Richard McNay, Board Member | Quincy Public Schools
Richard McNay, Board Member | Quincy Public Schools
Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met Nov. 20.
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 November 20, 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, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared a quorum was present.
Moment of Silence
President Arns declared a moment of silence and reflection in memory of Tys Reinhard, a QHS student, and Pat Rokusek, a former QPS educator and principal for 34 years.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Member McNay.
Arrival of Member Petty
Member Petty arrived at 6:08 p.m., which was duly noted by the Board Secretary. Questions and Comments
President Arns opened the meeting to questions and comments to members of the Board, by members of the public.
Board Member McNay Recognition
Former board member Sayeed Ali highlighted McNay’s attention to detail, his accountability, and thanked him for being a strong advocate and super booster for the district and for his positive influence on the board.
Former Superintendent Webb thanked Richard for all his work with Building and Grounds, keeping things on schedule, and for his involvement in Finance, in keeping us under budget. He praised Richard’s integrity, values and character.
Superintendent Pettit presented Mr. McNay with the Spirit and Pride Award in recognition of his years of selfless commitment to Quincy Public Schools.
President Arns presented a flag that had been flown over Rooney School, thanking him for his dedicated service to the community and expressing appreciation for his willingness to serve beyond the two terms he originally intended to serve.
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 October 2024
b. Minutes – October 23, 2024
c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports
d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: October 19 – November 15, 2024 (None)
e. German Club Field Trip to Christkindlmarket Chicago December 7 - December 8, 2024
On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler 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
Super’s 8 District Highlights
1. Students at Rooney Elementary School, led by Nukumori House students, celebrated World Kindness Day by playing bingo, earning squares by doing acts of service for their classmates and teachers.
2. Local author, Ron Kinscherf, visited Baldwin this month, talking with students about his process writing children’s book.
3. Students at the Academy put their growing knowledge of the inner workings of the brain on display, by competing in a door decorating contest. Student were judged on creativity, theme and effort of their creations.
4. The intramural basketball program, started at Iles Elementary by paraprofessional Trudy Gay last year, has expanded its offering to Rooney and Lincoln-Douglas Elementaries, with fifty 3rd through 5th graders participating.
5. More than 150 musicians from QPS were selected for the Illinois Music Education Association’s All-District Festivals. The performances were held this month in Springfield.
6. Iles Elementary School hosted a Family Read Night where more than 300 families had pizza and visited art, math and writing stations.
7. Junior High students were treated to a high-energy presentation by speaker and author Jordan Toma. Toma shared his story about growing up with a learning disability and encouraging students to turn their struggles into their strengths.
8. Denman Elementary hosted the book fair this week and even had a visit from Piggie and Gerard from the Elephant and Piggie book series.
Building Committee
The Building Committee did not meet in November.
District Improvement Committee
Chairperson Arns shared that the District Improvement Committee reviewed the K-5 New Math & Literacy Curriculum Resource along with the annual Illinois School Report Card from 2023-24. The Report Card provides accountability by demonstrating how the state, and each school and district are progressing toward a wide range of educational goals. The committee reviewed QPS data for student enrollment and their academic progress comparing 2023-2024 and 2022-2023. The Report Card provides information and explanation on Summative Designations. QPS has seven commendable schools and one targeted support school.
Finance Committee
Chief of Business Operations Whicker shared that the Finance Committee reviewed the levy and went over the audit. The district was 33% through the fiscal year, and the Education Fund expenditures to date were 31.54% of the budgeted amount through October 2024. He noted that the O&M Fund expenditures were at 35.55% due to final contractor payments being made at the new Central Services Facility, and that the Transportation Fund expenditures were at 52.56% of the budgeted amount due to the annual bus lease payments being paid in July. He also noted that the Tort Fund expenditures were at 52.93% of the budgeted amount, due to the annual premium for general liability and workman’s compensation insurance being paid in July. The Fire Prevention & Health Life Safety expenditures were at 58.38% of the budgeted amount due to final contractor bills from summer projects.
