Shelley Arns, Board President | Quincy Public Schools
Shelley Arns, Board President | Quincy Public Schools
Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met Sept. 25.
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 on September 25, 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 Arns, Brock, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following member was absent: None. 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 Attorney Penn.
Open Public Hearing
President Arns opened the public hearing on the 2024-2025 Quincy School District Budget. There were no comments on the budget at this time, but the hearing remained open for comments until closed later in the meeting.
Questions and Comments
President Arns opened the meeting to questions and comments to members of the Board, by members of the public.
Todd Porter, physician, expressed his concerns with the reading scores and curriculum being used by QPS. He advocated for the use of the Amplify CKLA curriculum used by Liberty School District.
Ryan Stark, QHS class of 2005, spoke on behalf of PHAST Foundation (Promoting Health and Service Together) for Dr. Darin Thomas. The PHAST Foundation is building an indoor mountain bike park at neighboring 628 Jersey and urged the board to set no minimum price for the building in order to give them a chance to secure the building at a low price.
Consent Agenda
It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Davis to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
a. Treasurer’s Report August 2024
b. Minutes – August 21, 2024
c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports
d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: August 17, 2024 – September 20, 2024 (Information Only)
On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Reports of the Superintendent
The Super’s 8 Highlights
1. The QHS Counseling Department has unveiled their Blue Devil Regulation Station, a place where students can take a quick pause to help regulate their emotions during the school day. The regulation station was made possible by a grant from the Dream Big Foundation. QJHS has created regulation stations outside each classroom.
2. It’s Homecoming week and the entire district is celebrating. At Rooney Elementary, spirit days include RCA house color day, anything but a backpack day and of course, Extreme Blue Devil Friday.
3. Denman hosted their curriculum night where Falcon families could get familiar with the school and visit stations hosted by the Scouts, Quincy Public Library, and TCBY served by community partner LifePoint Church.
4. QAVTC Culinary Arts students got some hands-on experience as they catered a 50th Anniversary celebration for the Two Rivers Regional Council.
5. Jean Kinder, her food service team, Ryan Clair of the maintenance department, and Scott Douglas and his transportation team showed true Blue Devil grit during the recent water main break that impacted the entire city. Despite challenging circumstances, these departments rallied to secure water, provide food and transport students all within short notice.
6. The Academy students have been learning neuroscience! Each day during their homeroom, they learn about the brain, giving insight into behavior and the functions of the brain.
7. The Student Family Mentor Program is celebrating its 30th year. By matching students with community members to mentor them weekly throughout the school year, the mentor program has fostered relationships that help students achieve their personal excellence.
8. The elementary schools celebrated Ag in the classroom this month. Students from the ag department visited with activities to share the importance of agricultural education.
Building Committee
Chairperson McNay provided updates on the progress of various ongoing projects, including the renovation of central services, the new facade for the education building, the turf and track update at Flinn Stadium, and the lower parking lot at Quincy Junior High. These projects are all on schedule and progressing well.
There was also extensive discussion about the HVAC systems in the new K-5 elementary schools. Since their installation, McNay stated that it has been a challenge to maintain the HVAC systems in the K-5 schools due to various issues. One of the problems involves the automatic cleaning system of the filters which has led to labor-intensive cleaning processes. Additionally, the decision to use aluminum pipingin the HVAC system of the first school, Lincoln Douglas, has resulted in frequent failures, causing leaks of freon onto the ceiling tiles. These maintenance issues have necessitated the hiring of extra technicians to keep the systems operational. The District hopes to continue to have conversations with the architectural firms, Daikin and TMI on possible resolutions.
District Improvement Committee
Chairperson Arns reported that the District Improvement Committee received information about summer school, teacher retention, and English Language Learner (ELL).
The committee reviewed the 2024 Summer School Report. The Quincy Service League brought books for our students, and Altrusa arranged a carnival at the end of the summer school program.
