On 4-3 Vote, Lewis Reassigned from EJHS Principal to Teacher

On a 4-3 vote, the Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education Monday voted to reassign Effingham Junior High School Principal Cody Lewis to a teaching position for next school year.

Those voting for the reassignment were Robin Klosterman, Jill Wendling, Jane Willenborg and Steve Bone. Voting against the reassignment were Kathleen Smith, Brad Waldhoff and Board President Angie Byers.

The Board adjourned immediately after taking the vote. 

(CODY LEWIS)

Lewis is in his third year as principal at EJHS. He previously served as assistant principal at Effingham High School and, before that, as a teacher at EHS.

No negative remarks were heard during the public comments portion of the meeting.

Those appearing in person were teachers Susan Young and Shellie Baker as well as junior high secretary Linda Baker. Superintendent Mark Doan read letters on Lewis' behalf from teachers Nancy Ervin, Katie Breer, Barb Probst, Jalana Robison, Holly Dust and Josh Robison; retired EHS secretary Susie Cisna; retired teachers Donna Walls and Donna Rhodes; Unit Transportation Director Kristen Harvey; junior high head cook Kathy Peters; junior high head custodian Jeff Leasher, parent Marina Zaring, and from Lewis' wife, Mandy.

Most comments dealt with Lewis as a person as well as an administrator, while others dealt with the amount of change already being experienced with the past administrative turnover, the junior high renovation project, new testing, the possible departure of both junior high guidance counselors and, now, the interruption of the school year by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several said the building is in need of "consistency" and are supportive of Lewis returning. 

Ervin wrote, "I don't think he's done much wrong to lose his job. Communication was one thing he needed to work on, and he has." She said Lewis "has shown great improvement from last year."

Linda Baker shared that Lewis "is a great asset" and that "our school needs Mr. Lewis".

Some speakers and writers suggested that some complaints have been from those "resistant to change."

A decision on a teaching assignment for Lewis will come later.

In other personnel moves, the Board hired Morgan Drees as a teacher for next school year; Kelly Lohman was transferred to a first and second grade interventionist as South Side School for next school year; a resignation was accepted from Alexandra Niebrugge as a Special Education teacher, junior high assistant softball coach and junior high track coach; and retirements were accepted from Dawn Byrum as head cook at South Side at the end of this school year, from Jenny Fruchtl as a guidance counselor at the end of this school year, and from Ellen Brummer as a teacher at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

Other action was minimal. The Board purchased a forklift to replace one damaged struck by a vehicle on the high school parking lot. After insurance is figured in, the District will pay just over $7,000 for a 2004 model unit from Bahrns Equipment.

Assistant Superintendent Jason Fox reported that some 200 people have utilized the sack lunch program being offered at five locations around the District. Fox said most of the interest initially was in educational packets made available for use at home by students and parents, but the amount of food being utilized is increasing. Fox noted that one site has been relocated from Kohl's parking lot to the area in front of the former Kay Jewelers. The other sites are at South Side School, Effingham High School, Mason Christian Church and the former Edgewood School building that now houses the Mason Park District operation.

Fox also reported that the District fund balance totals $30.6 million, including close to $21.2 million in operating funds and almost $6.5 million in health/life safety funds.