Unit 40 Board Hires Thompson, Rohr as New ADs

(MACK THOMPSON)

The Effingham Unit 40 school board Monday hired their new high school and junior high school athletic directors.

Longtime Robinson High School boys basketball coach Mack Thompson was hired as the high school AD, while Brownstown administrator and coach Vince Rohr was hired as junior high AD. Both of the hirings are effective July 1, 2024. 

David Woltman is retiring as Unit 40 Activities Director following this school year.

Thompson is in his 18th season at Robinson. He is a Marshall High School graduate. 

Rohr is an Effingham High School graduate and he and his family live in Effingham.

(VINCE ROHR)

Unit 40 Superintendent Andy Johnson said he has a vision to "start more sports, and more opportunities for students." Johnson also plans an emphasis on sportsmanship.

We will have more on the hirings in the days to come. 

The Unit 40 Board also voted to sell 25 acres of land west of the Effingham High School sports complex to the City of Effingham. The land is to serve as the site of the Effingham Showcase Center, the indoor/outdoor sports complex envisioned by local resident Ryan Engel. The sale price is $70,000 an acre, or $1.75 million for the entire parcel. The transaction is contingent on Engel raising substantial financial pledges. The goal is to raise $18 million by December 31, 2024.

Board members heard from Curriculum Director Michelle Beck on the school district's report card from the state. The Board also agreed to offer four more computer science courses in the coming school year. It was also decided to schedule the 2024 EHS graduation ceremony for 2pm on Sunday, May 19. A memorandum of understanding was approved with district teachers and support staff to take April 8, 2024 due to the solar eclipse that day and the expected attention it wil bring to this area, which is supposed to be right in the crosshairs of the event.

The Board passed the tax levy of 3.51/$100 EAV, based on an anticipated 12% increase in the district's EAV. The Board honored the junior high cross country teams and the high school soccer team for their achievements this school year.

Board members approved a memorandum of understanding regarding a fleet technician position to replace the mechanic and assistant mechanic positions; approved a memorandum of understanding on providing outdoor gear for those who work outdoors for the district; purchased a mini-excavator and skid steer for $105,000 to replace a damaged backhoe. It was also voted to establish a facilitating team to extend visioning for the school district; to approve a hard to fill position for a high school computer science job, and to spend $81,000 on a financial software program for the district.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 board hired Cindy Curry as a four-hour bus driver and Jessica Budde as a paraprofessional at South Side School.

These transfers were approved: Liz Budde to a four-hour food service position at Central, Lori West as a 7.5 hour food service position at Central, Janice Dougherty to a six hour food service position at Central, and Jeremy Rinkel as a high school computer science teacher for the coming school year.

Resignations were accepted from Angela Ingram, Nicole Whetstone and Dave Parker as paraprofessionals, and a leave was approved for Brooke Hansen.