Unit 40 Board Votes to Continue Ban on Most Headgear

The Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education Monday voted 4-3 to continue a ban on any garment that covers the head, ears, and/or obstructs the eyes or face of a student. The exception would be for headgear that is worn for religious or medical reasons. 

Those voting for the motion were Board President Robin Klosterman and members Steve Bone, Brad Thompson and Desha Wear. Those who voted against the motion were Jane Willenborg, Brad Waldhoff and Jill Wendling. Wear was appointed to the Board at the beginning of Monday night's meeting to fill a vacancy created when only two people ran for the three available seats in the April election.

Klosterman, a former teacher, said the teaching staff responded "overwhelmingly" that they don't want headgear allowed, and the information available is that school districts in the area don't allow headwear. 

Bone asked, "Are they (the other districts) all wrong?"

Waldhoff responded, "Let's get back to being a leader. We (shouldn't) feel like everyone is going to do the wrong thing."

Wendling said, "I want to trust that kids are going to do the right thing."

Klosterman said, "I think that people should proudly honor their cultural heritage, but I don't want to put one more thing on a teacher's plate" to police.

Willenborg said, "I don't see any difference; a do-rag is a little more material" than some things that students are allowed to wear to keep their hair out of their eyes.

Speaking of do-rags, Nancy Marschewski again addressed the Board, asking that her son, who is Black, be allowed to wear a do-rag. She said that when her son treats his hair, or has it treated, that the do-rag is necessary to keep the hair from drying out before the treatment is completed. Otherwise, the hair will crack and break. A major concern for Marschewski is that her son is punished for wearing the do-rag while she says other students can wear things on their heads without punishment. She said, "He was punished for being different."

Colin Marschewski showing an example of the do-rag he'd like to wear to EHS

We talked with Nancy Marschewski outside the meeting following the discussion...

A letter was read from the American Civil Liberties Union asking the Board to amend its stance.

The Board Monday also heard from Kesney Estrada, whose son recently attempted suicide.

Estrada said Unit 40 has "an adult administration bullying problem." She said the signs were there that the incident was going to occur unless things changed, but nothing changed. She added, "You said you'd keep my child safe" and "you were fully aware he couldn't take anymore."

Monday's meeting was also an opportunity to recognize those retiring from employment with the school district. Time was given to honor not only those staff members retiring this year, but also those who were in their final year when schools were shut down in March of 2020 due to the pandemic.

(2020 RETIREES)

The 2020 retirees include Becky Parker, Becky Peno, Mary Dust, Sue Ann Minor, Jamie Jennings, Jenny Fruchtl, Linda Richards, Geri Cochran, Charlotte West, Sharon Chesnut, Dawn Byrum, Joe Freimuth, Wayne Stumeier, Irene Stumeier and the late Greg Lankford.

(2021 RETIREES)

The 2021 retirees include Kelly Anderson, Ron Reed, Shannon Hinkle, Cathy White, Cathy Hille, Pauline Sapp, Patricia Hernandez and Mary Altgilbers. 

In other business, the Unit 40 board purchased bus stop arm cameras, approved close to $49,000 in roof repairs on the district office building on South Banker Street, continued Jane Willenborg and Steve Bone as the Eastern Illinois Area Special Education representative and alternate, approved an amended fiscal year budget that will be finalized when the fiscal year ends at the end of June

The Board also agreed to dispose of old band uniforms no longer needed.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 Board hired Delaney VanDoren and Lauren Lotz as elementary teachers at South Side for the coming school year, Sarah Alvord as an English as a Second Language teacher for the coming school year, Kasondra Murray as a special education teacher at the high school for the coming school year, Brittany Reganhardt as an extended school year 2021 paraprofessional, Allen Birch, Tammy Birch, Barb Mueller and Nancy Moeller as summer bridge program bus drivers, and Lisa Campton as a summer bridge program bus aide, and approved a leave of absence for Deonte King.