Cal Lee says no parent s issue is more important than another, he will serve the entire district
Quincy The temporary superintendent of the school system wasted no time in becoming caught up in the chaos.
Since accepting the position offered by the QPS School Board last week, Cal Lee has been traveling throughout the district. Denman Elementary School was one of them.Due to two state investigations into their behavior, two of the PE teachers there are still on paid leave.
The ambiance was friendly, Lee said MRN. However, how could there not be some fear?
Perhaps it was just me, but Lee told MRN that they were probably wondering why this person showed up after everything that had happened. I was rather happy once we started the visit.
After parents expressed dissatisfaction with a lack of transparency regarding a Department of Children and Families (DCFS) inquiry conducted in November 2024, his predecessor, Todd Pettit, came to a separation arrangement with the school board. The following May, Muddy River News made it public for the first time.
The fact that the teachers stayed at the school until DCFS decided that their behavior was wrong but not illegal infuriated the parents as well.
When worries persisted, DCFS and the Illinois State Board of Investigation, or ISBE, began a second investigation this summer.
Before making suggestions, Lee stated that he would personally review any written reports and surveillance footage.
Additionally, he is inclined to talk to families who were directly affected, whose kids had birthday spankings or had their mouths taped shut. provided that it doesn’t impede the state’s actions.
According to Lee, “I have a whole district that I’m equally concerned about, but we’re concerned about this particular issue that involves a finite number of students and parents.” I’m not going to ignore this. However, I will not lose sight of the fact that my main objective is to educate every child.
Lee has been developing techniques to support student progress at QPS for three stints. After Moline, Illinois, where he was superintendent, Quincy is his second favorite district.
The problems of one parent are not, in my opinion, any less significant than those of another. I don’t want anyone to believe that I’m unhappy about having to cope with this (Denman). I will examine the current situation and attempt to make it better. I’m going to focus on children and give this my all attention.
Lee joked to MRN that he’s still trying to get his computer to operate so he can see if he’s received a response to the letter he sent to Denman’s parents.
He claims to be on call around-the-clock, despite the fact that, as a retiree, he is only allowed to serve for up to 70 days on-site in Quincy.
He says he’s up for the task and expects to inspire while making the three-hour commute from his home in Moline.
Regarding the Quincy community, Lee remarked, “I don’t think we dream big enough.” Our children, in my opinion, are unaware of their limitless potential.
According to Lee, he has examined senior profiles throughout the years and found that graduates from private and religious schools, as well as the Moline district he oversaw, traveled great distances for college and other opportunities.
In 2015, he conducted a similar study in Quincy, and all of them appeared to remain local.
I have observed the pupils. I’ve seen the employees. They have every reason to have more ambitious dreams.
He claims that since his first visits to several schools, he has only encountered welcoming faces and attitudes that convey gratitude for his presence.
On his first day last Friday, he went to all five elementary schools.
Within five to ten minutes, you can determine whether a school is operating effectively. You feel your way through it. Here, I get that. I felt no cloud over them, not even at Denman. When I stepped in, they probably thought, “Oh no.” What is this man trying to do? I’ve been happy.
Lee claims that his faith in the board, the administration, and the employees is one of the reasons he returned from retirement.
Students will be given priority. I wouldn’t have returned if I believed they were more focused on other matters and unconcerned with student success. I might be drinking coffee at home. I’m back because I think it’s real. I definitely have faith in the staff.
