Unit 40 School Board Worked on Security Agreement with EPD

(THOSE MEMBERS OF THE 2023 EFFINGHAM JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL TRACK SQUADS WHO ADVANCED TO STATE COMPETITION WHO ATTENDED MONDAY'S MEETING)

Effingham Unit 40 school board members Monday approved a revised intergovernmental agreement with the Effingham City Police Department.

The district and the EPD have had an agreement in place where School Resource Officers have been available to the school district. Under this revision, more officers will be used on a hireback basis in hopes of having an officer in each building where students are housed. Board member Steve Bone said, "There is no higher priority than the safety of our students." It was also noted that the EIASE program in Effingham and Sacred Heart School have voiced interest in the project.

Unit 40 Superintendent Andy Johnson said he "wants to have this in place before something happens." The agreement would be for one year to see how it works.

The Board approved an energy system upgrade contract with ENTEC for $203,500 for the coming year. The district is in the process of switching its heating and cooling operation system from Honeywell to ENDEC. 

Board members amended the calendar for the coming school year to continue taking off President's Day rather than LIncoln's Birthday; amended a multi-year agreement with Pepsi Mid-America to reduce the vendor's expense; and amended the process for hiring the next athletic director to succeed David Woltman who is retiring after the coming school year. The process had begun earlier with the thought of having the incoming AD working with Woltman during his last year but it was later decided to hire an assistant in the AD's office. The new AD should be hired in December with a start date of July 1, 2024. 

The Board discussed the recently-completed strategic plan, how it will be implemented, and what steps will be taken to keep it current. It was termed Monday as a "broad vision for the next 3-5 years."

Johnson reported on the start of operation of the LIttle Hearts Child Care Center as of this month. He said that district monies are not being used to operate the Center and reminded that it will be a 12-month operation. He added that all personnel except two or three resignations have stayed with the center. He also reported that renovation work at South Side School is on schedule and that there are no plans to make any changes to the schedule.

There was also discussion about next April's solar eclipse and how it might impact the community and the safety of getting students home if there is a large influx of people here to see the eclipse. The issue will likely be revisited.

The Board welcomed members of this spring's Effingham Junior High School boys and girls track teams that advanced to State competition to Monday's meeting.

Board members Andrew Altman and Desha Wear were not present for Monday's meeting.