Unit 40 Board Votes to Put Sales Tax Question on November Ballot

Effingham Unit 40 school board members Monday voted unanimously to place the one-cent sales tax question on the November election ballot.

If at least one more school board in the county votes to pur the question on the ballot, it will go on ballots throughout Effingham County. The other four public school districts in Effingham County are expected to consider the question either this week or in April. If the question appears on the ballot, a simple majority of voters voting Yes countywide would pass the sales tax question throughout the county.

The sales tax revenue could be used for school facility purposes, school resource officers, and mental health professionals. Previously, the sales tax revenue could only pay for facilities, but state law has changed on the matter. Board member Andrew Altman asked that if the sales tax question passes, that the Board study whether changes could be made to lower property taxes in the district.

Also Monday, the Board reviewed a tentative calendar for the coming school year, with final action expected in April. Under the proposal, staff days on August 12 and 13 would be followed by the first day for students on August 14. The Board also heard that registration for the coming school year will take place from April 19-30. Superintendent Andy Johnson said the earlier signup is because some students attending Unit 40 who came from other nations might return home once the current school year ends, leading to difficulties in getting everyone enrolled before the new school year begins. Johnson said there are now 130 students from other nations attending Unit 40 schools.

After some discussion, the Board purchased a translation multi-function copy machine to address the number of students arriving in the district. Johnson said seven different languages are being spoken in the district. Also approved were changes in the discipline code and student handbooks for the coming school year.

The Board approved updates in the computer science labs at the high school to accommodate four new classes to be offered at EHS at a cost not to exceed $50,000, and the lease/purchase of nine school buses for $155,000 each with delivery not expected for more than a year. 

Board members recognized second graders Samson Slifer and Kendall Miller who shared about activities at South Side School. 

(SAMSON SLIFER AND KENDALL MILLER)

Also recognized were members of the Effingham High School Winter Guard and the Effingham High School Lady Hearts basketball team. The Winter Guard finished third in the state in the third year since returning to competition, with Chloe Blackwell and Ellie Macklin perfoming at State as individuals. The Lady Hearts had the second-most wins for an EHS girls team ever. It was also the program's best year at all levels ever.

(MEMBERS OF THE EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL WINTER GUARD)

(THE 2023-2024 EFFINGHAM LADY HEARTS BASKETBALL TEAM)

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 board hired Whitney Duncan as a PE teacher at Central for the coming school year, Halle Huffman as a 4th grade teacher for the coming school year, Regina Krieg as a four-hour cook at South Side, Jason Root as a school security officer, Sheryl Brummer as a computer/technology teacher at the junior high school for the coming school year, Glynnis Leftwich as a paraprofessional at Central, Brittany Goldstein as an ESL teacher at South Side for the coming school year, Anissa Lyons as a paraprofessional at South Side, Jessica James as a LBS1 teacher for the coming school year, Kevin Hiatt, Julie Flack, Jennifer Kesl, Marielle Abalos and Michael Lambton as high school summer school teachers, and Courtney Mathews as a high school summer school ESL parapro.

The Board appointed Don Kimura as boys 7th grade track coach, okayed Ryan Engel as a volunteer high school fresh/soph softball coach, and transferred Morgan Briggerman to a second grade teacher at Central for the coming school year.

Resignations were accepted from Taryn Johnson as a second grade teacher, Olivia Wernecke as a 4th grade teacher as of the end of the school year, Shelby Wilkinson as a parapro at South Side, Melissa Schmohe and Makenna Wright as PFA parapros at Little Hearts Early Childhood Center, and Glynnis Leftwich as a cafeteria monitor at South Side.

Leaves were approved for Lindsey Storm, Mackenzie Walker, Allen Birch and Heather Batson, whose leave was extended.