Unit 40 Board Authorizes Further Research on Junior High Building

The Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education Monday authorized the Administration to work with FGM Architects on renovations at the junior high building.

The renovations could include infrastructure improvements including electrical, plumbing, heating ventilating and air conditioning, asbestos abatement, window and door replacement, flooring replacement and painting and masonry work. The work could include new or renovated restrooms. The project could also include moving the cafeteria out of the basement and even a different second gym if the current second gym becomes the new cafeteria. The former shop area could be converted into a kitchen.

The goal would be for as much of the work as possible to be classified as health and life safety work. The Board could then levy for the work without a referendum. Superintendent Mark Doan said efforts could be made to lower the levy for a couple of other funds to lessen the extra hit on taxpayers.

As to the cost, it could be as low as $12 million and as high as $16 million to $18 million, depending on how much of the work is approved as health and life safety work. Doan said the scope of work will be dictated by how much is approved as health and life safety work because there aren't other funds available.

The renovation project would be done in stages, perhaps over three summer breaks.

The State would decide what work qualifies as health and life safety work. Even after FGM Architects finalizes the requests to the State, the Board would still get to decide whether to submit the requests.

Doan said the requests will not be ready for submittal to the State until the fall. That means no work could get underway before the summer of 2019. He thinks the work by FGM will cost between $60,000 and $70,000, and said that cost could be recouped as part of the revenue from the sale of the health and life safety bonds.

The vote to move ahead with the work by FGM was 5-1. Board member Carol Ruffner was not present, and Board member Angie Byers voted No. Byers said she knew something needs to be done to correct problems with the building, but wanted to wait until contract talks are completed to deal with other matters. She said she understood that monies available for personnel can't be used for building projects, but wants to keep the focus on resolving contracts with Unit 40 teachers and support staff members.

As a reminder...bargainers for the Board and for the Effingham Classroom Teachers Association will meet after school Tuesday with a mediator in hopes of finalizing a contract.

In other business Monday, the Board expelled a student through the balance of this school year and then placed the student on probation for the first semester of next school year. The Board also approved a field trip request.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 Board hired Ashley Bergbower as a second grade teacher at South Side for next school year and hired Becky Dial as a cashier at Central for next school year. Pam Hiatt was transferred to the head cook position at the Early Learning Center. Resignations were accepted from Erin Schackmann as a teacher at the end of the school year and as junior high track coach as of the end of the school year, from Jedediah Shumaker as a teacher at the end of the school year, and from Amber Will as a paraprofessional. The Board also approved a leave of absence for Mindy McCollum-Boswell under the Family and Medical Leave Act.