West Central Reporter

Quincy Public School District 172 Board of Education met Jan. 25.

Here is the minutes as provided by the Board:

Meeting Convened 

The Board of Education of School District No. 172, Adams County, Illinois, met in regular session on January 25, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. at Washington School, 1400 N. 8th 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, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Rose, Troup and Whitfield; and the following member was absent: None. Whereupon the President declared a quorum was present.

Moment of Silence 

The President declared a moment of silence and reflection.

Pledge of Allegiance 

Washington Principal Sara Cramer led the Pledge of Allegiance

Focus on Students – Good Things Going On!

1. Public Information Report. Raquel Piazza reported on upcoming events and activities in the schools. QHS art students will be completing a mural at the newly added bus entrance. 100th Day activities are being held at some of the schools on February 2. Liz Bentley, a local musician, will share songs of the Old South on February 24 at 12:30 p.m. in Mrs. Barnett’s 4th grade class at Baldwin South. Some Baldwin classrooms will be participating in an Annual Reading Fair. Baldwin School Drama Club will present The Lion King Jr. Performances are Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, March 2 and Friday March 3 at 9:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

2. PTA Report. Washington PTA President Jessica Edgar presented the PTA report. Some of the PTA activities included a Rock & Roll Celebration in September, Bingo night with Madison Park Church providing pizza and prizes, Santa’s Workshop, and t-shirts were provided to students for Christmas gifts. An ice cream social and carnival are being planned for spring.

Questions and Comments 

President Ali opened the meeting to questions and comments to members of the Board, by members of the public and employees of the district, in compliance with state statutes

Jeff Kerkhoff commented on being a former student of Washington School. He handed out information on C3 (College, Career, and Civic Life Framework for Social Studies State Standards) and the harmful effects to students’ vision due to exposure to high energy digital screens.

Consent Agenda

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

a. Treasurer’s Report – December 2016

 b. Board Minutes – December 21, 2016 and January 10 and 13, 2017

 c. Acknowledge receipt of Freedom of Information Request Log December 17, 2016 through January 20, 2017(For Information Only)

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

Reports of the Superintendent

1. Workers Compensation Overview Report. Human Resource Director Dave Boster presented a report on Workers Compensation. The School District has a contract with Workers Compensation Self-Insurance Trust (WCSIT) with stop loss at $400,000 per individual claim. A third party administrator, The Sander Group, is hired by the Trust to administer the claims processing. Sander Group handles payment of Workers Compensation Disability Income for employees, payment of claims from providers and interacts and provides payments to legal counsel. The expenses for Workers Comp has decreased dramatically over the past four years. The expense in 2013/14 was $470,669.84, 2015-16 was $288,511.23. Expenses so far this year are $18,846.62. These expenses include payments to providers, disability payroll, and legal fees. Mr. Boster stated that a successful Workers Compensation program consists of three elements: 1) frequent monitoring and communication with the third party administrator, 2) back to work program, and 3) a well-run safety program. Superintendent Webb said Mr. Boster and Benefits Coordinator Teresa Kemp have done a good job of monitoring Workers Comp and implementing changes to cut costs.

2. Multi-Tiered System of Support/Response to Intervention/Special Education Co-Teachers. Carol Frericks, Director of Student Services, and Eryn Beswick, Special Education Director, reported to the Board on the current QPS Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) with Response to Intervention (RtI), and Special Education Co-Teachers. Data analysis in 2015-2016 found that the current interventions do not address the needs of all students. Mrs. Frericks provided an overview on the framework for MTSS and the process for RtI regarding both academic and social/emotional learning. MTSS is a framework for organizing a continuum of interventions for academic and social/emotional learning. RtI is a process for determining student interventions and monitoring how the student responds to the interventions. Mrs. Beswick explained the co-teaching service delivery option. Two or more teachers with equal status share a classroom and are actively engaging students in learning in a general education classroom. This would provide opportunities for differentiated instruction to address individual student needs. Co-teaching would benefit students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) by reducing the stigma, improving instruction and continuity, and giving them access to grade-level curriculum with their peers. Currently, ECFC offers blended classrooms and co-teaching teams are providing services in 4th through 12th grades. Co-teaching teams may be established in all new K-5 buildings to offer increased support in the general education classrooms for all students. Co-teaching will be implemented within the resources and budget available. FTEs (full time equivalents) will remain the same.

3. Monroe School Tour. Superintendent Webb announced that a tour will be held for Monroe Staff to tour the new building at 3:20 p.m. on Friday, February 10. Board members are invited.

