Numbers of Remote Learners, COVID Cases in Unit 40 Dwindling

The numbers of remote learners and COVID cases in the Effingham Unit 40 school district are dwindling.

That's what the Unit 40 school board heard Monday night.

Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan said just 8% of those enrolled in district schools are utilizing remote learning. There are 75 Effingham High School students still taking classes through remote learning, but that's more than 50 fewer students than at the start of the school year. It's the same story at each district building. 

As far as the number of positive COVID-19 cases, Doan reported that of the 365 district employees, no one is quarantined and just four are on isolation. As far as the 2,355 students, one is on isolation and 37 are quarantined. His message: "keep wearing masks, keep practicing social distancing."

There was much discussion about plans for athletic events resuming soon following the surprising announcement by IDPH Director Dr Ngozi Ezike Friday that our area went back to Phase 4 in the COVID Restore Illinois plan. As a result, games could get started in the next couple of weeks.

Doan indicated that he and other Apollo Conference superintendents are meeting to see about unifying their plans. They will next meet this Thursday, the day after the IHSA Board is slated to meet to lay out the seasons of the various high school sports. Athletic Directors can then finalize schedules for each sport.

Assistant Superintendent Jason Fox said the technology rollout is going well. Fox said, "there are just a handful of laptops to be distributed, and those are most all for those involved in remote learning." Fox said the rollout will be down to first graders this week, then Kindergarten and pre-schoolers, "and then we will be on to the next task."

Central School Assistant Principal Todd Schuette, who is the district's homeless liaison, reported on compliance with the McKinney-Vento homeless program. Schuette thinks most people don't realize that there are homeless people in Unit 40. He said each day district staff deal with students who come to school to take their showers and that staff members help launder the students' clothing. He said the community is great to provide hygiene items, clothing, and school supplies and that the district makes free lunches available. Schuette said, "Our secretaries and guidance counselors are our frontline workers" in addressing the situation.

The Board heard from Curriculum Director Chelle Beck about replacing a high school Biotechnology course with what will be known as Biology II. Beck said the Biotechnology course was not preparing students for "rigorous training" if they plan to pursue science or medical careers. Textbooks are already being reviewed.

Board members reviewed options for high school graduation. They are looking at Sunday, May 23, at 2pm, perhaps outdoors as was the case last year. The matter will be decided at the February school board meeting. The last day of student attendance will be Friday, May 21. The goal is to get the school year wrapped up so the final summer of work can begin on the junior high building. Doan said the "whole south end of the junior high building will have to be packed up and moved" to make way for the work.

The Board approved memoranda of agreement with the Effingham Education Support Professionals Association and the Effingham Classroom Teachers Association that address additional COVID days.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 Board hired Megan Faber as a three-hour cook at the high school, Amanda Lindemann as a three-hour cook at the junior high school, Patricia Day as a paraprofessional at the Early Learning Center, Cheryl Walker as a paraprofessional at South Side School, Jennifer Springer as secretary at South Side, Carla Cornett as secretary and cashier at South Side, Emily Devall as paraprofessional at the Early Learning Center, Greg Devall as a custodian at the high school, and Katherine Wetherell as health care supervisor. 

Transfers were approved for Lori West as five-hour cook at the high school and Christy Jones as secretary at the preschool.

Resignations were approved for Michelle Sidwell as a cook, Katie Stewart as a paraprofessional, Aaron McDaniels as a teacher at South Side, Julie Ruholl as a paraprofessional, and Theodore Rathe as a custodian.

Leaves of absence were granted Maria Bushur, Erica Schumacher, Deb Kirby and Shannon Hinkle.

Retirements were accepted from Cathy White as secretary at South Side as of the end of this school year, and from Cathy Hille as secretary at South Side and cashier at the junior high school as of the end of this school year.