The state of Illinois reports teacher retention differently, counting any movement from the current position as a negative impact on teacher retention. We want to ensure that the teachers we hire stay within QPS. The report created by Director of Personnel, Lisa Otten, focuses on the number of teachers who left the district, not just those who moved positions or buildings or retired.
Our English Language Learner program saw a significant increase in the number of ELL students served at QPS, from around 30 last year to about 55 at the beginning of this year. We have students speaking about 14 different languages using these ELL services.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee did not meet in September.
Discipline Committee
Chairperson Petty shared that the Discipline Committee reviewed comprehensive behavioral and disciplinary data for 23-24 and compared it to the previous year. This data pointed out the importance of implementing progressive discipline, restorative practices, and early intervention to address student behaviors. The goal is to reduce the number of students facing disciplinary action. Vaping, particularly THC vaping in high school and junior high, continues to be an issue.
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee did not meet in September.
Close Public Hearing
President Arns asked if there were any questions regarding the 2024-2025 Quincy District Budget prior to closing the hearing. President Arns closed the public hearing at 6:43 p.m.
Approve 2024-2025 Quincy School District Budget As Amended
Chief of Business Operations Ryan Whicker highlighted two changes from the proposed budget presented in August. The Illinois Department of Revenue estimates the district’s corporate personal property replacement tax revenue will drop about $1 million over last year, but health insurance costs estimated to increase 10% came in at half that for about $1 million in savings. They netted each other out. It was moved by Member Petty and seconded by Member Arns to approve the 2024-2025 Quincy School District Budget As Amended (Doc. Reg. No. 3904). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Resolution Authorizing Sale of Surplus Property--2 Maintenance Vehicles
It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Davis to approve the Resolution Approving Sale of Surplus Property—2008 Ford Ranger and 2003 Chevrolet S-10 (Doc. Reg. No. 3905). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Executive Session
At 6:48 p.m., it was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Arns 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; d) the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the District; g) student disciplinary cases; and j) attorney/client privilege. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Resumption of Rules
It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Whitfield to resume the conduct of the regular meeting under rules. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Resolution Authorizing Sale of 640 Jersey Street, Adams County, IL
