Volpi Resigns from Unit 40 School Board

Scott Volpi has resigned as a member of the Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education.

A letter read at Monday night's Board meeting indicated that Volpi has moved outside the school district. Volpi is an Effingham city police officer with more than 20 years of service.

The Board will set up a process to receive letters of interest from those interested in succeeding Volpi. The Board has 60 days to fill the vacancy. Board President Jill Wendling noted that the new board member cannot live in Summit Township, since three Board members already live in that township.

Also Monday, the Board purchased a data software program. Curriculum Director Michelle Beck said a 3-1/2 year contract will cost $106,584 and will allow the District to centralize data. The Board also approved the job descriptions for incoming high school athletic director Mack Thompson and incoming junior high athletic director Vince Rohr. Contracts for the two were also approved effective July 1, 2024.

Board members approved the purchase of laptops, cases and smart interactive panels for $492,000, hired Alexandra Estes as a middle school General Science teacher for next year under a hard to fill agreement between the Board and the Effingham Classroom Teachers Association, tabled action on a fleet technician position untiil the January meeting but approved a 12-month Drector of Security job description, and approved another memorandum of understanding with the ECTA on a "B" team girls junior high volleyball coach for a stipend of $1,200 with the Sportsbackers contributing $5,000 toward the project, similar to what was done to start a 5th and 6th grade basketball program.

The Board approved a resolution to utilize Dieterich Bank as a depository for District funds, moving $7 million from Midland States Bank. The funds will be placed in a six-month certificate of deposit.

Board members approved the audit from the past fiscal year. The District still is listed as being in financial recognition, but the district's rating was 3.55 rather than 3.9 as has been the case the previous three years. There was $1.4 million more in outgo than in income. Capital spending and spending down some funds resulted in the reduction in funds.

Per pupil spending in the district was $13,913.  

In other personnel matters, the Unit 40 Board hired AshleyDarden as a two-hour cashier at the high school, Nicole Hamilton as a paraprofessional at the high school, Katie Lacy as a cafeteria monitor at the Early Learning Center, Baron Guenther as a custodian at the high school and the Board offices, Trista McCord as a paraprofessional at Central, Kevin Mante as Director of Safety and Security for the district, Kyndall Andrews as a four-hour cook at South Side, Taryn Johnson as a second grade teacher at Central for next school year, Morgan Briggerman as an elementary teacher at Central, Taylor Hall as a health care supervisor, and Tammy Parks as a paraprofessional at South Side. 

Transfers were approved Marisa Ruffner as a third grade teacher at Central for the coming school year, and Mackenzie Koester as a part-time nurse paraprofessional.

Resignations were accepted from Emily Devall, Courtney Ping and Makayla Poe as paraprofessionals, Stacey Weeden as a Little Hearts teacher assistant, and Sharon Goldman as a four-hour cook.

Leaves were approved from Elizabeth Stevenson, Violet Marshall, Austin Stout, Donna Gadd, Julie Flack, Darlene Coffin and Heather Batson.

Dianne Donaldson was terminated as a cafeteria monitor.