Andy Johnson Hired as Next Unit 40 Superintendent

Jasper County Unit 1 Superintendent of Schools Andy Johnson Monday was hired as the next superintendent of the Effingham Unit 40 School District. The vote was 7-0 to hire Johnson.

Johnson will succeed Mark Doan when Doan retires as of June 30, 2022. He received a five-year contract.

Johnson is a McLeansboro native and attended Hamilton County School District. The McKendree University graduate spent 14 years in the Marissa school district as a teacher and coach, then moved to Teutopolis where he served as assistant high school principal and athletic director for seven years. This is Johnson's sixth year as Jasper Unit superintendent.

Johnson is part of a family of educators. His mother and father were present for Monday's hiring announcement. They each taught more than 30 years. Johnson's wife, Sherra, is a teacher in the Stewardson-Strasburg school district. Their son, Austin, teaches and coaches in the Troy Triad school district. Their daughter, Taryn, is a student at SIU Edwardsville studying Elementary Education. His brother, Benjy, serves as superintendent of the Benton school district and is the former superintendent at Neoga. His sister, Christy teaches in Missouri.

Johnson said he is excited to be joining the Unit 40 district, and said relationships are the key to everything we do. He said his core beliefs are: God, Family, and Work. In remarks following his hiring, Johnson said, "My #1 goal, as I begin to work with everyone in the Unit #40 district and community is to serve; God has blessed me with a servant heart and I am looking forward to sharing that with all of you."

As to his upcoming departure from Jasper County, Johnson said he will leave with thanks for the Board giving him a chance as a rookie superintendent and that he has told those he's spoken with that if he can help in the future, he will be a phone call or a short drive away.

Greg Sapp spoke with Andy Johnson shortly after his hiring...

The Board also agreed to seek bids on the final phase of renovation work at South Side School. Assistant Superintendent Jason Fox said the project will include the classrooms on the west end of the building, as well as all of the building's heating and air conditioning system. Board members also voted to award roof replacement work on the bus garage building to Top Quality Roofing for $132,900 and the gym roof at Central School to Kehrer Brothers for $211,400. 

There was some discussion over a possible installation of a turf field at Effingham High School to accommodate football, soccer, and marching band. The price tag is just over $1.4 million. 

Board President Robin Klosterman made it clear that a large part of the project cost would have to come from donations from the community before she could support any contribution of district funds. The daughter-in-law of Klosterman Field's namesake, she said the field "is near and dear to my heart", but she couldn't endorse a large allocation of district funds for the project. 

Other board members said they appreciated that their Facilities and Transportation Committee advanced the idea for consideration.

Doan said efforts are to begin soon to see what could be raised in private donations before plans could move forward. The project would need to be underway by December to be ready for next school year.

The Board discussed the tax levy for the coming fiscal year. Fox said the estimated tax rate is 3.5376, down slightly from 3.5389 this past fiscal year. He said estimates are that the district Equalized Assessed Valuation will be $504,473,511.36. He said there are plans to spend down a couple of funds to keep the tax rate down. 

Board members approved Ryan Engel as a Unit #40 Foundation Director. Foundation Advisor Todd Schuette said seven teacher grants totaling $8,767 were awarded.

Doan reported that enrollment is at 2,336 students; that this week is Principal Appreciation Week; and that Shield Testing to detect COVID-19 is to start November 15. In the meantime, Binex testing will continue. He noted that parents have signed up 138 of their students for the Shield Testing when it begins.

In personnel action, Unit 40 board members hired Barb Mueller as a bus safety trainer, and Ashley Delks and Shelby Wilkinson as paraprofessionals. A transfer was approved for Cheryl Walker as a library clerk at the high school. Jenna Osborn was granted a leave of absence, and food service staffer Shelby Farnham was released.