Quincy School Board approves $112.9 million budget; receives $630,000 teacher incentive grant

QUINCY — After 30 days of review, the Quincy School Board unanimously passed its 2023-24 budget Wednesday night.

The $112.9 million spending plan includes a 4 percent average salary increase for district employees and a 20 percent increase in health insurance costs.

The rising cost of health insurance and the $7.1 million being spent on the district’s new transportation and maintenance complex are the main drivers in the budget increase.

The budget is projected to be balanced with increased revenues across the board from funding sources as well as spending down reserves as the district will end the year with a $66.2 million balance.

Superintendent Todd Pettit told the board about a new teacher vacancy grant pilot program through the Illinois State Board of Education that provides funds financial incentives to support teacher recruitment and hiring as well as keep current teachers in the district.

Pettit said the funding will not only go toward new hires, but existing staff will also be eligible to participate through stipends and supplies.

New teachers will receive $750 at the end of their first year, $1,000 after the second and $1,250 after the third. Special education teachers will be eligible for a $450 stipend and all teachers can qualify for up to $200 in supplies.

Pettit also said he is working on a project to look into utilizing solar energy at buildings throughout the district. He is establishing a Solar Study Committee as the district’s energy costs have nearly doubled in the last year.

In other action, board members approved:

• A $748,350 bid from Thermal Mechanics Inc. (TMI) for preliminary HVAC work at Quincy High School’s E Building. Building Committee Chairman Richard McNay said while the previous system installed by TMI did not last as long as it should have, this is an entirely different system and should be able to keep up with the building’s needs. The entire replacement is expected to cost $2.5 million and will be completed next summer.

• Accepted a $183,721 bid for playground equipment at Iles Elementary that accommodates special needs students.