Unit 40 Board Sets Calendars to Fit w/Junior High Project

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Published on March 25 2019 9:34 pm
Last Updated on March 25 2019 9:40 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

 

(EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL KURT ROBERTS WITH EHS TEACHER TY TOTTEN, WHO WAS RECOGNIZED AS AN EXEMPLARY CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TEACHER)

Unit 40 school board members Monday approved calendars for the coming three school years that will conform with the upcoming renovation of Effingham Junior High School.

At a previous meeting, the Board heard that the first and third years of the three-year project would have to involve longer summers. Accordingly, they voted Monday to hold off on beginning the 2019-2020 school year until Monday, August 26, a week or so later than in recent years. The school year will end on Friday, May 29, 2020, if there are no emergency days used. 

For the 2020-2021 year, the year will begin at the usual time, around August 15.

For 2021-2022, though, a longer summer will be needed, meaning a later start to that year.

Superintendent Mark Doan reminded that during the first week of the coming school year, the school day will end at 2pm.

The Board discussed the number of valedictorians and salutatorians. Doan wondered whether the large number of valedictorians seen each year is a problem and, if so, how could it be addressed? Board members asked for more input as to their options for addressing the issue, then will revisit the matter.

The Board awarded the planned renovation work at South Side School. Andy Lester Construction of Vandalia was the low bidder for the base bid and eight alternates at $529,387. Even with the alternates, the project came in about $35,000 below the estimated cost.

Asbestos abatement work at South Side was awarded earlier. The rest of the scope of work includes:

 

--installation of lay-in ceiling tile and grid in areas requiring abatement work

--new lights in areas requiring abatement work

--new carpet tiles in areas requiring abatement work

--interior painting in areas requiring abatement work

--replacing wire glass with safety glass

--toilet partition replacement

The Board, on a split vote, agreed to allocate just over $20,000 toward work to expand the EHS Cafe. The project to teach job skills to special needs students and to broaden the horizons of other students, is already underway, but Phase 2 will enhance the cafe atmosphere of the establishment. Board members Angie Byers and Patty Russell voted No on the allocation, both saying they like the project, but saying they feel there are other classroom needs that the funds could cover.

(MEMBERS OF THE 7TH GRADE VOLLEYBALL REGIONAL CHAMPIONS FROM EFFINGHAM JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL WITH COACH LAURIE BOHNHOFF. THE GIRLS PICTURED ARE, FIRST ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: ADDISON HOLSTE AND KENDYLL SCHOONOVER AND SECOND ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: RAEGAN O'DELL, KEIRA ROTHROCK, CHARLY KREKE, AND EVIE BALLARD. THOSE NOT PRESENT: ANGELA BALLMAN, RAEGAN BOONE, KAYDEE BORTON, BRIANA DILGER, RAYLEN HARDIEK, OLIVIA KATT, LEXI McCOY, MAKENNA ROLEY AND LILIANA TOMAS. THE TEAM FINISHED THE SEASON 16-6)

Board members approved discipline and handbook changes. EJHS Assistant Principal Charlie Schwerman and EHS Assistant Principal David Gillean presented the changes after hearing from staff members and members of the public. At EHS, changes stiffen penalties for tardiness, increase the number of misconduct polls for use of tobacco products, increasing the penalty for a threat to a school or to a student body to 60 points, and bigger point penalties for possession of e-cigarettes, vaping materials and similar items.

The penalty at the junior high will increase for possession of any tobacco products. At Central, e-cigarettes, vaping materials or any other smoking materials will be prohibited.

There were no changes recommended at South Side, and some language changes were recommended at the Early Learning Center.

In personnel moves, Board members hired Rhonda Wines as a mentor facilitator at Central School for the coming school year, hired Anthony Parks as a custodian at Central, hired Leah Schrock as a teacher interventionist at the Early Learning Center for the coming school year, and hired Jessica Wohlschlaeger as an English teacher at the high school and as high school Yearbook sponsor for the coming school year. Also, Kelsey Hutmacher was appointed split Student Council sponsor at the high school for the coming school year. The Board accepted resignations from Marcy Zerrusen as a teacher at the end of this school year, from Brittany Mette as high school basketball cheer coach, from Jordan Adams as junior high library clerk at the end of this school year and from Kristie Thomas a Family and Consumer Science teacher at the end of this school year.

The Board voted to reimburse Honors English students who had to pay more than should have been charged for books. Rather than up to $30, the 51 students paid $50. Each student overcharged will each be reimbursed $20. Board members also approved one-year contracts with the Regional Office of Education, CEFS, and EIASE for use of classroom space in Unit 40 buildings for the coming year.

Also Monday, the Board recognized members of the 7th grade girls volleyball team for their regional championship, and recognized teacher Ty Totten who was recognized as a 2019 Exemplary Career and Technical Education Teacher. Totten was honored at the Innovative Curriculum Resources Project's professional development event in February in Bloomington. He will have the opportunity to participate in other professional development events and present at one of the CTE academies in June. Totten teaches Manufacturing Skills, Welding and other Career and Technology classes at EHS.

Updates were shared by Central Assistant Principal and Unit 40 Foundation Director Todd Schuette on Foundation activities, to include a Scholarship Reception on May 1, a "Nine and Dine" golf and dinner event on August 17, and a "grateful hearts" event to be held during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Doan reported that enrollment is down 16 students from a year ago, and gave thumbs-up to the EHS production of "Hello Dolly" over the weekend.