Opposition to Unit 40 Status Quo Plan Heard at Monday Meeting

There was opposition heard Monday night at a special meeting of the Effingham Unit 40 school board as to maintaining the status quo.

Following a closed session to consider student discipline and personnel matters, the Board heard from five individuals, all of whom were against the decision to maintain the status quo when it comes to the required masking of students. Some of those who addressed the Board said even if it turns out to be a short-term situation, they supported ending required masking.

The comments followed a Sangamon County Circuit Court ruling Friday. Judge Raylene Grischow issued a Temporary Restraining Order against requiring masking in school district buildings, as well as weekly COVID testing and other precautions. The ruling does not regulate Unit 40's actions since the district was not a defendant in the lawsuit that led to the ruling. 

The judge's decision has been appealed to the 4th District Appellate Court. A decision on a request to stay the judge's ruling until a final decision on the matter is expected in the next day or two. That final decision is expected by the end of next week.

The Board decided to maintain the status quo for now. 

Also Monday, the Board expelled a student through the end of the 2022-2023 school year, and transferred Amanda Lindemann to a four-hour food service position at the junior high school.