Rotarians Learn About EHS Cafe, Renovation Projects

(LEFT TO RIGHT: UNIT 40 ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT JASON FOX, UNIT 40 SPECIAL PROGRAMS COORDINATOR JENNY SEACHRIST, ROTARY WEEKLY STUDENT GUEST LIBBY FRICKE, EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL KURT ROBERTS, AND UNIT 40 SUPERINTENDENT AND WEEKLY PROGRAM CHAIRMAN MARK DOAN)

Effingham Noon Rotarians Wednesday learned about a student-operated cafe for Effingham High School and about health and life safety work planned at three district buildings, including a major renovation at Effingham Junior High School.

The "Heartbeats Cafe" would give special needs kids an opportunity to learn a marketable skill as they would take orders and serve students who frequent the cafe. As much or more important, the cafe would foster interaction between the special needs students and other kids.

Unit 40 Special Programs Coordinator Jenny Seachrist and EHS Principal Kurt Roberts shared about the program, which they hope will eventually become financial self-sustaining. Another long-term goal would be to expand the program outside of the high school to service businesses.

The cafe will be housed in the former WEHS studio in the high school building. The participating students have already been undergoing training and been given opportunities to practice their skills at certain events.

Rotarians also heard from Unit 40 Assistant Superintendent Jason Fox on the renovation projects planned at the junior high building that could cost up to $13.5 million. Revenue from the sale of health and life safety bonds will finance the work, as well as smaller projects at two other district buildings.

Fox explained that the renovation will be done over the next two to three summers, since there's no place else to house students during the school year. All new heating and air-conditioning, new windows, ceilings and floors, new wiring; basically all new infrastructure will be a part of the project.

Fox said a new junior high building would have cost almost three times more than the renovation.

Fox, along with program chairman and Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan noted that if the one-cent sales tax on the April election ballot passes, the bond payments could be covered by the revenue.

The Rotary weekly student guest was Libby Fricke, daughter of Carl and Stephanie Fricke and a senior at Effingham High School.