QPS pledges to “do better” following Denman staff issue

Published 11:00 pm Wednesday, June 24, 2026

QUINCY — A Quincy School Board statement offered some reassurance to Denman parents as efforts continue to resolve a staff conduct situation at Denman Elementary School.

“I think we have hope that they will finally do the right decision for our district and our school,” said Mariana Mendez, who has a son at Denman.

Mendez and Katie Myers, another Denman parent, spoke at Wednesday night’s School Board meeting to raise concerns again about physical education teachers Jennifer Oitker and Kim Kirby.

Both teachers and then-Superintendent Todd Pettit were suspended with pay on Aug. 1, 2025 following investigations of 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.

Myers read from an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services investigative report citing security footage of a gym class on Nov. 8, 2024, which appears to show students in a physical education class being given tape to put over their mouths, students with tape on their mouths and students playfully swatting Kirby.

Mendez reminded board members that doing the right thing is not always easy but necessary.

“A commitment to student safety should always come before protecting reputation or avoiding difficult conversations,” she said. “I continue to ask myself why this feels like a fight between community and district. We should all be on the same side.”

In an agreement reached with the Illinois State Board of education, both teachers denied ISBE allegations but agreed to a suspension of their teaching license for 60 calendar days beginning June 18 in order to resolve the matter without further administrative action.

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

Quincy Public Schools had no part in reaching the agreement with ISBE, but “we’re hopeful this agreement represents a meaningful step forward in resolving this matter and allowing everyone involved to move forward,” said board member Curtis Sethaler, speaking on behalf of the full board.

“The complexities of this situation are immense and have been incredibly difficult to navigate and challenging to fully explain. Throughout this process, our priorities have remained unchanged, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students, supporting many staff members who were affected by these events and continuing to serve our students with professionalism and care.”

But Sethaler said QPS could have handled some things differently, including communicating more clearly and consistently throughout the process.

“Our responsibility is to learn from this experience, move forward and do better,” he said.

He thanked those who shared at board meetings, who challenged board decisions and whose engagement helped reinforce the accountability that public service requires.

“Thank you for speaking up. Thank you for being here,” Sethaler said. “While the situation is not fully resolved, we are hopeful a resolution is near and we can turn our whole attention to the work that matters the most – educating and supporting our students that you have entrusted to our care.”

Denman parents say rebuilding broken trust will take time.

“I will believe it when I see it,” Myers said.

“What Curtis said was a step in the right direction (of) having trust again,” said Jordan Lewton, who has a fourth-grader and an incoming kindergartner at the school. “He has said things no one has yet said by thanking us for being here, acknowledging our concerns. No one has publicly said that.”