QUINCY (WGEM) – In a special meeting Friday morning, the Quincy Public School Board suspended Superintendent Todd Pettit with pay pending further action.
They also suspended the two teachers, Kimberly Kirby and Jennifer Oitker, who allegedly took part in the incident at Denman Elementary. Both will still be paid.
QPS Board President Shelley Arns said they suspended them with pay because it will allow for a longer investigation into the situation. She said a suspension without pay would have lasted only 30 days.
Arns expressed disappointment in how Pettit handled the situation.
“I just think ultimately, as the head of a district, you have to be the final answerer for the district and I think in this particular situation, there were several steps that felt short and that we would’ve like to have seen more leadership from that office,“ Arns said.
The Department of Children and Family Services and Illinois State Board of Education are currently investigating the incident.
Pettit reported in early November, QPS received reports from parents reporting concerns over birthday spankings and the use of tape on students. He said the district investigated the conduct and made sure it ended immediately.
Last month, concerned parents held a protest at a Quincy School Board meeting, demanding the board to take further action.
Arns said the board decided to have a special meeting immediately following the previous board meeting.
Before last week, Arns said there were five transfer requests out of Denman Elementary. She said those request will still be handled.
The Denman Action Plan includes a review of the staff handbook, a review of complaint procedures, a security assessment, and a climate check.
“This is a fluid process and plan, but all in the attempt to make QPS great,” Arns said during the meeting.
Arns said to fill Pettit’s role, they plan to have Chief of Business Operations Ryan Whicker and the Director of Teachers and Learning Kimberly Dinkheller will step in.
Arns believes the entire situation has opened the Board’s eyes to any shortfalls at QPS.
“If we have something we can improve, we’re going to do it,” she said. “You’re only as strong as your weakest link, so figure out where those things are and put measures in place to make them stronger.”
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