Unit 40 Board Reaches Compromise on EHS Band Nickname

An issue that has been around since the start of the school year was resolved at Monday night's meeting of the Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education.

The Board voted 5-2 to accept a compromise reached by the administration and band supporters as to the name of the Effingham High School marching band.  The band has been known as the Marching Hearts, but Band Director Brad Wallace and band boosters were desirous of re-naming the band "The Red Regiment".

After some negotiating, the parties settled on The Effingham Hearts Red Regiment and that name was approved by the Board on a 5-2 vote.  Board members Carol Ruffner and Galen Altman voted against the name change.

Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan said the Band Boosters have already come up with a logo to reflect the new name.

The Board agreed to seek bids on several maintenance projects that could be undertaken if favorable prices are obtained.  Doan said the projects would include tuckpointing and sealing around the gym at the high school building, replacing a gas shutoff in a science lab at the high school, replacing the all-weather surface on the high school track, and resanding the floors in both gyms at the high school.  The work on the floors would involve sanding off the existing surfaces, replacing the graphics, and re-sealing the floors.

The Board awarded a bid for a new maintenance truck to Goeckner Brothers of Effingham; approved a five-year lease agreement for the district's postage meter; raised milk prices by a nickel per half-pint carton; and delayed action on a new rental agreement until terms are finalized on the billboards along the interstate that stand on Unit 40 property.

The Board also approved a separation agreement with teacher Brenda Whitchurch, effective immediately.

Board members heard a presentation from Effingham Junior High School teachers Becky Wilson and Mindy Pals and six of their students on how I-Pads are being used in the Math classrooms.