No Decision By Unit 40 Board on Return to School Plan

With just five of the seven members in attendance, the Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education delayed any action on a proposed Return to School Plan for the coming year.

One item that was raised Monday by the Board is whether to ask teachers and other District staff members whether they have been vaccinated for COVID-19 and, if not, whether to require them to wear masks. The same question would be asked of visitors to district buildings.

There was sentiment among those present Monday night for asking, but opposition, as well. Board President Robin Klosterman said there were enough members present to vote on the issue, but she didn't feel such an item should be decided when a "three-vote majority" could result. A special meeting will be held in the next several days to decide that question and the entire Back to School Plan.

Most of the other components of the plan were addressed without much fanfare, although member Jane Willenborg didn't sound convinced that masks are necessary in any scenario. That drew a quick response from member Desha Wear, who believes that masks have prevented some from contracting COVID-19. 

Effingham Classroom Teachers Association President Michael Lambton addressed the Board about concerns of some of his members. Among the items: there was not enough space to properly respond to questions, concerns over the increase of Delta variant cases of COVID, concern over-regulating visitors to district buildings, and his feeling that more input is needed and be open to changes in the plan if warranted.

Members Steve Bone and Brad Waldhoff were not present for Monday's meeting.

Also Monday, the Unit 40 board renewed health care coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield, as the premium actually declined by 3%...Board policy updates and changes were approved...and food purchases for the year through the SEPCO Food Cooperative were approved for Unit 40 for $1.35 million. Unit 40 is the lead district for some two dozen districts that buy in bulk to lower the cost of the food purchases.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 Board employed Deonte King as a kindergarten teacher at the Early Learning Center, Amy Ferguson, Shelby Mooney and Samantha Bloemer as paraprofessionals, and Elizabeth Wilkinson as music teacher at Central School. The Board transferred Janelle Schuette to a kindergarten teacher at the Early Learning Center. Resignations were accepted from Alyssa Nelson as a kindergarten teacher, Hailey Meltzer as an elementary music teacher. Morgan Lidy as a preschool teacher, Jim McElroy as a bus driver, Kathryn Roepke as a kindergarten teacher, and Lisa Orsborn as a bus aide. The Board accepted the retirement of Marie Sawyer as a bus driver, and approved the release of Cindy Grupe as a cafeteria monitor at Central School.