Marschewski Charges Systemic Racism in Unit 40

Nancy Marschewski charged that there is "systemic racism" in Unit 40 schools and that "we need to address this."

Marschewski and husband John were present at Monday night's Unit 40 meeting, as they were in March. At the previous meeting, Nancy Marschewski's remarks focused on the do rag her son wanted to wear, and that the district needed to consider the culture of their students of color. Monday's remarks were focused on the experiences she said have been experienced by her sons, all children of color, although Nancy and John Marschewski are white. Among her comments was one that the district seems "more concerned with what's ON his head than what's going on IN his head." She detailed a number of incidents where she said one son was constantly called the "N" word by another student and that teachers and other adults refused to help

There was no response by school officials or the Board to the remarks, but there was discussion in response to last month's concerns. The Board considered two options, one where there would not be much change in the District dress code, and one where hats and certain other headwear would be permitted under certain guidelines. Each option was voted on, and each vote ended in a 3-3 tie.

There was some discussion after the votes that the matter would be re-visited after other business of the Board was completed, but the meeting was adjourned with no further discussion. Doan said following the meeting that with no other information, the matter would be revisited at the May meeting.

Also Monday, the Board adopted the calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. Institute days will take place on August 23-24 with the first day of student attendance on August 25. Doan said this would be the last year for a later start to accommodate work being done on the junior high school building. The Board also adopted the fee list for the coming school year. The only changes are 10-cent hikes in breakfast and lunch prices.

Board members approved a new three-year agreement with the City of Effingham for school resources officers in district buildings; agreed to purchase 60 teacher laptops and 75 student laptops for $76,518; approved membership in the IHSA and IESA for the coming school year; heard that the Unit 40 Foundation is giving away 54 scholarships worth $31,000; and approved membership again this year in the SEPCO food purchasing cooperative.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 Board employed Renee Dial as a three-hour cook at the high school; hired Cindy Grupe as a cafeteria monitor at Central; hired Michaela McClure as a special education teacher at South Side; appointed Mindy Pals as high school pom pon coach; transferred Carla Cornett to a secretary at South Side, Leah Colclasure as head cook at the high school for the coming school year, and Josh Simmons as head custodian at East Side Pre-School. Resignations were accepted from Mindy MCollum-Boswell as 8th grade volleyball coach and from Dana Koester as high school varsity basketball cheer coach; a retirement was accepted from Pauline Sapp as head cook at the high school; and leaves were approved for Allison Bowen, Kathryn Roepke and Gina Buscher.

Hirings were also approved for Summer School. Missy Donaldson, Karla Greenwood, Jennifer Hall, Christin Hartke, Amy Hewing, Emily King, Shanna Lewis, Sandy Lohman, Hailey Meltzer, Josh Morton, Jeni Phillips, Shayna Phillips, Elizabeth Russell, Elizabeth Stevenson and Denise Tarin as Summer Bridge teachers. Diana Arnold, Heather Batson, Kim Bushue, Barb Jamison, Patty Keck, Deonte King, Darlene Krietemeyer, Kerri Krischel, Courtney Mathews, Kristi McCord, Kasondra Murray and Angie Probst as Summer Bridge Paraprofessionals. Deb Blankenship as Summer Bridge secretary; Diane Tieffel and Liz Budde as Summer Bridge cooks; Kim Knierim as Extended School Year bus driver; and Lana Adams as Extended School Year bus aide.

Also hired: Megan Adkins, Jason Eirhart, Katrina Eirhart, Miranda Fox, Jared Hammer, Weston Peno, Austin Waldhoff, and Rhonda Wines as summer seasonal help as the technology crew; Richard Long and Payton Bushue as summer seasonal help as the maintenance crew; Theresa Fuesting, Laura Hodges and Wayne Mapes as summer seasonal help as the transportation crew; and Darlene Krietemeyer and Diane Tieffel as summer seasonal help as the July custodial crew.