Quincy Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met Aug. 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 August 20, 2025, 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, Dodd, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following member was absent: Member Petty. 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 Dr. Lee.

Open Public Hearing

President Arns opened the public hearing on the 2025-2026 West Central Region Joint Agreement Budget, 2025-2026 QAVTC Budget, and the 2025-2026 Special Education Association Budget. There were no comments at the 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. There were none.

Dennis Williams & Gabrielle Esselman (Bella Ease)

Dennis and Gabby expressed their desire to partner with the district in serving suspended and expelled students. They encouraged the district to refer students to Bella Ease, where academic support, tutoring, meals, and additional services are available through their 21st Century grant.

Consent Agenda

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

a. Treasurer’s Report – July 2025

b. Minutes – July 23, 2025, August 1, 2025, and August 13, 2025

c. Check Register and JH/SH Activity Fund Reports

d. Acknowledge receipt of the Freedom of Information Log: July 19 through August 15, 2025 (Information Only)

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

Reports of the Superintendent

Dr. Cal Lee addressed the Board, noting this is his third time working with the district and emphasizing his positive experiences with prior boards and staff. He expressed confidence in the current Board’s strength, acknowledged the district’s pressing challenges, and affirmed his commitment to provide full support during his interim term.

Building Committee

The Building Committee did not meet in August.

District Improvement Committee

The District Improvement Committee did not meet in August.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee met and reviewed the 2025-26 Tentative District Budget. Chief of Business Operations Ryan Whicker summarized the proposed $97 million balanced budget, which includes a 3% salary increase for non-certified staff, adjustments to TRS contributions for certified staff, and a 5% increase in health insurance costs. Revenues reflect a $2.1 million increase from local property taxes due to an 8.7% rise in assessed valuation, as well as a $580,000 increase in state evidence-based funding, though federal revenues decreased by $14.6 million with the expiration of ESSER grants. Major expenditures include salary and benefit increases, higher utility and insurance costs, and a $4.6 million reduction in capital outlay following completion of the Central Services building. Strategic use of COVID funds helped bolster reserves, positioning the district to maintain a balanced budget despite funding shifts.

Discipline Committee

The Discipline Committee did not meet in August.

Policy Committee

It was recommended by the Policy Committee and moved by Member Whitfield to remove from the table and adopt the following June 2025 PRESS Policy Updates:

1:10 School District Legal Status1:20 District Organization, Operations, and Cooperative Agreements2:80 Board Member Oath and Conduct2:130 Board-Superintendent Relationship7:40 Nonpublic School Students, Including Parochial and Home-Schooled Students7:90 Release During School Hours7:130 Student Rights and Responsibilities7:140 Search and Seizure7:300 Extracurricular Athletics7:325 Student Fundraising Activities8:80 Gifts to the District

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

Close Public Hearing

President Arns asked if there were any questions regarding the 2025-2026 West Central Regional Joint Agreement Budget, 2025-2026 QAVTC Budget and the 2025-2026 Special Education Association Budget prior to closing the hearing. President Arns closed the hearing at 6:10 p.m.

2025-2026 Special Education Association Budget

It was moved by Member Sethaler and seconded by Member Davis to approve the 2025-2026 Special Education Association Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3978). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, Dodd, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member Petty. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

2025-2026 QAVTC Budget

It was moved by Member Brock and seconded by Member Arns to approve the 2025-2026 QAVTC Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3979). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, Dodd, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member Petty. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

2025-2026 West Central Region Joint Agreement Budget

It was moved by Member Sethaler and seconded by Member Arns to approve the 2025-2026 West Central Region Joint Agreement Budget (Doc. Reg. No. 3980). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, Dodd, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member Petty. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Resolution on Tentative 2025-2026 Quincy School District Budget

It was moved by Member Dodd and seconded by Member Sethaler to approve the Resolution of Presentation of Tentative 2025-2026 Quincy School District Budget and set hearing date as September 24, 2025 (Doc. Reg. No. 3981). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Arns, Brock, Davis, Dodd, Sethaler, and Whitfield; and the following members voted Nay: None; and the following member was absent: Member Petty. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Executive Session

The Board did not go into executive session.

Personnel Addendum

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

Adjournment

At 6:19 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/08.20.25-regmnt.pdf