policy, 2:265, which is Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedures. Central office administration, who will be responsible for implementing these requirements, will complete training on the process. More than just the change in policies, significant oversight is required. The following policies were laid on the table to be approved at the November Board meeting (This waives the 30-day requirement on the table due to the Thanksgiving holiday and the earlier meeting date):

March 2020

2:215 Board Compensation 

2:160 Board Attorney

5:35 Compliance Fair Labor 

5:60 Expenses

5:150 Personnel Records

5:280 Duties Qualifications 

6:135 Accelerated Placement 

6:280 Grading Promotion

7:70 Attendance and Truancy 

7:90 Release During Sch Hours

8:10 Connection Community 

8:30 Visitors Sch Property 

8:110 Public Suggestions

June 2020

2:220 Sch Bd Mtg Procedure 

4:180 Pandemic Preparedness 

7:190 Student Behavior

7:340 Student Records

August 2020

2:260 Uniform Grievance

2:265 Title IX Sexual Harass

5:10 Equal Employ Opportunity

5:20 Workplace Harassment

5:100 Staff Development

5:220 Substitute Teachers

5:250 Sick Days, Holidays

7:10 Equal Educational

7:20 Harassment Student

7:180 Prevention Bullying

7:185 Teen Dating Violence

Seek Bids for Health Life Safety Projects

It was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member Troup to approve seeking bids for Health Life Safety Projects for 2021 (Doc. Reg. No. 3160). 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.

Memorandum of Understanding #3 with IBEW

It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Troup to approve Memorandum of Understanding #3 with IBEW regarding salary schedule revisions for two members (Doc.

Reg. No. 3161). 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.

Memorandum of Understanding #12 with QF, SEIU and IBEW

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Ali to approve Memorandum of Understanding #12 with Quincy Federation, SEIU and IBEW regarding staff evaluations (Doc. Reg. No. 3162). 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 6:50 p.m., it was moved by Member Bailey 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

At 7:35 p.m., it was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member Arns 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.

Executive Session Minutes

It was moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member McNay to approve the Resolution Authorizing Executive Session Minutes for Public Release from January 22, 2020 through September 23, 2020 and authorizing destruction of recordings of closed session more than eighteen months prior to January 22, 2020 (Doc. Reg. No. 3663). 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 Ali to adopt the recommendation made in executive session for pre-expulsion agreements for one QJHS student and one QHS 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 Troup and seconded by Member Arns to approve the Revised PersonnelAddendum. 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 7:48 p.m., it was moved by Member Troup 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/102820regmnt.pdf