Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public Schools District No. 172 Board of Education met Nov. 24.

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 Nichols was present remotely.

Moment of Silence

President Ali declared a moment of silence and reflection.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Rachael Petty.

Open Public Hearing

President Ali opened the public hearing concerning the intent of the Board of Education of the District to sell $3,500,000 School Fire Prevention and Safety Bonds for the purpose of conforming its existing facilities that house students to the building code promulgated by the State Board of Education of the State of Illinois, by altering and reconstructing said facilities and having equipment purchased and installed therein.

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 the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower Compact which was signed on November 21, 1620 and historical presidential elections in the past. He distributed an article on social emotional learning.

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 October 2020

b. Minutes – October 28, 2020

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: October 24 – November 20, 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. Breakfast Optimist Guest. Superintendent Webb recognized Mr. Ray Wilson in the audience from the Breakfast Optimist Club. He said this group sponsors a number service projects for the Quincy’s youth. The Soap Box Derby, with a day set aside for special needs children, provides an amazing opportunity and fun time for those students.

2. School Update. Superintendent Webb said Quincy Public Schools continues to offer in-person learning while many districts throughout the state have reverted to some type of remote learning. He thanked principals, directors and Transportation Director Shane Barnes who have to make changes and accommodations daily. The Curriculum Director Kim Dinkheller and Assistant Director Erica Maynard do an amazing job assisting the teaching staff. Personnel Director Lisa Otten tracks staff who are out each day and works to keep spots filled. Nursing Director Brandy Kirby and school nurses are working hard to track positive COVID cases and contact trace. Superintendent Webb said he appreciates the support from the Adams County Health Department, the union, the School Board, teachers and staff. These are our heroes. The cooperation from students and the community have made this a team effort. He praised Board Members who go above and beyond to support the district. Member Troup is working on securing an additional $100,000 to continue to fund the Community Health Workers and the Hot Spotting Program. Members Nichols has made a sizeable donation through the QPS Foundation to purchase additional student Chromebooks. Board members donated to help fund surgery for a QPS family’s dog that ran out in front of a school bus. Members Ali and Whitfield are completing the process to be teacher subs for the district. Superintendent Webb said he is so thankful for our amazing Board, staff and students.

3. School Based Health Care. Member Troup presented the School Based Health Care Committee report. Updates were provided to the committee on Hot Spotting Intervention and the referral process for families. President Ali commended Member Troup for his work to secure an additional $100,000 in corporate funding to continue to fund the Community Health Workers.

Building Committee

The Building Committee did not meet in November.

District Improvement Committee

The District Improvement Committee report was presented by Chairperson Bailey. The Illinois Interactive Report Card information was reviewed. This year is unique as some information was not reported due to COVID-19. Two new QHS elective courses were proposed for the 2021-2022 school year.

QHS Course Approvals

It was recommended by the District Improvement Committee moved by Member Bailey to approve the following courses: Social Emotional Success, an elective for students enrolled in alternative placement and Ceramics, an introductory art course. 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.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee reviewed the monthly financial data, check register, and cash flow summary. The tentative 2020 Tax Levy was presented. The audit report for 2019-2020 was reviewed with the committee and showed no findings for the second year in a row. Chairperson McNay said that Chief of Business Operations Ryan Whicker has done something no other business manager has been able to do for more than 20 years in Quincy Public Schools with zero findings for the second year in a row. Mr. Whicker is the first to point out that it’s a team effort. Superintendent Webb said it’s a testament to a lot of people working hard throughout the entire school district to make sure things are done accurately the first time. President Ali said he can’t say enough good things about Ryan and his team. Since the district had no findings for two consecutive years, QPS is considered a low risk which will warrant less testing during next year’s audit.

Human Relations Committee

The HR Committee did not meet in November.

Policy Committee

The IASB Policy Service updates from March, June, and August 2020 were laid on the table at the October Board meeting. (The 30-day requirement on the table is waived due to the Thanksgiving holiday and the earlier meeting date).

It was recommended by the Policy Committee and moved by Member Bailey to remove from the table and adopt the following updated policies as presented (One change from PRESS in Policy 8:10 – Community Connection):

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

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.

Close Public Hearing

President Ali asked if there were any questions or comments regarding the intent of the District to sell School Fire Prevention and Safety Bonds for Health Life Safety Projects.

Mr. Jeff Kerkhoff asked questions about the impact the sale of bonds would have on the tax levy. Hearing no further questions or comments, the hearing was closed at 6:30 p.m.

Resolution Regarding Estimated Amount Necessary to be Levied

Chief of Business Operations Ryan Whicker explained that EAV estimates are showing growth of just over 2% but property value assessments are still taking place. The calculation shows a total tentative tax rate approximately 2 cents lower than in 2019. However, based on current EAV estimates, Mr. Whicker believes that the tax rate will be very similar to last year. The School Board will finalize the levy in December.

It was recommended by the Finance Committee and moved by Member McNay to adopt the Resolution Regarding Estimated Amount Necessary to be Levied for the Year 2020 and direct compliance with the Truth in Taxation law as necessary (Doc. Reg. No. 3664). 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 moved by Member Troup and seconded by Member McNay to approve submission of 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.

Architect Fees

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Arns to approve architect fees as submitted by Klingner & Associates for Health Life Safety Projects including the BOE Parking Lot Reconstruction Project, ACRSS Building Roof and Front Façade Replacement, and QHS Auditorium Curtains and Stage Rigging Replacement (Doc. Reg. No. 3665). 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 Whitfield 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 members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Adjournment

At 6:42 p.m., 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, 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/112420regmnt.pdf