Group of EHS Teachers On Hand to Support Lewis at Monday Board Meeting

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Published on January 23 2017 10:47 pm
Last Updated on January 23 2017 10:47 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

A group of Effingham High School teachers were on hand at Monday night's Unit 40 School Board meeting in support of EHS Assistant Principal Cody Lewis even as individuals have been seeking support for online petitions alleging Lewis has abused his authority.

Two of the teachers spoke on Lewis' behalf, including EHS teacher and Lewis' brother-in-law Josh Robison.

Unit 40 Board President Jeff Michael said after the meeting that Robison spoke in support of Lewis both from a personal and a professional standpoint. Teacher Marina Zaring also spoke on Lewis' behalf.

The online petition alleges Lewis has "alternatively chose(n) to belittle, harass and intimidate (students)." The petition also alleges Lewis has committed violations of the Illinois School Code and the Constitution.

Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan released a statement Monday regarding the situation. Doan's statement indicates that the district goals for its students "cannot be achieved unless students are allowed to learn and grow in a safe and productive learning environment." The statement continues, "Occasionally, students' behaviors violate the School District policies and become distractive to other students or place their safety at risk, thereby disrupting the educational process. Many of these behaviors are addressed through minor corrective measures at the building level. Infrequently, further consequences are necessary to address the misconduct and the student must be suspended and, on occasion, expelled from school. At no time is a student ever subjected to suspension of explusion from school without affording them appropriate due process. All students are provided notice of their right to appeal a suspension to the Board of Education, and no student is ever expelled from Effingham Unit 40 without the School Board conducting a hearing."

The statement also indicates that "the School District has continually been evaluating its disciplinary process and making adjustments where needed."

The School Board Monday also discussed what should be pursued as far as district buildings and whether a new junior high school building should be considered. Doan said there was no consensus reached on the issue at the meeting. A new junior high school and necessary work on the Central Grade School building to make it a Pre-K to 5 building were discussed, but there is uncertainty over available funds, particularly until it's known whether the April sales tax question is passed.

The Board acted on several personnel matters. Dick Reimers was hired as high school boys head track coach, and Sarah Sapp was released as a district cook. Doris Percival's retirement as a bus driver as of the end of the school year was accepted, and several leaves were approved. Those are for Nancy Ervin, Allen Birch, Pat Clough, Lindsay Westendorf, Joanne Kessel, Diane Arnold, Tiffany Mumm and Roland O'Leary.