Unit 40 Board Buys Laptops, Sells Buses

The Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education Monday purchased 220 laptops for students at Effingham High School and at Central Grade School.

Board members heard that the laptops will be used in the classrooms, and for PARCC testing, the new standardized testing scheduled to begin next school year.

The Board approved the sale of three used school buses and seven camera outfits to the South Central School District. Also approved was an agreement to abate any increase in property taxes if the new City-County Enterprise Zone is approved by the State.

School board members approved the 10-year health life safety survey. The survey discusses improvements planned at East Side, West Side, Early Learning Center, South Side, Central and Effingham Junior High School. Also approved was a three-year agreement with the City of Effingham. The school district will receive $100,000 in TIF dollars in each year of the agreement to cover vocational education costs.

The Board contracted with Herrmann Mowing for another year at no change in cost, and discussed advertisements in the district. The Board is considering whether to allow things such as signage on outfield fences and the like. The issue will be revisited at the January meeting.

Board members also recognized Avery Braunecker for her two championships at the State Swimming and Diving Meet, and also gave recognition to the Effingham Junior High 8th Grade girls basketball team that will play for the state championship Thursday night.

In addition, Effingham High School Principal Jason Fox was recognized for receiving a special award from the Illinois High School Theatre Festival. Fox is this year's recipient of the Administrators' Support Award, and will receive the honor at the Festival at the University of Illinois. He was nominated for the award by EHS Spring Musical Director Shannon Hinkle.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 Board hired Jessica Barthelme as an early childhood Special Education teacher, April Hardiek and Summer Smith as paraprofessionals, Jennifer Kirk as a high school assistant boys and girls track coach, and Sandy Devall as a temporary business department employee. The Board approved Jim and Patsy Conley as volunteers with the high school boys spring tennis team, and accepted a resignation from Dereatha Flowers as a bus driver retroactive to November 25. Also approved were three retirements; Kimberly Willenborg as a speech pathologist at the end of the 2017-18 school year, and Ricky Walkup and Jane Ries as teachers with Walkup leaving after the 2017-18 school year and Ries leaving at the end of the current school year. The Board also approved three leaves, one for Becky Wilson as of May 8, Tina Haarmann as of December 15, and Holly Dust as of May 18.