Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education Met Dec. 16.

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 Superintendent Webb.

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 anniversary of the Bill of Rights.

Consent Agenda

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

a. Treasurer’s Report November 2020

b. Minutes – November 24, 2020

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: November 23 – December 11, 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. School Update. Superintendent Webb said that QPS plans to continue in-person and remote option for second semester. There are over 100 students planning to return to in-person learning after the holidays.

2. Extra Curriculars. IHSA and IESA guidelines will continue to be followed as long they comply with Illinois Department of Public Health parameters.

3. Contact Tracing and Winter Break. Superintendent Webb said that contact tracing will continue over winter break, and Nursing Director Brandy Kirby will keep updated on students who are quarantined or who test positive for COVID-19. Staff member with a potential exposure or positive case are asked to contact their supervisors, the personnel office or Mr. Webb. He said it is important that students or staff who should be quarantined or staying home should not be coming back to school are the break.

4. Snow Day Operations. Snow days will continue as no attendance days since computers do not go home with students.

5. Draft of 2021-2021 School Calendar. A draft of the 2021-2022 tentative school calendar was emailed to all staff. First day for students is August 18 with August 16 and 17 in-service days for staff. Last day, with no snow days, will be May 26 for students and May 27 for teacher institute. Staff members should contact their union leadership with any suggestions for revisions by January 20. The Board will approve the 2021-2022 calendar at the meeting on January 27.

6. Five-Year Budget Projections. Five-year budget projections were presented by Ryan Whicker, Chief of Business Operations. If there is no change in spending, there will be a $1.68 million deficit projected next year in the education, operations, and maintenance and transportation funds. The projected $8.5 million in reserves provides some breathing room but that buffer can be depleted quickly if changes are not made. The Board will continue to discuss options to establish greater financial health. Decreasing expenditures or increasing revenue is needed to sustain fiscal stability. QPS highlighted the financial concerns in seeking a tax increase in the education fund in March to counter projected budget deficits and state mandates. The 53-cent referendum was defeated just prior to the pandemic. Quincy voters have never approved an increase in the education fund, set by the state at $1.84 in 1988. The Board had hoped to build on the success of the 2014 building referendum to generate more revenue and may go to voters again at some point. In the meantime, it will be a challenge to trim the budget without dramatically impacting students. Superintendent Webb said Board members, employees, community members, and leadership will work on solutions together.

7. School Based Health Care. Member Troup reported that the Community Health Workers are doing a great job for families and students. Over $100,000 has been raised to continue to fund the Community Health Workers.

Board Committees

No Board Committees met in December.

Resolution Risk Management Program

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member McNay to approve the Resolution Regarding Risk Management Program (Doc. Reg. No. 3667). 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.

Resolution to Establish Tax Levy

It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Nichols to approve the Resolution to Establish 2020 Tax Levy (Doc. Reg. No. 3668). 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.

Resolution for Issue of Bonds

It was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member McNay to approve the Resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $3,500,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2021, of the District for the purpose of altering and reconstructing school buildings and purchasing and installing equipment therein for fire prevention and safety, energy conservation and school security purposes, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds, authorizing the deposit of the taxes levied to pay said bonds directly into a designated escrow account and authorizing the sale of the bonds to the purchaser thereof (Doc. Reg. No. 3666). 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 Bailey and seconded by Member Arns to adopt the recommendation made in executive session regarding the pre-expulsion agreement for 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 members voted Nay: None. 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, McNay, Nichols, Troup, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Adjournment

At 6:37 p.m., it was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Troup 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/121620regmnt.pdf