Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met April 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

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, 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 President Ali.

Questions and Comments 

President Ali opened the meeting to questions and comments to members of the Board, by members of the public.

Jennifer Bock-Nelson shared her thoughts as a former 1997 valedictorian and spoke in favor of eliminating the valedictorian and salutatorian honors at QHS.

Consent Agenda 

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

a. Treasurer’s Report – March 2022 

b. Minutes – March 23, 2022 

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports 

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: March 19 -- April 22, 2022 (Information Only) 

e. IHSA Membership 2022-2023 

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

Reports of the Superintendent 

Three key leaders were introduced—Marcey Wells as the director of The Academy, Debbie Johnson as K-12 music director, and Jason Fink as Rooney principal. Superintendent Webb awarded Herald-Whig staff writer, Deborah Husar, the Blue Devil coin. She was recognized for her excellence in journalism, accurate reporting, communication, and trust.

Building Committee 

The Building Committee did not meet in April.

District Improvement Committee 

Chairperson Arns presented the District Improvement Committee report. The committee recommended a new course proposal at QHS, Technical Theatre, which is an independent study elective course. The course would be offered beginning in 2022-23 and would offer a classroom component and require students to participate in several productions each year.

Information on the ELL (English Language Learners) and the services provided by them was also shared. Mike McKinley is the immediate liaison between the district and these families.

The committee also discussed eliminating the valedictorian, salutatorian recognition at QHS. Typically, just tenths or hundredths of a point separate the valedictorian and the salutatorian, and many times the top ten graduates in the class. There is concern about the toll on student mental health from playing the game to achieve the top spot at graduation. They would continue to offer magna cum laude and summa cum laude recognition to high achieving students. The next steps call for sharing information with parents and gathering feedback. Any changes, if made, would start with an incoming freshman or sophomore class.

New Course Proposal Technical Theatre Elective 

It was recommended by the District Improvement Committee and moved by Member Arns to approve the new course proposal Technical Theatre Elective at QHS (Doc. Reg. No. 3734). 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. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Finance Committee 

The Finance Committee report which included the financial update and cash summary report was presented by Chairperson McNay. District finances are on track.

The Finance Committee recommended authorizing a bond resolution to refund the $9.785 million in general obligation bonds issued in 2014. Chief of Business Operations, Ryan Whicker, explained that if refunding proposals come in and are not in our favor, there is no commitment to refinance or refund.

The committee recommended approval of the surplus sale of three buses--one 1999 Blue Bird 71 passenger bus, one 2000 Blue Bird 71 passenger bus, and one 2002 48 passenger bus, which are no longer needed by the District.

Human Relations Committee 

The Human Relations Committee did not meet in April.

Policy Committee 

The Policy Committee did not meet in April.

Amended 2021-2022 Calendar/Last Day 

It was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member McNay to approve the 2021-2022 Amended Calendar and Set Last Day for students as June 2, 2022 and teachers for June 3, 2022. (Doc. Reg. No. 3735) 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. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Appointment of IASB Delegate 

Member Nichols was appointed as the IASB delegate.

Sale of Surplus Property  

It was recommended by the Finance Committee and moved by Member McNay to approve the sale of surplus property—three buses, a 1999 Blue Bird 71 passenger bus, a 2000 Blue Bird 71 passenger bus, and a 2002 48 passenger bus, which are no longer needed by the District. 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. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Resolution General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2022  

It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Ali to approve authorizing a bond resolution not to exceed $10,000,000 General Obligation Refunding School Bonds, Series 2022, of the District for the purpose of refunding certain outstanding bonds of the District, authorizing (Doc. Reg. No. 3736)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. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Executive Session  

At 6:42 p.m., it was moved by Member Petty and seconded by Member Arnsthat 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; c) the purchase or lease of real property for the use of 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, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Arrival of Member Brock 

Member Brock arrived at 6:48 p.m. which was duly recorded by the Board Secretary.

Resumption of Rules 

At 7:10 p.m., it was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Petty to resume the conduct of the regular meeting under rules. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Executive Session Minutes  

It was moved by Member Ali and seconded by Member Arns to approve the Resolution Authorizing Executive Session Minutes for Public Release from October 27, 2021 through March 23, 2022 and Authorizing Destruction of Records Closed Session more than Eighteen Months Prior to March March 23, 2022 (Doc. Reg. No. 3737). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Student Discipline 

It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Arns to adopt the recommendation made in executive session regarding the expulsion for one student from The Academy and two QJHS students. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, McNay, Nichols, Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None.

Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Revised Personnel Addendum  

It was moved by Member Petty and seconded by Member Nicholsto approve the Revised Personnel Addendum. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, McNay, Nichols, and Petty; and the following members voted Nay: Whitfield. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Adjournment 

At 7:13 p.m., it was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Arns that the regular meeting adjourn. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, McNay, Nichols, and Petty, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

https://www.qps.org/wp-content/uploads/042722regmnt.pdf