Unit 40 Board Awards Bids for Junior High Renovation Work

The Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education Monday voted to award the bids for the renovation of Effingham Junior High School.

The package involves a stem-to-stern redo of the building, the original portion of which was built in 1939 and the newer portion in the early 1960s. The work will include new infrastructure, new windows, new floors, new doors; a total upgrade. 

The Board Monday also reorganized for the next term and seated newly-elected members Robin Klosterman, Brad Waldhoff, Jill Wendling and Jane Willenborg. Willenborg is the only incumbent who sought re-election.

The Board also chose officers for the coming term. Angie Byers was elected Board president, Jane Willenborg was chosen vice-president, and Kathleen Smith was chosen Board secretary. Byers, Smith and Patty Russell are in mid-term on the Board.

Board members also acted on personnel matters. 

Several people were approved for extended school year work, including Kara Pickowitz as a LBS 1, Jennifer Castillo as a speech language pathologist, Angie Probst, Julie Hodges and Josaphine Westendorf as paraprofessionals, Sara Schnepper as a nurse paraprofessional, Kim Knierin as a bus driver, and Lana Adams as a bus aide. The Board also appointed Kristen Probst as junior high cheerleading coach and John Stout as high school varsity football coordinator.

Retirements were accepted from teachers Shannon Hinkle as of the end of the 20-21 year, Carol Hoelscher and Bernice Schabbing at the end of the 21-22 year, and Annett Schackmann at the end of the 22-23 years, as well as the retirement of Central School Principal Amy Niebrugge at the end of the 21-22 year.

The Board also approved a leave of absence for Diane Tieffel.