Mr. Whicker explained that there were a number of assumptions used to complete the five-year budget projections, such as: annual EAV increases at a rate of 2.5%, annual Evidence-Based Funding increases at 2%, CPPRT increases at 1%, Staffing Levels unchanged, etc. The projections indicated deficit spending in the Operating Funds (Education, Operation & Maintenance, and Transportation) beginning in fiscal year 2025-26 and fund balances going into the negative beginning fiscal year 2029-30.
Mr. Whicker stated that he based the tentative tax levy on a 10.00% increase in EAV. He stated that he was unable to obtain an EAV estimate from the county as key property value assessments/appeals are still taking place. The calculation shows a total tentative tax rate approximately seven cents lower than in tax year 2023. However, based on an EAV increase of 5% the tax rate is only one cent lower. The district has maintained the IMRF levy to $750k and the Social Security levy to $1.5M. Since the dollars in IMRF fund are highly restrictive, it makes no sense for the district to have excess money in this fund. The District will continue to reduce the fund balance over the next few years. Truth in taxation law, estimate in paper and hearing.
Whicker reviewed the district’s fiscal year 2023-24 audited financial statements. The education fund, the district's largest operating fund, took in $826k more than it spent, and finished the year with a $34.1 million balance. The operations and maintenance fund finished the year with a $2 million balance. The transportation fund ended the year with a $4.3 million balance. Overall, the operating funds have approximately 201 days of funds in reserve. The district’s financial profile score decreased to 3.45 in FY 2023-24 due to a change in expenditures to revenue ratio. The audit report listed one minor finding.
Sale of Surplus Property—Dell Latitudes 3420 Computers
It was recommended by the Finance Committee and moved by Member Arns to approve the Sale of Surplus Property—600 Dell Latitude 3420 computers at $134 each for devices in good or fair condition and $35 each for devices in poor condition. (Doc. Reg. No. 3911). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Discipline Committee
The Discipline Committee did not meet in November.
Policy Committee
It was recommended by the Policy Committee and moved by Member Whitfield to remove from the table and adopt the following August 2024 PRESS Policy revisions:
| PRESS Service Updates August 2024 | |
| 2:260 | Uniform Grievance Procedure |
| 2:265 | Title IX Grievance Procedure |
| 5:100 | Staff Development Program |
| 7:20 | Harassment of Students Prohibited |
| 7:185 | Teen Dating Violence Prohibited |
Resolution Regarding Estimated Amount Necessary to be Levied and Set Public Hearing
It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Arns to adopt the Resolution Regarding Estimated Amount Necessary to be Levied for the Year 2024, set public hearing for December 18, 2024; and direct compliance with the Truth in Taxation law as necessary (Doc. Reg. No. 3912). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
IASB Delegate Resolutions
Member Petty shared the resolutions to be acted upon at the annual meeting of the IASB Delegate Assembly on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Member Petty was nominated to be the voting delegate for Quincy Public Schools Board. There are ten resolutions being considered at the assembly. A motion was made by President Arns and seconded by Member Davis to direct delegate votes at the delegate assembly as follows: I move that Rachael Petty be granted the authority to vote on the IASB resolutions at the 2024 IASB Delegate Assembly with her independent discretion based on the consensus of the Quincy #172 School Board on 11/20/24 and any discussions had on each resolution at the 2024 IASB Delegate Assembly. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
School Maintenance Project Grant
It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Sethaler to approve Applying for the School Maintenance Project Grant. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Executive Session
At 6:38 p.m., it was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member McNay 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; 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 Arns, Davis, McNay, Petty, Sethaler and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following members were absent: Member Brock. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Resumption of Rules
It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Sethaler to resume the conduct of the regular meeting under rules. All in favor. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Student Discipline
It was moved by Member Arns and seconded by Member Sethaler to adopt the recommendation regarding expulsion for one QHS student, the suspended expulsion for one student from The Academy, and pre-expulsion agreements for two QHS students, one QJHS student, and one student from Iles. All in favor. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Personnel Addendum
It was moved by Member Sethaler and seconded by Member Arns to approve the Revised Personnel Addendum. All in favor. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
Board Member McNay Resignation
Member McNay submitted a letter to the Board Secretary resigning from the Board effective 11/21/24 (Doc. Reg. No. 3913).
Adjournment
At 7:50 p.m., it was moved by Member McNay and seconded 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/112024regmnt.pdf
Alerts Sign-up