Unit 40 Board Discusses Levy, Hears How Music is Helping Young Learners

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Published on October 23 2017 8:59 pm
Last Updated on October 23 2017 8:59 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(UNIT 40 BOARD PRESIDENT JEFF MICHAEL LISTENS AS SOUTH SIDE TEACHER AUSTIN STOUT DISCUSSES HIS 1st AND 2nd GRADE MUSIC INSTRUCTION PROGRAM AND HOW IT HELPS STUDENTS LEARN)

The Effingham Unit 40 school board Monday gave tentative approval to a fiscal year levy. Assistant Superintendent Jason Fox said the levy is being based on a district-wide EAV of close to $417 million. Fox anticipates a levy of 3.2588% would generate the maximum funding available. However, he is recommending a 6.25% increase in the levy to insure the district gets the maximum amount of funding available.

If projections are accurate, Fox said the total Unit 40 tax rate will be 3.5730, lower than the past fiscal year. He said the levy amount will be 5.21% over what was actually extended for taxes last year.

The levy will be finalized at the Board's November meeting.

Fox reported that the district's total fund balance is up 6.23% from last year, at close to $20.7 million. The operating funds balance is up 7.8% over last year, at $16.2 million.

(SOUTH SIDE MUSIC TEACHER AUSTIN STOUT)

The Board Monday heard from Austin Stout, a 1st and 2nd grade music instructor at South Side School. Stout presented a PowerPoint production on how his students learn and what they are learning. He said they are learning much more than music...

Stout said his pupils are learning to sing, but also to move and how to play instruments. He works with the students twice a week in 40-minute sessions.

The Board heard that District enrollment is down 32 students from the same point last school year. They also heard from Doug Ess of Glass and Shuffett, who said there were no deficiencies in the audit of the past fiscal year's books. Ess said 67% of the District's funds are local dollars and 23% are from the State. The balance is from Federal funds.

Fox reported that maintenance projects are moving ahead. He said the work at Central School begun this past summer is past the substantial completion point, and that work to replace the East Side School roof is complete except for some edging and guttering. He said crews are moving to West Side to begin roof replacement work there. 

Fox also reported on the replacement of the tennis courts at the high school complex. He said much groundwater has been found, but a base has been put in place and asphalt work is next. He thinks the cooler temperatures will delay installation of the surface on the courts will be delayed until the spring.

Superintendent Mark Doan reported that district officials will be presenting at the state school board convention in November on teacher leadership and on innovation and creativity.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 board hired Liliana Fulk as a custodian at South Side and Jeff Borries as a custodian at the junior high; transferred Sue Kinkelaar to a three-hour cashier position at the high school; and approved Family and Medical Leave Act leaves for Cathy Hayes, Sharon Chesnut and Derek Logue. Resignations were accepted from Benjamin Sporleder as custodian at the junior high and from Michelle Hinterscher as 8th grade boys track coach. Retirements were accepted from Librarian Jane Wise and from teacher Toni Niebrugge, both as of the end of the 2017-18 school year. Two volunteers were approved; David Dugan as high school assistant swimming coach and Phil Hull as 8th grade boys basketball coach.

Board member Todd Schaefer was not present for Monday's meeting.