Unit 40 School Board Sets 2020 End of Year Dates

The Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education has set Sunday, May 31 as the date for Effingham High School graduation. The ceremony will begin at 2pm.

The Board also approved June 1-2 as the dates for Finals, June 3 as the final day for students, and a Teacher's Institute on June 4 to conclude the school year.

The Board did not act on the 2020-2021 calendar.

Board members voted to purchase 105 new band uniforms. The purchase will include 15 more uniform jackets and 15 more hip drapes to accommodate kids of different sizes. The total cost is $64,468.20, although there could be a discount for an upfront purchase.

The Board recognized EHS students named Illinois State Scholars, those students involved in WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering) competition, and Coaches Jeff Schafer and Rod Wiethop for their upcoming induction into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in May. 

Board members also were updated by the Effingham Sportsbackers on work done by the organization to fund many athletic endeavors, including work on the Effingham/Teutopolis Christmas Classic, jersey purchases, camp fees, athletic banquets, and related activities. It was decided that the Sportsbackers should present updates to the Board on a periodic basis.

There was more discussion on summertime activities at the junior high building. The plan is to complete the work required in the original portion of the building including the gymnasium that will involve locker room and restroom renovation, flooring in the basement and work on a restroom in that area, and HVAC improvements in those areas. The work on the newer portion of the building will be finished in the following summer. The breezeway in the back of the building will be closed this summer, as it will not be needed with the planned construction of a new roadway farther east on the property behind the building.

The Board approved changes in how the high school cheer program operates. The coaches will now be involved in squad selection, and up to 26 students could now be chosen for the squad, with provision made for a JV cheer squad. Also approved was a district paper purchase for $19,656, hiring Glass and Shuffett to do audit work, and an intergovernmental agreement with the Regional Office of Education for alternative schools.

Enrollment was reported as down 62 students from one year earlier, which is improved from down 75 students last month.

The Board voted to make repairs to the high school track. Repairs to the inside lane will cost $12,825 while respraying and repainting the track will cost $95,966. It was also decided to purchase textbooks and digital access for a high school Transition Math course for $6,297. It was also decided to specify what PE course high schoolers will be taking, including regular PE, weight training or fitness PE.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 Board hired Shayna Phillips as an English/Language Arts teacher at the junior high for next school year, David Lorton as a custodian at the high school, Morgan Wilson as a fourth grade teacher at Central for next school year, Rebecca Eskew as guidance counselor at the junior high for next school year, and Megan McDonald as Grades 2-5 Technology and Technology Integration teacher as Central School for next school year. A transfer was approved of Tina Shipman as a fifth grade teacher at Central School for the coming school year. A leave was approved for Lisa Miller. Resignations were accepted from Laurie Bohnhoff as high school volleyball coach, Ed Donovan as a maintenance worker, and Marian Fulk as a special education teacher. The Board also approved Logan Borries, Taylor Moser, Evan Evans, Hunter Petersen, Morgan Pierson and Courtney Probst for their practicums, and Ethan Osborne as a student teacher.