Unit 40 Board Discusses Coming School Year

The Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education Monday discussed the coming school year and uncertainties over whether students will be in the classrooms to receive instruction.

Superintendent Mark Doan told the Board he expects more information from Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education by the end of the week that might answer some questions. In the meantime, the Board heard about plans to improve remote learning. 

Curriculum Director Chelle Beck said the remote learning scenario will include assignments and assessments, and that grades will be recorded. Beck said teachers, students and the public agree that remote learning is not ideal, but said all understand that's how it might have to be.

Beck indicated that remote learning from the start of the school year might be tougher since there will be no opportunity for students and teachers to develop an in-classroom rapport, but thinks that remote learning from the start of the year, with plans in place to deliver instruction that way, could be a more orderly rollout since it would be the plan from the start. 

Board President Angie Byers asked about concerns over connectivity, in other words, decent reception so residents in remote parts of the district can receive the remote instruction well. 

Assistant Superintendent Jason Fox said a fiber optic vendor working in the southern part of the district can't guarantee better than a 75% success rate. Fox said acquiring hot spots could enhance reception, and that appears to be the option being pursued. 

Still another option considered is central locations in Watson, Mason and Edgewood where learners could gather to get good reception and complete their lessons. 

In the meantime, the Board voted to spend $250,000 to acquire 410 laptops and carts to keep up with technology upgrades.

The Board Monday also voted to acquire two HVAC units for the cafeteria at the Early Learning Center, agreed to acquire matting on top of the existing floor in the weight room at the high school, purchased a freezer/refrigerator for the Early Learning Center, and saw a slide show updating them on the renovation of the junior high building.

Doan had disappointing news regarding plans to complete the 2019-2020 school year. He indicated that plans for a prom are now doubtful, saying it "probably will not occur" due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. As to graduation, set for Sunday, July 19, Doan said they're still hopeful for that event to take place, but acknowledged it might be a "virtual" ceremony or an outdoor event.

The Board awarded property/casualty insurance coverage for $227,000, a 10% increase over last year; awarded health insurance at no increase in premiums; and awarded dairy and bakery bids. 

Board members also acquired new Grades 6-8 Science textbooks and Biology textbooks.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 board hired Thomas O'Brien as a driver's education behind the wheel instructor and named him high school boys assistant track coach and fresh-soph basketball coach, hired Britt Wendling to work in Student Services at the junior high school, hired Megan Lohman, Brittney Reganhardt and Deonte King as paraprofessionals, hired Lauren Pals, Rene Green and Lindsay Westendorf as LBSI for the extended school year, hired Jenny Castillo and Lauren Hoekstra as speech language pathologists, and hired Julie Hodges and Heather Batson as paraprofessionals for the extended school year. The Board approved transfers of Julie Flack to Technology Director, Todd Thoele to Director of Buildings and Grounds, Peggy Manley to head cook at South Side, and Rhonda Parmenter as six-hour cook at South Side. The Board accepted the retirement of Joe Freimuth as a bus driver, and also accepted resignations from Jill Lobb as cafeteria monitor at Central Grade School, Justin Heiden as boys sophomore basketball coach, and Kristen Probst as junior high cheerleading coach.

Board member Brad Waldhoff was not present for Monday's meeting.