Unit 40 School Board Discusses Seeking Early Childhood Education Facilities Grant; Accepts Fox's Resignation

Effingham Unit 40 school board members Monday heard from Superintendent Andy Johnson about a $10 million State Early Childhood Construction Grant, and whether the district should apply for the grant.

Johnson said he only learned of the grant recently, and said that applications are due October 10. His first thought was constructing early childhood facilities on property the district owns by Central School. The district also owns property west of the Effingham High School complex. Johnson said only requirement is that the district needs to own land on which the project would be located.

Unit 40 Board President Robin Klosterman said she would rather any project be built inside the city, and suggested the East Side School site.

Johnson said the State is indicating the district should know whether they receive the grant by December, if they decide to apply for the grant.

In other business, the Board accepted the resignation of Jason Fox as assistant superintendent. Fox has taken a position in Decatur.

(JASON FOX)

Johnson said he thanks Fox for his more than 20 years in Unit 40 as a teacher, coach and administrator, and said Fox is still helping him now even while transitioning to his new job. Johnson also reminded that Fox's wife, Jennifer, remains in Unit 40 as a principal and, in Johnson's words, is doing a great job. Johnson said he does anticipate the district hiring someone to succeed Fox.

The Board was also briefed about the start of strategic planning and goal setting. Johnson said the sessions will begin tonight (Tuesday) at 6pm. He said teachers, students and community members have been identified who will assist with the process. Other sessions are scheduled for October 11, November 1 and November 15.

Board members approved the district's crisis plan for the fiscal year, as well as a tentative budget for the new fiscal year. It was agreed to apply for a $50,000 maintenance grant. If the money is received, it would help pay for air-conditioning work at South Side School. The Board also approved memoranda of agreement and understanding with the Effingham Classroom Teachers Association, one for adding an assistant junior high cross country coach due to a large turnout for the squad and the other with Mary Walters who is on leave but will get a licensed position when she returns.

The Board approved bids for a new maintenance truck and two new vans; but tabled a price quote to repair the parking lot near the baseball field and football field since damage was done during installation of the turf field at Klosterman Field and responsibility for the damage is still being determined. Also approved was an increase to $200/day for the pay of any and all retired teachers of Effingham Unit 40 who work as substitute teachers in the district as of October; improvements of up to $25,000 to the high school drama facilities; purchase of a natural gas fryer for the high school kitchen; repair work on a grease trap; and landscaping work at the Unit 40 offices and at East Side School.

The Board also approved enhancements to the Effingham/Effingham County Enterprise Zone.

In personnel matters, the Unit 40 Board hired Shannon Koester as food service personnel, Linda Hood as a custodian, Victoria Shupe and Savannah Mooschekian as paraprofessionals, Caleb Williams and Karter Jones as custodians, Marichu Lavengood as a cafeteria monitor at Central, Stephanie Ochs as Board of Education and nurse secretary, Sarah Stock as nurse paraprofessional, Judy Thoele as food service personnel, Makayla Poe and Ian Kemper as paraprofessionals, and James McElroy as a four-hour bus driver. Transfers were approved for custodians John Westendorf and Brycelyn Simmons. Leaves were approved for Joshua Morton and Lisa Abbott. Resignations were accepted from Gretta Beckman as a cafeteria monitor at the Early Learning Center, Heather Britton as food service personnel at the junior high school, and from Jeff Tonn as assistant varsity softball coach.