QPS determining next steps after Denman teachers agree to license suspension

Published 10:59 pm Friday, June 19, 2026

QUINCY — A state investigation led to suspensions for two Quincy Public Schools employees.

The Illinois State Board of Education notified QPS on Thursday about agreements for licensure sanctions related to Denman physical education teachers Jennifer Oitker and Kim Kirby.

Both teachers and then-Superintendent Todd Pettit were suspended with pay on Aug. 1, 2025, in response to ongoing concerns tied to staff action at the elementary school.

“In the agreements, each individual denied the ISBE allegations but agreed to a suspension of her teaching license for sixty calendar days beginning June 18, 2026, in order to resolve the matter without further administrative action,” according to a QPS statement released Friday night.

QPS administration now is reviewing the information provided by ISBE and determining the appropriate next steps.

“The district is focused on conducting a thorough review before making any recommendations to the Board of Education,” the statement said.

QPS “takes licensure matters seriously and is committed to taking any actions necessary to comply with state requirements, board policy and our responsibility to students, staff and the community.”

An Illinois Department of Children and Family Services investigation in November 2024, and a second one in April 2025, followed reports of “birthday spankings” being given to Denman students by the two teachers and the same teachers placing tape over the mouths of multiple students in physical education class.

The DCFS report named Kirby and Oitker in the investigations that were determined to be unfounded.

“Although the alleged incidents are found to have occurred and are inappropriate for a teacher to do, they would not inherently cause a substantial risk of injury,” DCFS said in a November 2024 report.

QPS conducted its own investigation with administration making clear the behavior “is not acceptable in any school setting” and implementing “corrective action,” which was not made public, in November 2024.

Students and parents said the behavior continued after November 2024, prompting protesters to march at 14th and Maine ahead of the July 23 board meeting and the special Aug. 1 meeting and more than an hour of public comment tied to Denman on Aug. 1.

The board cited concerns with Pettit over the investigation of the Denman situation and communication with the parents involved before formalizing a separation agreement on Aug. 13 with Pettit.

Two interim superintendents served the district in the 2025-26 year, and two long-term substitutes handled Denman PE classes.