4. Boundary Task Force. Public forums to review new boundaries are scheduled for January 31 @ JWCC 7-9 p.m. and February 2 @ Kroc Center 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Building Committee

The Building Committee report was presented by Chairperson McNay. Updates on the QHS addition and the new elementary schools at the Monroe, Columbus Road, Harrison Street, and 12th Street sites were presented. The committee reviewed a proposed agreement with Koontz Properties to share the cost of bringing sanitary sewer to the 12th Street school. A change order with Maas Construction to remove the “existing building demolition” item from the original Monroe School contract was also presented.

Approve Agreement with Koontz Properties

It was recommended by the Building Committee and moved by Member McNay to approve the agreement with Koontz Properties to share the cost of bringing sanitary sewer services to the N. 12th site at a cost of $18,125 (Doc. Reg. No. 2909). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Rose, Troup and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Approve Change Order with Maas Construction

It was recommended by the Building Committee and moved by Member McNay to approve a change order with Maas Construction to remove the “Existing Building Demolition” item from the original Monroe School contract (Doc. Reg. No. 2910). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Rose, Troup and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Curriculum Committee

Chairperson Sandi Rose presented the Curriculum Committee report. The committee reviewed curriculum proposals for QHS and QAVTC which will require no additional staff. Carol Frericks informed the committee that an online resource for the district’s textbook inventory is in process. The Curriculum Committee failed to have a quorum.

Approve Curriculum Proposals

It was moved by Member Rose and seconded by Member McNay to approve the following courses for QHS and QAVTC: QHS QHS/QAVTC QAVTC Environmental Science Computer Science Essentials Horticulture Science Education Pathway Graduation Requirement Computer Credit Agricultural Leadership Introduction to Education Agricultural Sales/Market Media & Technology in Education

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

Finance Committee

Chairperson McNay presented the Finance Committee report. The spring food bid was presented. Kohl Wholesale was the lone bidder at a cost of $424,212.81 which is $1.4% higher than last year (Doc. Reg. No. 2911). The check register and Junior/Senior High activity funds were reviewed.

Check Register/Jr & Sr High Activity Fund

It was recommended by the Finance Committee and moved by Member McNay to approve the Check Register dated January 20, 2017 and the junior/senior high activity funds. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Rose, Troup and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Spring Food and Non-Food Bids

It was recommended by the Finance Committee and moved by Member McNay to approve the spring bids for food and non-food items as submitted by Kohl’s Wholesale at a cost of $424,212.81 (Doc. Reg. No. 2911). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Rose, Troup and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee did not meet in January. A meeting is scheduled for February 14, 2017 – 4:00 p.m.

Discipline Committee

The Discipline Committee reviewed student discipline data for first semester under new Senate Bill 100. Chairperson Rose said the committee discussed what has gone well, areas for improvements, and what needs to change. The changes with SB 100 were not much different than was QPS had previously been doing. There is added documentation of offenses and interventions. Suspended expulsions used in the past have been replaced with Pre-Expulsion Disciplinary Agreements.

Licensed and Education Support Personnel Seniority Lists It was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Whitfield to approve 2016-2017 seniority lists for Licensed and Education Support Personnel (Doc. Reg. No. 2912). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Rose, Troup and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

2017-2018 School Calendar It was moved by Member Rose and seconded by Member Whitfield to approve the 2017-2018 school calendar (Doc. Reg. No. 2913). On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Rose, Troup and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Executive Session 

At 7:40 p.m., it was moved by Member Bailey and seconded by Member Nichols 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; 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; d) the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the District; g)student disciplinary cases; and i) pending, probable, or imminent litigation and j) attorney/client privilege. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Rose, Troup and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Resumption of Rules 

At 9:30 p.m., it was moved by Member McNay and seconded by Member Rose to resume the conduct of the regular meeting under rules. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Rose, Troup 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 Rose to adopt the recommendation made in executive session regarding pre-expulsion disciplinary agreements for one QJHS student, two QHS students and one QAVTC student. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Rose, Troup and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Personnel Addendum 

It was moved by Member Rose and seconded by Member McNay to approve the Revised Personnel Addendum as Amended. On the call of the roll, the following members voted Aye: Members Ali, Bailey, McNay, Nichols, Rose, Troup and Whitfield; and the following member voted Nay: None. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

https://www.qps.org/files/board/Minutes_201617/0122517regmnt.pdf