It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Davis to approve the Resolution Approving Sale of 640 Jersey Street, Adams County, IL and set the minimum price at $250,000 and the earnest money at 10% of sale price (Doc. Reg. No. 3906). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Student Discipline
It was moved by Member Sethaler and seconded by Member McNay to adopt the recommendation made in executive session for a suspended expulsion for one QHS student. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following member abstained: Member Brock and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
It was moved by Member Sethaler and seconded by Member Davis to adopt the recommendation made in executive session for pre-expulsion agreements for six QHS students and one student from The Academy and expulsion for one student from The Academy and suspended expulsion for one student from The Academy. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Personnel Addendum
It was moved by Member Whitfield and seconded by Member Arnsto approve the Personnel Addendum. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
| PERSONNEL CODES
$$ - New operating Fund Position (increase in FTE) B - Paid for by Booster Clubs C - Change in classification or position O - Other PERSONNEL ADDENDUM P - New Project Fund position PR - Replacement for Project Fund position Quincy Board of Education R - Replacement for vacant Operating Fund Position S - Summer School September 25, 2024 | ||||
| CERTIFIED | ||||
| APPOINTMENT (EFFECTIVE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR) | ||||
| 1 | R | ANNA SHUPE - FFA SPONSOR/QAVTC | 2024-25 SCH YR | STEP 0 $2,118.54 - STIPEND |
| 2 | R | PATRICIA MCGLOTHLIN – PART-TIME CASE MANAGER/ROONEY | 2024-25 SCH YR | TIMESHEET - $30.00/HR |
| 3 | R | RHIANNON DIEKER – 6TH GRADE STUDENT COUNCIL SPONSOR/QJHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | STEP 0 $1,108.70 |
| 4 | $$ | AUSTIN RIESE – DEBATE CLUB SPONSOR/QHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | $931.82 - STIPEND |
| 5 | C | SALLY RUBLE – ACADEMIC LEADER/DENMAN | 2024-25 SCH YR | EXTRA DAYS $8,477.98 |
| 6 | PR | KAITLYN WINCUP – 7TH GRADE JAZZ BAND DIRECTOR/QJHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | STEP 0, $1,228.75 - STIPEND |
| 7 | R | MARIA HILLEBRENNER – CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR/QAVTC | 09/09/2024 | TIMESHEET - $30.00/HR |
| 8 | R | MELINDA DOELLMAN – CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR/QAVTC | 09/09/2024 | TIMESHEET - $30.00/HR |
| 9 | R | SUSIE WESTERMAN – PART-TIME ELL TUTOR/DISTRICT | 09/10/2024 | TIMESHEET - $30.00/HR |
| 10 | R | KEVIN GENENBACHER – PART-TIME NON-PUBLIC TUTOR/DISTRICT | 09/16/2024 | TIMESHEET - $30.00/HR |
| 11 | O | STACIE NIFFEN – UNION RELEASE TIME/QHS (HOMEROOM AND 8TH HOUR | 2024-25 SCH YR | NO CHANGE IN SALARY |
| 12 | R | MEGAN SIEMENS – SPEECH PATHOLOGIST/BALDWIN | 09/20/2024 | 181 DAYS, S, STEP 7 $42,645.69 |
| 13 | R | LOREIN KEELY – 4TH GRADE TEACHER (TR)/ILES | 09/18/2024 | 181 DAYS, B, STEP 0 $34,932.35 |
| 14 | R | JEREMY REYNOLDS – SPECIAL EDUCATION ED TEACHER (TR)/ROONEY | 09/19/2024 | 181 DAYS, B, STEP 0 $34,706.98 |
| 15 | C | JEFF PATTERSON – SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE TEACHER/ROONEY | 09/19/2024 | NO CHANGE IN SALARY |
