Unit 40 Board Looks to Renovate Junior High Building

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Published on July 24 2017 9:12 pm
Last Updated on July 25 2017 6:53 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Effingham Unit 40 school board members Monday decided to explore renovating the existing junior high school building, rather than pursuing a new building.

The bottom line is the cost; renovating the current building is estimated at around $14 million; a new building would be at least twice that amount.

While the current building is structurally sound for the most part, making it 21st Century equipped is another matter. Much of the needed work includes asbestos abatement, a heating and air conditioning system, and new electrical and piping systems. Projects like that could be funded with health and life safety funds, although the State would have to give that approach its blessing.

The rest of the work would have to be funded through other avenues. The proposed countywide sales tax that has already been defeated twice might have been an option, but board members said it's not an option to consider now in light of the State recently enacting a significant income tax hike.

In the meantime, firm figures on what the project would cost need to be obtained. Superintendent Mark Doan and Assistant Superintendent Jason Fox will be contacting the District's architect and engineers to nail down prices.

While the junior high project is the most costly decision, it's not the only one. Fox reported that roof work is needed and soon on three other buildings. He said East Side must be addressed and soon. He said the roof is "a disaster".  His first cost estimate is $150,000, not including the area over the school's gym. Fox said South Side is next most needy, with work expected to cost between $175,000 and $300,000. More investigating is needed to know exactly what needs done before the price can be finalized. West Side is the third building in line, but Fox said they might get another year or two out of that roof.

Another project that apparently won't wait is the tennis courts at Effingham High School. The water table beneath is damaging the courts. Fox said they could "band aid" the situation for about $30,000 every two or three years, or could spend about $230,000 to do a complete repair. In the meantime, the District might have to look at using Park District courts this year for girls tennis while the repairs are being made.

The Board heard that the District is losing $399,000 in property tax revenue by approving the Effingham City/County Enterprise Zone, and another $1.9 million to the TIF Districts in the city. Doan said he appreciates the incentives afforded by TIF districts and Enterprise Zone and appreciates the good working relationship Unit 40 has with the City, but likes to mention that the school district is contributing toward the economic development effort. Doan also pointed out the District's tax rate of 3.60039 is one of the lowest in the area. He also noted that the State owes Unit 40 $712,000 as of last Thursday.

The Board heard from South Side Principal Cheri Marten on a change in grading for second graders in the coming year. Marten said the change will be similar to what was done at the first grade level last year. The second graders will still be given letter grades this year, but parents will also be given a modified skills list to help them know where they could best help their children. Next year, second graders will receive just the modified skills list. 

Also Monday, the Unit 40 board approved a health insurance renewal at a 10.49% increase due what Doan termed "a high claims history this year", set Fox's salary as assistant superintendent at $120,000, and heard from board member Patty Russell about breaking up the consent agenda that is on the Board meeting agenda rather than voting on a variety of items in one vote and about placing an item on the agenda for Board member comments. Board members Jane Willenborg and Angie Byers asked to change their Yes vote on the consent agenda to No when they understood the personnel moves would be part of the consent agenda.

The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Effingham County public schools for shared classes. Russell wondered whose rules the students would operate under when attending a class in another district. Fox said they would be governed by the rules in the district where the students are attending.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 Board employed Elizabeth Schumacher as a Math teacher at the high school, Hannah Michael as a nurse paraprofessional at South Side, Jim McElroy as a two-hour bus driver, and Laura Vekemans as a paraprofessional.

Transfers were approved of Christin Hartke to a Special Education post at the junior high and Michelle Jansen Hinterscher as a Math teacher at the junior high.

Appointments were finalized of Jordan Adams as Co-Student Council sponsor at the junior high, Donna Walls as drama sponsor at the junior high, Lindsay Westendorf as fall play director at the high school, Brittany Mette as high school basketball head cheer coach, Tyler Semple as boys freshman basketball coach, and Elizabeth Braunecker as girls and boys swimming coach as a volunteer.

Leaves were approved for Roland O'Leary whose existing leave was extended and for Jeff Baker.

Resignations were accepted from Robin Imburgia as a nurse paraprofessional, Stacey Hollinshead as paraprofessional, Sherri Hults as teacher, and Mary Um who had been hired earlier this summer as Chorus teacher.

A retirement was approved for Patria Clough, a cook at South Side.