Schrand, Koscielski honored by Quincy School Board

January 26, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher

QPS Board President Shelley Arns presents Legend Awards to the children of the late Paul Koscielski, Stephanie and Paul Jr., and Melanie Schrand at Wednesday night's school board meeting. - J. Robert Gough

For the second year in a row, the Quincy School Board recognized former educators with the district’s Legend Award.

The late teacher, coach and principal Paul Koscielski and former teacher and principal Melanie Schrand are this year’s recipients.

Koscielski’s career spanned more than 30 years and all levels of the Quincy Public School system, working as a teacher, coach, dean, and principal.

“His successes in educating children can probably be attributed to something teachers and educational leaders strive to do today, through creating relationships,” said Board President Shelley Arns. “Paul could always be seen greeting students in the school hallways or cheering for them on the sidelines at most sporting events or sharing his favorite joke with whoever would listen. His presence showed students how much he cared about them and their education.”

Koscielski was the football coach at Quincy High School before becoming principal at Adams School and ended his career in education as QHS principal.

Schrand began her QPS career in 1988 by teaching 6^th grade at Baldwin West, where she would eventually become principal.

“Mrs. Schrand’s dedication is apparent, not only because of the many hours she could be found at school planning and preparing, but also by the many years she remained at Baldwin Intermediate School,” Arns said. “Thirty years of her career were spent there, 16 as a classroom teacher and 14 as Baldwin West principal. As a fellow colleague of Melanie’s during her Baldwin tenure, I can assure you her priority were her students and fellow educators.”

Following the district’s move to K-5 elementary schools, Schrand was the first principal for Dr. Abby Fox Rooney Elementary before retiring in 2021.

The School Board established the award last year to recognize long-time employees who “made profound impact on the lives of both students and staff,” according to Arns. Bill Brothers, Bill Fessler, Dick Moore and Charles Akright were the first recipients of Legend Awards in 2022.

In other action, board members:

Approved a recommendation from the Policy Committee for some new policies and changes in existing policies. The Building and Finance Committees did not meet in January. Click here to see the policy changes.

Approved the $645,695 food/non-food bid from Kohl Wholesale.

Adopted the 2023-24 school calendar. Teachers report Aug. 14 and classes will begin Aug. 16. The school year ends May 21, provided few or no school emergency (snow) days are used.