| 16 | R | BETH HAMMER – PREK SPECIAL ED TEACHER/ECFC | 08/16/2024 | 181 DAYS, B, STEP 0 $39,890.49 |
| 17 | R | MEGAN HOWELL – PREK SPECIAL ED TEACHER/ECFC | 08/15/2024 | 181 DAYS, B, STEP 0 $40,115.86 |
| RESIGNATIONS | ||||
| 18 | JAMIE PARROTT – PART-TIME TITLE 1 TUTOR/NON PUBLIC (ST. FRANCIS) | 08/22/2024 | ||
| 19 | SARA DEVINE – JAZZ BAND DIRECTOR/QJHS | 08/12/2024 | ||
| LEAVE OF ABSENCE | ||||
| 20 | JEN DREW – TEACHER/LINCOLN-DOUGLAS | UPDATE | 08/12/2024-08/16/2024 | |
| 21 | BRITTANY BLEICHNER – TEACHER/DENMAN | 09/19/2024-11/18/2024 | ||
| 22 | ALEXIS REID – PSYCHOLOGIST/ROONEY | UPDATE | 08/26/2024-09/03/2024 | |
| 23 | JENNIFER MORAN – TEACHER/QHS | 12 WEEKS/AS NEEDED 24-25 SCH YR | ||
| 24 | CLAIR CLARK – TEACHER/QJHS | UPDATE | 08/12/2024-09/03/2024 | |
| 25 | CRYSTAL JOHNSON – TEACHER/ECFC | 11/07/2024-11/22/2024 | ||
| 26 | KAYLA EPLEY – TEACHER/QHS | 12 WEEKS/AS NEEDED 24-25 SCH YR | ||
| 27 | TOM LEPPER – DEAN/QJHS | UPDATE | 05/05/2023-12/31/2024 | |
| 28 | KATIE DUTTON – TEACHER/ROONEY | 08/14/2024-09/24/2024 | ||
| 29 | FRANCES REINHARD – TEACHER/DENMAN | 09/13/2024-12/06/2024 (AS NEEDED) | ||
| 30 | LAURIE MEULEMANS – TEACHER/BALDWIN | 08/28/2024-11/22/2024 | ||
| RETIREMENT | ||||
| 31 | BRENDA REES – TEACHER/QJHS | END OF 25-26 SCH YR | REQUESTING MOU1/APPROVED | |
| EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT | ||||
| APPOINTMENT (EFFECTIVE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR) | ||||
| 32 | R | ADREEONA DIXSON – PARA/ECFC | 08/19/2024 | 181 DAYS, LEVEL B, STEP 0 $16.07/HR |
| 33 | C | SHARON ROSA – RIDER/TRANSPORTATION | 08/19/2024 | 176 DAYS, STEP 3 $15.16/HR |
| 34 | R | WILLIAM NEESE – DRIVER/TRANSPORTATION | 08/19/2024 | 176 DAYS, STEP 0 $20.42/HR |
| 35 | R | LISA BARNES – KITCHEN HELPER/ROONEY | 08/26/2024 | 173 DAYS, STEP 3 $16.22/HR |
| 36 | PR | LOGAN EATON – ASST. BASEBALL COACH/QHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | VOLUNTEER COACH/NO PAY |
| 37 | R | TRINITY THOMAS – NIGHT CUSTODIAN/QJHS | 08/26/2024 | 260 DAYS, STEP 0 $16.40/HR |
| 38 | R | MADISON IPPENSEN – SECRETARY/ECFC | 08/26/2024 | 213 DAYS, STEP 0 $17.65/HR |
| 39 | PR | RYAN CLAIR – ASST. WRESTLING COACH/QHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | VOLUNTEER COACH/NO PAY |
| 40 | C | KAREN HOWELL – KITCHEN HELPER/QJHS | 09/03/2024 | 173 DAYS, STEP 5 $16.33/HR |
| 41 | R | SABRINA THOMAS – RIDER/TRANSPORTATION | 08/28/2024 | 166 DAYS, STEP 1 $15.03/HR |
| 42 | R | MICHELLE SCHEUERMANN – PARA/ECFC | 08/30/2024 | 181 DAYS, LEVEL B, STEP 0 $16.07/HR |
| 43 | R | DONALD SHAW – RIDER/TRANSPORTATION | 09/03/2024 | 176 DAYS, STEP 0 $15.00/HR |
| 44 | C | CHRIS SMITH – RIDER/TRANSPORTATION (FULL TIME TO PART-TIME) | 09/03/2024 | 176 DAYS, STEP 10 $16.70/HR |
| 45 | B | LAMOR HICKMAN – ASST. WRESTING COACH/QHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | BOOSTER PAID - $2,000.00 STIPEND |
| 46 | R | SHEA O’BRIEN – ACADEMIC CURRICULUM
LIAISON/QJHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | TITLE 1 GRANT - $1,500.00 STIPEND |
| 47 | R | TERRY SCHWARTZ – DRIVER/TRANSPORTATION | 09/04/2024 | 176 DAYS, STEP 4 $20.78/HR |
