Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District No. 172 Board of Education met Oct. 27.

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, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members were absent: Member  Brock and Member McNay. 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 and employees of the district, in compliance with state statutes.  

Renee Mitchell questioned why the board doesn’t engage with speakers in open session. She also  spoke out against masking and believes if masks are required in school, schools should be  providing them. 

Jennifer Bock-Nelson expressed her concern about the high dropout rate after reading the United  Way of Adams County Community Needs Assessment. She pointed out that in almost every  category, Adams County is higher than the Illinois average and what is especially disconcerting  was the 17% dropout rate of our black students compared to 6% overall in Illinois. Jennifer said  she was glad that QHS realized the online academy was working for some students and that they  decided to continue it this year. She is hopeful the school district and community can address  some of these discrepancies and dropout rates.

Gary Wallace spoke out against critical race theory. He stated he has been bringing some  awareness to the community and plans to continue to keep people informed. 

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 – September 2021 

b. Minutes –September 22, 2021 

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports 

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: September 19 through  October 22, 2021 (Information Only) 

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

Reports of the Superintendent 

We wrapped up our first quarter with conference champs in golf, cross country, boys and girls in  both, and soccer. Marching band had an amazing season and a lot of those students along with our  community are looking forward to the musical coming up. With parent teacher conference week,  it's another stressful time for teachers as many of them work through the evenings so they can get  their parent teacher conferences in. An invitation is extended to all community members that  committee meetings are always open and offer an opportunity for open dialogue and a voice in  education. 

Building Committee 

The Building Committee did not meet. 

District Improvement Committee-New Members 

It was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member Whitfield to approve the following  members to be added to the District Improvement Committee: Sheldon Bailey, Emily Pool,  Janet Silas, and Dennis Williams. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock and Member McNay. Whereupon the  President declared the motion carried.

Finance Committee 

The Finance Committee did not meet; however, Ryan Whicker, Chief of Business Operations, shared information regarding six inactive bank accounts. Mr. Whicker recommended closing these inactive bank accounts. The result of closing these accounts will result in revenue or a  balance already included in the education fund. 

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

Human Relations Committee 

The Human Relations Committee meeting minutes from September 29, 2021 were shared. Policy Committee 

The Policy Committee did not meet; however, Mr. Whitfield, chair of Policy Committee, shared  that the district’s diversity and inclusion team has proposed a hate speech and action policy to  address ongoing concerns of keeping hate speech out of the classroom. This proposed policy will  go through the Policy Committee at the next Policy Committee meeting. 

Contract, Software License and Hosting Agreement with Transfinder 

It was moved by Member Ali and seconded by Member Whitfield to approve the contract,  software license and hosting agreement with Transfinder (Doc. Reg. No. 3716). On the call of  the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member  Brock and Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried. 

Workers’ Compensation Settlement 

It was moved by Member Ali and seconded by Member Petty to approve the Workers’  Compensation Settlement at a cost not to exceed $158,776.86. On the call of the roll, the  following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following  members voted Nay: None; and the following member Abstained: Member Arns; and the  following member were absent: Member Brock and Member McNay. Whereupon the President  declared the motion carried.

Executive Session  

At 6:46 p.m., it was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member Petty 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; g) student disciplinary cases; h) the placement of individual students in special  education programs and other matters relating to individual students; i) pending, probable, or  imminent litigation; j) attorney/client privilege; or other matters appropriate for a closed  meeting pursuant to the Open Meetings Act. On the call of the roll, the following members  voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted  Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock and Member McNay.  Whereupon the President declared the motion carried. 

Resumption of Rules 

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

Student Discipline 

It was moved by Member Nichols and seconded by Member Petty to adopt the  recommendation regarding pre-expulsion agreements for four QJHS students and two QHS  students. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns,  Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following  members were absent: Member Brock and Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared  the motion carried. 

Personnel Addendum  

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

Adjournment 

At 7:28 p.m., it was moved by Member Petty and seconded by Member Arns that the regular  meeting adjourn. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns,  Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following  members were absent: Member Brock and Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared  the motion carried. 

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