Unit 40 Board Fills Two Administrative Posts

Effingham Unit 40 school board members Monday filled two administrative positions.

The Board named Charlie Schwerman as principal of Effingham Junior High School, and Tony Pullen as Assistant Effingham High School Principal.

Schwerman will succeed Cody Lewis, who is being reassigned to a classroom teaching position, while Pullen will replace David Gillean, who resigned his post as of the end of the school year.

(CHARLIE SCHWERMAN)

Schwerman is in his third year as the assistant junior high school principal. He is a St. Anthony High School graduate and SIU-Carbondale graduate who taught at EHS before being named assistant junior high principal.

Pullen is an EHS graduate who has been working in administration at the Shelbyville School District including as assistant principal and athletic director for the past 10 years.

(TONY PULLEN)

Still to be determined is an assistant principal at the junior high school.

Board members heard about possible plans for EHS graduation and for prom.

EHS Principal Kurt Roberts said nothing is finalized. Roberts suggested an option could be a ceremony on a stage in front of the high school gym and individuals could drive up to witness when their graduate is recognized.

Other things being considered are a video production, as well as getting graduates to submit photos of themselves in their gowns. The graduation is not likely to occur until near the end of July.

As for prom, there is consideration to have a community group sponsor the event sometime this summer. Roberts' major concern is the expense typically involved with prom and the financial hit that might occur if plans are made for a certain date for the event, and then things change.

The Board also discussed a letter from a parent about going with a pass or incomplete grade for fourth quarter and the second semester, and disregarding their third quarter performance. The parent felt the third quarter accomplishments should be recognized. After much discussion, it was decided to proceed with the plan in place after the considerable adaptation already undertaken by the District and its staff. 

The State recommended a pass/incomplete option for the second semester, but Roberts indicated that some other schools in the Apollo Conference and in the area are doing other things.

The Board approved a fee schedule for 2020-2021 unchanged from the current year other than the annual lunch fee increase, and approved a calendar for the coming year with the school year beginning in August, but remaining subject to change.