Unit 40 Board Votes to Offer Winter Sports if IHSA Allows It

Effingham Unit 40 school board members Monday voted to offer winter sports if the Illinois High School Association gives it the okay.

The Board voted 5-1 to offer boys and girls basketball, competitive cheerleading, swimming, and Scholar Bowl. Robin Klosterman voted No, saying she loves sports, but can't go against the guidelines of the Illinois Department of Public Health. Board President Angie Byers did not participate in the meeting. Brad Waldhoff participated remotely.

The vote comes in the shadow of a meeting Thursday of the IHSA Board to which they have invited representatives of the Governor's office and the State Board of Education in hopes of coming up with a plan that would allow play. Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan said indications are that most Apollo Conference schools are not going to play.

(EHS SENIOR ATHLETE NATHAN THOMPSON WAS AMONG THOSE WHO SPOKE AT MONDAY'S MEETING)

Those who spoke Monday night said it has been tough on athletes to watch students in other states play with no apparent harm. 

Unit 40 Activity Director David Woltman said there are also considerations as far as frosh/soph games and whether those will be possible due to a lack of numbers in some districts.

Two student athletes, senior Nathan Thompson and freshman Tyler Nohren, and parents Chad Thompson, Angie Wolfe and sportsbacker Chris Kreke all spoke to the issue and asked the Board to let the games be played.

Also Monday, EHS Spring Musical Director Shannon Hinkle asked for the okay to go ahead with plans for a production this school year, and board members were favorable.

Board members heard from Curriculum Director Chelle Beck on the district's annual report card from the State, approved the past fiscal year's audit, and okayed the tax levy for the coming fiscal year.

The Board purchased operational efficiency software to track district-owned items, purchased a dishwasher for the high school, agreed to replace the roof on the high school band trailer, and approved iPad and laptop manuals for students.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 board hired Theo Rathe as a custodian; and approved leaves of absence for Jason Koester, Jalana Robison and Amy Williams. The Williams leave is an extension of an existing leave.