Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met Aug. 18.

Here are 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 Quincy Senior High School, Cafeteria, 3322 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, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following member was absent: Member Brock. 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 Mr. Webb.

Open Public Hearing

President Ali opened the public hearing on the 2021-2022 West Central Region Joint Agreement Budget, 2021-2022 QAVTC Budget, and the 2021-2022 Special Education Association Budget. There were no comments at the 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 and employees of the district, in compliance with state statutes.

Roni Quinn expressed her concerns that conversations between board members and superintendent were not being held in a public forum. She indicated she would be submitting multiple FOIA requests for emails. She also questioned the results of a survey that was sent out by the QFT to their members that indicated staff were split 50/50 regarding mask requirements.

Tory Kaufmann said that masks are hiding kids’ expressions and individuality and believes the flu is way worse for children than COVID.

Gary Wallace, a local pastor, and parent of two children in Quincy Public Schools, spoke about his issues with critical race theory and its involvement within our school system. He believes critical race theory is distorted and reformulated Marxism. He brought packets of information to share.

Brittany Mitchell, parent of a junior high student, suggested that the large portion of people that are disagreeing is significant because the issue of masking is extremely important and needs to be acknowledged. She believes there should be a compromised approach toward masking.

Jen Wiemelt questioned why the district isn’t accepting exemptions to masking and asked for public debate and open discussion with the board.

Patrick Barry stated he and his wife decided to pull two of their two youngest children out of the public school system because they don't want them growing up in this abnormality of having their faces covered and doesn’t want that to be normal to them.

Consent Agenda

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

a. Treasurer’s Report – July 2021

b. Minutes – July 21 and August 11, 2021

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: July 18 through August 14, 2021 (Information Only)

On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Reports of the Superintendent

First Day. The 2021-2022 school year is officially under way along with the organized chaos brought about by lots of excited parents, students, and staff. We were able to get everyone home safely and will continue to work on improving any first day busing issues.

Construction Update. Superintendent Webb reported the QJHS elevator repair is complete, and the board office parking lot is finished other than some areas that are blocked off to finish landscaping.

Plaque for David Wombles. Member Carol Nichols shared that the plaques located at the K-5 buildings will be updated with an inscription to honor the memory of David Wombles, who passed away in 2020. Mr. Wombles was a liaison between the Quincy School Board and construction companies for the construction of the new K-5 buildings.

Finance Committee

Committee Chair McNay shared that the Finance Committee reviewed the tentative budget for 2021-2022. 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 estimates are still being finalized. He said the assumptions for the tentative budget include that the district receives an additional $501k in Local Property Taxes, an additional $379k in EBF, Corporate Property Replacement Tax remains flat at $5.4M, and that the district receives the equivalent of a full year’s worth of state mandated categorical payments. The large increase in Federal funding is due to the ESSER I/II grants. The district anticipates receiving an additional $2.8M in federal funding in FY 2021-22. The budget also incorporates a 3% increase in salaries, 1% TRS benefit paid by the district or 0.5% IMRF benefit paid by the district, and a 10% increase in health insurance benefits. Overall, the 2021-22 Tentative Budget is an $85.7M balanced budget. The Board will adopt the budget at the September 22 meeting.

Policy Committee

It was moved by Member Whitfield and seconded by Member McNay to remove from the table and approve the following policy revisions:

June 2021

1:30 School District Philosophy

2:10 School District Governance

2:30 School District Elections

2:130 Board-Superintendent Relationship

2:240 Board Policy Development

5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment

6:145 Migrant Students

6:160 English Learners

6:235 Access to Electronic Networks

6:255 Assemblies and Ceremonies

6:260 Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs

7:280 Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease

8:90 Parent Organizations and Booster Clubs

On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Close Public Hearing

President Ali asked if there were any questions regarding the 2021-2022 West Central Regional Joint Agreement Budget, 2021-2022 QAVTC Budget and the 2021-22 Special Education Association Budget prior to closing the hearing. President Ali closed the hearing at 6:34 p.m.

Consider/Approve 2021-2022 Special Education Association Budget

It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Ali to approve the 2021-2022 Special Education Association Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3711). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Consider/Approve 2021-2022 QAVTC Budget

It was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member McNay to approve the 2021-2022 QAVTC Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3712). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Consider/Approve 2021-2022 West Central Regional Joint Agreement Budget

It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Ali to approve the 2021-2022 West Central Regional Joint Agreement Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3713). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Resolution on Tentative 2021-2022 Quincy School District Budget

It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Ali to approve the Resolution of Presentation of Tentative 2021-2022 Quincy School District Budget and set hearing date as September 22, 2021 (Doc. Reg. No. 3715). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Consider/Approve QSHS Trap Shooting Team

It was moved by Member Whitfield and seconded by Member Petty to approve the QSHS Trap Shooting Team. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Personnel Addendum

It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Arns to approve the Personnel Addendum. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Adjournment

At 6:44 p.m. it was moved by Member Nichols and seconded by Member McNay that the regular meeting adjourn.

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