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

The Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education Monday voted to put a 1% sales tax question on the April election ballot.

Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan said the tax would generate revenue that could be used for renovation or construction projects in the district. Certain items would be exempt from the tax. The last time the tax was on the ballot, proponents said the majority of the revenue would be generated by those who live outside Effingham County.

Voters in school districts representing a majority of the students in a county have to approve the measure for it to pass. Until recently, more than 50% of the students lived in Unit 40. Now, slightly less than 50% of the students live in Unit 40, meaning a majority in one other district and Unit 40 would have to vote for the question for it to pass. 

The Teutopolis school board also voted Monday to put the sales tax question back on the ballot in April. A majority of those in the Teutopolis district who voted the last time the question was on the ballot voted for its passage.

The Unit 40 board was also to vote Monday on contracts with FGM Architects and with Poettker Construction on the renovation of Effingham Junior High School. However, Doan said the attorneys weren't satisfied with the contract language, so no vote on the items was taken.

Board members heard from Effingham High School Principal Kurt Roberts on the subject of e-cigarettes. Roberts held up a bag of items confiscated from students that are used for vaping or other purposes. He said it's been Unit 40 policy for some time that e-cigarettes or vaping materials are treated the same as cigarettes. He's glad about that because students are becoming as addicted to the nicotene in the e-cigarettes or vaping materials as they would if they were smoking cigarettes. 

(EHS PRINCIPAL KURT ROBERTS)

Roberts said students and their parents who think the items aren't as harmful are being "lied to for profit." He said he and School Resource Office Aaron Lange have met with Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler on the development of measures that could carry penalties for those who sell such items.

Roberts also updated the Board on discussions regarding a weighted grading system. He said a group of teachers representing most every department in the high school are trying to address parental concerns such as students taking less than top-level classes to keep their grades up, how weighted grading might impact college admissions and competition for college scholarships, and how taking easier courses could lead to more valedictorians.

Roberts said he plans to have a full report ready for the Board after the first of the year.

The Board heard from the EHS Multi-Media class and Director of Innovation Joe Fatheree on what they're learning and the impact it's having on them. Board members also approved a health/life safety amendment concerning the heating units on the high school sports complex next to the football field. The Board also joined a Future Green Energy Consortium designed to save the District money over the next several years and potentially provide a power supply to the District.

Board members heard from Assistant Superintendent Jason Fox that the District has almost $24 million in all funds, and just under $20 million in operating funds. Both figures are ahead of last year. Doan also shared that the District has 24 fewer students than last year.

The Board learned that Effingham High and other buildings in the district generated $3,243 for the Taylorville school district in the aftermath of the tornado that struck Taylorville December 1. Fox reported that Ameren replaced the outdoor lighting at Central School at no cost to the district as part of an energy-saving initiative they sponsored, and that IDOT provided over 400 trees that were planted at buildings throughout the district's school sites at no cost to the district.

In personnel matters, the Unit 40 board formally accepted Rem Woodruff's resignation as varsity boys basketball coach and promoted JV Coach Obie Farmer to replace Woodruff. Woodruff's resignation was announced earlier Monday. Also, the Board hired Michael Martin as English Language Arts teacher at the high school for the second semester, hired Kammy McKenna as an Art teacher at the junior high school for the second semester, and hired Mariah Tabbert as a paraprofessional for the second semester. Leaves were approved for Denise Willenborg and Gala Meyer. Resignations were accepted from Kenda Schuette as a cafeteria monitor at Central as of the end of December, and from Jessica Overton as a paraprofessional as of the end of December. The Board also accepted the retirement of Kathy Nava-Sifuentes as Mentor Facilitator at the end of the school year.

By the way, there will be at least three new people on the Unit 40 board following the April election, as incumbents Jeff Michael, Todd Schaefer and Carol Ruffner are not seeking re-election. Incumbent Jane Willenborg has filed for another term.

Board member Patty Russell was not present for Monday's meeting.