Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met April 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of School District No. 172, Adams County, Illinois, met in regular session on April 24, 2024, 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 Arns, 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, Brock, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared a quorum was present.

Moment of Silence

President Arns declared a moment of silence and reflection.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Arns.

Legend Award

The Board presented the third annual Legend Award to the family of Richard “Dick” Thompson. Mr. Thompson was hired as a math teacher for QPS in 1957 as the first African American teacher at QJHS. After 15 years of teaching, he was named the dean of students and then, in 1977, assistant principal of QJHS. He retired in 1992 after 35 years in education, but then returned for another 20 years as the discipline supervisor for the transportation department. He gave 56 years of service to Quincy Public Schools.

All State Athletic Honors

The Board recognized the following All-State Athletes:

QHS

Football-Bradyn Little

Wrestling-Owen Uppinghouse

Basketball-Bradley Longcor III

Basketball-KeShaun Thomas

QJHS

Cross Country-Eli Poe

Cross Country-Charles Ray

Cross Country-Peyton Kuhl

Wrestling-Brylin Hill

Wrestling-Ja’Carveon Walton

Wrestling-Eli Zanger

Wrestling-Clayton McClelland

Wrestling-Derik Lohmeyer

Wrestling-Griffin Finch

Questions and Comments

President Arns opened the meeting to questions and comments to members of the Board, by members of the public. There were none.

Consent Agenda

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

a) Treasurer’s Report March 2024

b) Minutes – March 20, 2024

c) Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d) Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: March 16 – April 19, 2024 (None)

e) IESA Membership

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

Reports of the Superintendent

The Super’s 8 Highlights

1. Students at Denman got a visit from Ripley Schlepphorst and her dog mom Tracy. Students learned about human and dog emotions.

2. Rooney staff and students have been working on a school-wide art installation. With money from the QPS Foundation, school psychologist Lexi Reid has collected candid photos of staff and students and framed them around the building. This promotes a sense of community and pride among the Rooney Foxes.

3. Junior High Students are currently doing Spring MAP testing across the school. This will give students and teachers a chance to see growth over the school year.

4. The QHS girls soccer team took home an impressive 5-1 victory over the defending Western Big Six champions, putting them one step closer to a 20th WB6 title.

5. Students across the district got a chance to see science in action during the solar eclipse this month. Classes from elementary school through high school learned the science behind an eclipse and then got to see it for themselves.

6. ECFC celebrated the Week of the Young Child with parades for both their morning and afternoon classes. Members of QPD and the fire department took part in the parade.

7. The Quincy Blue Devil Wellness committee completed their annual Wellness Survey where staff can weigh in on strengths and challenges they face. The Blue Devil Wellness group then uses the responses to plan activities and provide wellness resources for the QPS community. 8. The annual Dream Big Color Run was quite a success. The QPS Foundation partnered with Mr. Dombroski’s Leadership Class to raise money to benefit QPS students and teachers through the Foundation.

New Athletic Director

Kris Klingele was announced as the new Athletic Director effective July 1, 2024 replacing Matt McClelland who shifts to serving as the director of QAVTC.

Spotlight on The Academy

Director Wells recognized that “It takes a village” and “You are more than…” by honoring the incredible achievements made by an Academy student. The student spoke of her accomplishments and gave thanks to her family and The Academy team for their guidance and belief in her.

Building Committee

The Building Committee did not meet in April.

District Improvement Committee

Co-Chairperson Petty shared that the District Improvement Committee recommended the ELA Benchmark Workshop and Reveal Math curriculum for the K-5 Elementary. The elementary teachers have been piloting this curriculum since the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. There will be multiple training opportunities for teachers to prepare to implement the new curriculum in the 2024-25 school year.

Pilot for Math and ELA Curriculum

It was recommended by the District Improvement Committee and moved by Member Petty to approve the Reveal Math and ELA Benchmark Workshop Curriculum (Doc. Reg. No. 3864). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee did not meet in April.

Discipline Committee

The Discipline Committee did not meet in April.

Policy Committee

Chairperson Whitfield reported that the Policy Committee reviewed the revisions from IASB PRESS Service from March 2024. The following policies were laid on the table to be approved at the May Board meeting.

PRESS Service Updates March 2024
2:40	Board Member Qualifications
2:260	Uniform Grievance Procedure
2:265	Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure
2:270	Discrimination and Harassment on the Basis of Race, Color, and National Origin Prohibited-NEW
4:165	Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors
4:190	Targeted School Violence Prevention Program
5:10	Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment
5:20	Workplace Harassment Prohibited
5:100	Staff Development Program
5:120	Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest
5:300	Schedules and Employment Year
7:10	Equal Educational Opportunities
7:20	Harassment of Students Prohibited
7:180	Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment
7:185	Teen Dating Violence Prohibited

2023-2024 Amended Calendar/Set Last Day

It was moved by Member Petty and seconded by Member Arns to approve the 2023-2024 Amended Calendar and Set Last Day for students as May 28, 2024 and teachers for May 29, 2024. (Doc. Reg. No. 3865). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Teacher Laptop Lease

It was moved by Member Ali and seconded by Member Arns to approve the Teacher Laptop Lease for 38 months with three annual payments each of $226,265.43 plus applicable tax to Lenovo Financial Services (Doc. Reg. No. 3866). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

QJHS Parking Lot Bid

It was moved by Member Ali and seconded by Member Arns to approve the QJHS Parking Lot Bid to Emrick Brothers Construction at a cost of $358,130.00 (Doc. Reg. No. 3867). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

BOE Façade Bid

It was moved by Member Ali and seconded by Member Brock to approve the BOE Façade Bid to A. Fischer Builders for $544,700.00 (Doc. Reg. No. 3868). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Executive Session

At 6:52 p.m., it was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member Brock 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; g) student disciplinary cases; j) attorney/client privilege; and k) approval of certain closed session minutes for distribution to the public; 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, Brock, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Resumption of Rules

It was moved by Member Whitfield and seconded by Member Brock 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, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Executive Session Minutes

It was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member Petty to approve the Resolution Authorizing Executive Session Minutes for Public Release from October 25, 2023 through March 20, 2024 and Authorizing Destruction of Records Closed Session more than Eighteen Months Prior to March 20, 2024 (Doc. Reg. 3869). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Personnel Addendum

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

Student Discipline

It was moved by Member Brock and seconded by Member Sethaler to adopt the recommendation made in executive session regarding the expulsion for one student from QJHS, one student from The Academy, and one student from QHS and pre-expulsion agreements for one student from Lincoln-Douglas Elementary, three students from QJHS, five students from QHS, and one student from The Academy. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Arns, Brock, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None and the following member was absent: Member McNay. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Adjournment

At 10:16 p.m., it was moved by Member Petty that the regular meeting adjourn. The motion carried with all in favor and the regular meeting was duly adjourned.

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