For generations, Quincy Public Schools (QPS) has worked to educate students and teachers to achieve personal excellence while carefully managing taxpayer dollars. However, our district is now facing a reality in which the needs of our students and schools are much greater than what current funding can support.
We are navigating challenges that affect every part of our district, including attracting and keeping quality teachers and staff, preparing students for life after graduation, taking care of our aging buildings and managing ongoing financial pressures.
As a community, we will have to consider some important decisions. These may include adjusting or scaling back parts of our educational programs to reduce costs, identifying new sources of revenue, or a combination of both.
Quincy Together is a community-led process to bring families, staff and residents together in conversation as we work to develop solutions to these challenges that reflect Quincy’s values.
This page will be your home for updates, background information, and opportunities to get involved as we work together to address these issues.
We know the best solutions for the challenges facing our schools will come from all of us working together as a community.
Quincy Together Community Engagement FAQ
What is Quincy Together?
Quincy Together is a program to bring the community together to develop a long-term vision for the future of our schools that reflects our community’s values and priorities. Quincy Together will take a deep dive into the big challenges facing the district today:
- Remaining Competitive with Teacher Salaries/Benefits
- Preparing Students for Their Future
- Expenditures Outpacing Revenues
- Eroding Fund Balance
- Aging Schools and Facilities
By listening to everyone and understanding the challenges ahead, we can work together to support student success now and for years to come.
Who can participate?
Everyone in the Quincy community is encouraged to attend our community engagement workshops, open houses and building tours, and participate in our online surveys.
Do I need to attend every community engagement workshop?
While attending every workshop is helpful, it is not required. We encourage everyone to participate in the process as their schedule allows, even if it’s only one workshop, building tour or open house.
Why should I get involved?
Participants in Quincy Together are developing recommendations for the Board of Education that include a long-range vision regarding the overall operations of the Quincy Public Schools. These recommendations will reflect the thoughts and opinions of our entire community, and we need to hear what you think!
Who is leading Quincy Together?
Quincy Together is a community-led effort. There are community co-chairs who lead a facilitating team of parents, staff, community leaders and district leadership. This facilitating team is responsible for developing the monthly community engagement workshops and other ways to gather community feedback. The facilitating team also leads the preparation of the final recommendation of goals and priorities for the Board of Education.
What can I expect at a Quincy Together community engagement workshop?
Each community engagement workshop is an interactive workshop that includes a 30 - 45 minute informational presentation on a specific topic followed by a small-group work activity. Participants are seated in groups of four to eight people and work together to come to a general agreement on a series of tasks related to the informational presentation. When the tasks are completed, each group shares their ideas and suggestions with everyone in attendance.
The feedback gathered during these work activities serves as the foundation for the recommendations to the Board of Education.
How long are the community engagement workshops?
Each community engagement workshop runs from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. We want to be respectful of your time and will end every workshop by 7:30 p.m., if not before. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. with a light meal available.
When are the engagement workshops?
The engagement workshops are scheduled for these dates:
- Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Quincy High School
- Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Quincy High School
- Tuesday, March 24, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Quincy High School
- Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Quincy High School
- Tuesday, May 19, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Quincy High School
Is this a continuation of the community engagement and planning that started in 2024?
Yes, in 2024, we began engaging the community with a focus on the district’s financial challenges. Early feedback made it clear that the conversations needed to go beyond just finances. We are now continuing this work to develop a sustainable long-range vision that reflects both community values and fiscal realities.
Where are the community engagement workshops held?
Our Quincy Together workshops will take place at Quincy High School.
What topics will be covered in the Quincy Together process?
Our first community workshop will provide an overview of QPS and the challenges we need to address. The following workshops will take a deeper dive into those challenges based on feedback from workshop participants.
When are the building tours and open houses?
The building tours and open houses are scheduled for the week of Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Stay tuned to our website (link to website) for details.
I missed a workshop. Is there a way to see what was covered?
Yes! All of the Quincy Together community engagement workshops are thoroughly documented. For information about each workshop, click here (link to engagement workshop materials).
Can children come to the community engagement workshops?
Childcare will be available for children 3+ years of age. Please RSVP by emailing oakleyan@qps.org.
If I can't attend a community engagement workshop, is there a way to provide my input and suggestions?
Yes, throughout the process we will be offering surveys, open house events and more to give everyone in the community the opportunity to provide feedback. Stay tuned to our social media channels and website for more information.
I have a question. How can I find out more?
To learn more, email oakleyan@qps.org 217-223-8700.
