Unit 40 School Board Ratifies Teacher Contract

Print

Published on August 20 2018 9:37 pm
Last Updated on August 21 2018 5:46 am
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education Monday ratified a four-year contract agreement with the Effingham Classroom Teachers Association.

As announced earlier, the agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2017 and will run through June 30, 2021. 

Here are some details, as released by Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan:

--there will be a $30 increase per month ($360 per year) in the District's portion of health insurance, so the District will pay $632, $639 or $822/month, depending on tier of insurance chosen, towards a member's health insurance premium

--the salary matrix (years 1-25) was adjusted to even out step increases as well as educational increases

--members will receive back pay for the 2017-18 school year, as well as increases in each of the subsequent years of the contract. The average increase over the length of the contract is a 3.5% increase per year

ECTA President Shannon Hall-Nannini and ECTA Treasurer Sandy Lohman agreed that evening out the step increases was a key as it should help in bargaining in years to come, and that the increases in insurance contributions was a significant issue. The two ECTA officers were on hand for the vote by the school board.

The Board also Monday took another step toward a possible renovation of the junior high school building.

Kevin Meyer of FGM Architects again went through the infrastructure changes that would be pursued through health and life safety funds, if the State okays the funds. Even if the funds are approved, though, the Board will have the final say on when to pursue the projects.

Meyer said the scope of work is such that a decision will have to be made on whether the work will be completed in one year or in two years. He said that once all interior work is done, if any funds remain, exterior work could be discussed. He said, basically, repairs can be paid for with health and life safety dollars; new work can't be financed with those funds.

The Board acted on several personnel items. Those hired included:

Erin McDevitt as a psychologist; Christi Elliott as a junior high Computer teacher; Tina Verdeyen as a junior high English teacher; Mildred Cowger as a Special Education teacher at Central; Kelsey Keller and Marian Fulk as Special Education teachers at the junior high; Amanda White as a junior high Art teacher; Jackie Mette as a junior high Health and PE teacher; Gabrielle Henderson as a high school Science teacher; Stephanie Shaffer as a Paraprofessional; Todd Stewart as a two-hour bus driver; Elaina LaPage as a cafeteria monitor at South Side; and Steven Shillings as a custodian at the junior high.

Jamie Irwin was transferred to a four-hour bus driver position; Amy Hines was appointed as high school yearbook sponsor; leaves were approved for Lauren Pals and Shanna Lewis; and resignations were accepted from Nicole Doehring as a Special Education teacher, Morgan Healy as a Science teacher, Bill Overbeck as a bus driver, Tammy Yingst as a three-hour cook, and Sara Rauch as a paraprofessional.

The Board discussed the parameters to be employed for students involved in non-team sports, especially concerning a PE waiver when they are practicing, whether they will letter, recognition at an athletic banquet, and a spot in the yearbook. There was some general agreement on a couple of items, but nothing was finalized.

Doan reported that there are three vacancies on the Unit 40 Foundation Board, and that teacher grant requests before the Foundation board will be heard October 8. He also shared that a national television crew has been to Effingham to record a segment on the district's hydroponic garden project, with Doan saying the episodes will air on Food Network or DIY on one date and on A&E on another date in mid-September with the exact dates and times to be announced later. He also shared information on the increase in security cameras in place in District buildings and said that enrollment is at 2,518, which is up from last school year at this time.

The Board approved hazardous bus routes that will generate funding for the District; approved a three-year contract with Honeywell for $145,000 the first year and 3% annual increases to follow; and approved substitute teacher pay.

Board members also okayed a tentative budget for the coming fiscal year. Assistant Superintendent Jason Fox said the Education Fund is projected to drop by more than $291,000, the Operations and Maintenance Fund is to grow by almost $35,000, the Transportation Fund is to increase by more than $56,000, and the Working Cash Fund is to be up by $246,000. Those figures are if all revenues and expendtures end as projected.

Board member Jane Willenborg asked for more information on available teacher allocations for school supplies and that a report that $70 is allocated per teacher in one building didn't seem sufficient. Fox said the building principals oversee such allocations and that the allocations might vary by building as a result.

Board member Kathleen Smith asked again for more information on a policy regarding students with chronic illnesses not being excused from semester exams. Smith said students incurring discipline points could clean up their act and earn a break from the exams, but students who are chronically ill have no such remedy.

Board member Carol Ruffner was not present for Monday's meeting.