Unit 40 Board Hears Collaboration is Key Between Teachers as Well as Students

Effingham Unit 40 school board members Monday heard that collaboration is key between teachers as well as students.

The district's curriculum director Michelle Beck and educator Joe Fatheree updated board members on progress made by 41 district teachers who are collaborating on teaching methods and fostering that collaborative spirit among their students.

Beck said the plan is to take the collaborative effort district-wide among the teaching staff next school year, meaning more than four times as many teachers as are involved this year. The teachers involved this year, though, can help in creating a blueprint to involve the entire teaching staff.

Fatheree said the goal is still to teach content, but to teach it in a collaborative way. He gives the example that a student still needs to learn that 2+2=4, but "what do they do with 4?" It's an effort to see what they are learning is useful.

One example Fatheree used is the work some students are doing with the senior leadership team of Minecraft to make it the best possible online game; Effingham students working with adults to perfect their product.

Beck said they are working to "foster a collaborative culture". She said teachers from various buildings and different grade levels are interacting. Five teachers have written and submitted five STEM grants (STEM standing for Science, Technology, English and Mathematics). Four teachers worked to create two high school courses. Four teachers are working to create space in the class day to allow for innovation.

Also on hand was fifth grade teacher Becky Peno, a 27-year Unit 40 educator, who talked about innovations in her classroom this year. Peno said her students have been making I-movies, catapults and rafts. She said it's been a great experience, although she said the students are still learning the skills needed to resolve disagreements between them. Peno said they need those skills, for life, and are now learning them.

Fatheree said the question is "what can we do to make students the most innovative leaders on the planet?" Helping the teachers know better how to collaborate will help them help their students see those same achievements.

Also Monday, the Board discussed adding junior high cross country to the list of sports offered by the district. High school cross country coach Jennifer Kirk said adding the junior high program would help the high school program. High school cheer coach Kelsey Erickson said going out for cross country helped push her toward new goals. It was noted that most schools in the area offer junior high cross country, and it was mentioned that the Effingham Sportsbackers have pledged some help with the costs of the program. Board members wanted information on students' level of interest before voting on whether to add the program.

There was also discussion of ending study hall at the high school next school year. High school principal Jason Fox said a fulltime Study Hall monitor has already been cut and said the number of sections of Study Hall has fluctuated. Some courses have already been curtailed due to budget cuts and Fox doesn't want to see more of that happen. He said there were five sections of Study Hall during the first semester, but there are just three in the second semester. As to whether he thinks Study Hall should end, Fox said, "I can't even give you a recommendation, not until registration (for next year) is finalized", saying that would be the end of March or the first of April.

Board member Chris Koester said he favored retaining Study Hall, while Board President Jeff Michael said he'd rather see it end than have to eliminate a primary grade teacher and see class sizes increase.

Assistant Superintendent Rem Woodruff reported that the balance of funds in the district is up 4.6% from last year and that operating funds are up 3.81% from a year ago. Superintendent Mark Doan reminded, though, that the State has not provided any categorical fund dollars this year, almost $718,000 worth.

Doan reported enrollment is down 42 students from this time last school year. Woodruff reported that the sale of two extra buses and 15 bus cameras generated just over $78,000 in revenue. The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Regional Office of Education for alternative schools like Aspire and Tri-Star for next year. 

End of year dates were set. The last day for students will be May 17, a teacher's institute will take place on May 18, and EHS graduation will be at 2pm on Sunday, May 14. Board member Jane Willenborg voted No on Graduation on the 14th since it's also Mother's Day. 

The Board approve addiing a Contemporary History course at the high school for next year, and extended the contract of Superintendent Mark Doan through June 30, 2022. Board member Steve Bone voted against the extension, as he did last year's extension, when he said his No vote was due to the uncertainties of education finances and that "no one gets a five-year contract anymore".

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 board hired Carla Lynn Yocum as a custodian at South Side, Erin Schackmann as girls 7th grade track coach, Mitch Martin as boys 8th grade track coach, and Jamie Martin as boys 7th grade track coach. Weston Peno was approved as a volunteer junior high boys track coach, and Robert Jones was released as a cafeteria monitor at Central. Two transfers were approved; Sue Ahten as a six-hour cook at EHS, and Charlie Huber to join Joe Fatheree as multi-media and innovation co-teachers for next year. Huber has been an Art instructor at EHS for several years.

Jamie Jennings' retirement was accepted as a music instructor at the end of the 2019-20 school year, and resignations were accepted from Leslie Hille as student services secretary as of February 10, from Kelsey Erickson as high school cheer sponsor, and from Chorus teacher Ethan Hayward as of the end of the school year as he has an opportunity to further his own education.

Leaves were approved for Jessica Roadarmel, Valerie Traub, Rick Schmidt, Susan Greene-Young, and Toni Chisler.