Unit 40 Board Hires Superintendent Search Firm

The Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education Monday hired Educational Leadership Solutions to assist in the district's search for its next superintendent.

The Board interviewed representatives of Educational Leadership Solutions and the Illinois Association of School Boards before deciding on EdLS. While the firm is new, it is headed by Dr. Richard Voltz, who has 48 years' experience in education. The fee will be a maximum of $13,550. 

The goal is to have a superintendent in place by the time current superintendent Mark Doan retires at the end of the coming school year.

The Board also finalized committee assignments for the coming year. 

The assignments, by committee:

TECHNOLOGY--Brad Waldhoff and Robin Klosterman

H-R/INSURANCE/SAFETY--Chad Thompson and Jane Willenborg

FACILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION--Desha Wear and Jane Willenborg, with Jill Wendling as an alternate

CURRICULUM--Robin Klosterman and Jill Wendling

The Board also acted on several personnel matters. 

Those hired--Naomi Ochs as a Math teacher at the high school; Teresa Riley as a custodian at Central School; Kelsey Kiefer as cafeteria monitor at the Early Learning Center; Sharon Goldman as a three-hour cook at South Side School; and Alyssa Meier as an extended school year nurse paraprofessional. 

Lori West was transferred to a seven-hour cook position as Central School, and Tracie Riley was appointed Musical Director at the high school, succeeding the retired Shannon Hinkle

Resignations were accepted from Mike McDonald as assistant football coach, Lisa Orsborn as cashier at the high school, Kristine Whitley as cafeteria monitor at South Side, April Mayerhofer as a teacher at South Side, Greg Devall as a custodian at the high school, Julie Flack as junior high Mustang Outreach sponsor, Colleen Westendorf as freshman volleyball coach, Lauren Lotz as teacher at South Side, and Summer Smith as a paraprofessional.