| 48 | PR | CHARLES BLACKORBY – ASST. TRAP COACH – QJHS/QHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | VOLUNTEER COACH/NO PAY |
| 49 | PR | RYAN HAGENAH – ASST. TRAP COACH – QJHS/QHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | VOLUNTEER COACH/NO PAY |
| 50 | PR | KYLE KNIGHT – ASST. TRAP COACH – QJHS/QHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | VOLUNTEER COACH/NO PAY |
| 51 | R | BRUCE BONNESS – ASST. VARSITY BASKETBALL COACH/QHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | STEP 0 $5,479.95 - STIPEND |
| 52 | PR | RALPH MCREYNOLDS – ASST. RIFLE COACH – QJHS/QHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | VOLUNTEER COACH/NO PAY |
| 53 | R | KYLEE WEDDING – PARA/DENMAN | 09/19/2024 | 181 DAYS, LEVEL C, STEP 0 $16.12/HR |
| 54 | R | JUDITH CARTER – CAFETERIA COORDINATOR/ROONEY | 09/18/2024 | 177 DAYS, STEP 5 $16.55/HR |
| 55 | C | JAROD CLARK – ASST. 8TH GRADE BASKETBALL COACH/QJHS | 2024-25 SCH YR | BOOSTER PAID $1,300.00 STIPEND |
| 56 | R | HANNAH CONNOLLY – PARA/ILES | 09/18/2024 | 181 DAYS, LEVEL A, STEP 0 $16.05/HR |
| 57 | R | ANDREW TOPEL – PARA/QHS | 09/23/2024 | 181 DAYS, LEVEL C, STEP 3 $16.44/HR |
| RESIGNATIONS | ||||
| 58 | EDWARD SAILER – MARCHING BAND ASST. DIRECTOR STIPEND POSITION | 08/12/2024 | ||
| 59 | IMMANUEL SCENSY – DRIVER/TRANSPORTATION | 09/02/2024 | ||
| 60 | SUSAN BESWICK – PARA/DENMAN | 08/20/2024 | ||
| 61 | ASHLEY ORR – COOK/QHS | 08/23/2024 | ||
| 62 | TAMMY RAY – FISCAL SERVICES MANAGER/BOE | 09/12/2024 | ||
| 63 | KERI STAMPLEY – RIDER/TRANSPORTATION (176 DAY ROUTE) | 08/30/2024 | ||
| 64 | KERI STAMPLEY – RIDER/TRANSPORTATION (163 DAY ROUTE) | 08/30/2024 | ||
| 65 | MADISON MEYER – PARA/QHS | 08/12/2024 | ||
| 66 | JESSI HOLTMAN – COOK/LINCOLN-DOUGLAS | 09/05/2024 | ||
| 67 | GABRIELLE HALEY-BLISS – DRIVER/TRANSPORTATION | 09/05/2024 | ||
| LEAVE OF ABSENCE | ||||
| 68 | AUDREY WOODWORTH – SSFL/THE ACADEMY | UPDATE | 01/03/2024-09/13/2024 | |
| 69 | SHAMMIE WAGNER – KITCHEN HELPER/ROONEY | 08/15/2024-11/06/2024 | ||
| 70 | PATRICK TAYLOR – CUSTODIAN/FLINN | UPDATE | 08/20/2024-09/03/2024 | |
| 71 | BEN CHURCH – TECHNOLOGY/BOE | UPDATE | 31 DAYS FOR FMLA | |
| 72 | KRYSTIN HALTERMAN – COOK/QJHS | 08/28/2024-11/29/2024 | ||
| 73 | HALEY BROWN – SSFL/ROONEY | 08/12/2024-05/23/2025 (AS NEEDED) | ||
| 74 | SILVANA O’BRIEN – PARA/BALDWIN | 11/16/2024-12/31/2024 | ||
| 75 | ALAN CANNADY – SECURITY/DENMAN | 09/10/2024-09/20/2024 | ||
| 76 | MELISSA JANSEN – FAMILY SUPPORT/ECFC | 09/13/2024-11/08/2024 | ||
| 77 | CHRISTOPHER TURNER – SSFL/QJHS | 09/23/2024-09/27/2024 | ||
| 78 | MICHELE GILLILAND – KITCHEN HELPER/ROONEY | 09/30/2024-10/04/2024 | ||
| 79 | TRACY UPLINGER – PARA/ECFC | UPDATE | 09/05/2024-09/12/2024 | |
| 80 | STACY GIBSON – PARA/QJHS | 09/27/2024-10/10/2024 | ||
| RETIREMENT | ||||
| 81 | DONNA BICHSEL – PARA/ECFC | 08/01/2025 | REQUESTING MOU 1 /APPROVED | |
At 9:03 p.m., it was moved by Member Arns that the regular meeting adjourn. The motion carried with all in favor and the regular meeting was duly adjourned.
https://www.qps.org/wp-content/uploads/092524regmnt.pdf
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