Unit 40 Board Hears More About Masks, Approves Contract w/Teachers

Effingham Unit 40 school board members Monday heard from another group of citizens opposed to the decision to require masks in the classroom this coming school year.

The Board voted 4-3 at their previous meeting to require masks, in keeping with the mandate issued by Governor J.B. Pritzker. There was some sentiment by those speaking for a re-vote, or for members Jill Wendling and Steve Bone who said last time that they were worried about repercussions if they voted against the mandate to either abstain from the vote or resign from the Board.

One resident said she is "angry and worried" and "we are being bullied by our governor and the Illinois State Board of Education." Another speaker said if the Board members need umbrella insurance coverage, he would pay for it.

There were several references to House Bill 2789 that was considered in the General Assembly, but was defeated, that would have given more authority for such actions by the governor or the ISBE. 

Unit 40 Board President Robin Klosterman, though, said she believes that the courts have already ruled that the governor has the authority to issue such Executive Orders. Klosterman also said, "We're not looking at the same situation as last year; the Delta variant is a different situation, and that our first concern has to be the health and safety of our kids." She also suggested,"It's a different situation than last school year with lunch, games, and other interaction; a lot of normality is being brought back."

Klosterman also indicated that politics is behind some of the interaction, but board member Chad Thompson said, "I'm not making this political, the Governor is". 

In other business, the Unit 40 Board ratified a four-year contract agreement with the Effingham Classroom Teachers Association. The vote was unanimous. Superintendent Mark Doan said the average cell will be increased 3.2% each year of the agreement.

The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Effingham Public Library. Curriculum Director Michelle Beck and Library Director Amanda McKay worked on the agreement, which is designed to bridge a gap with school staff members and provide transportation for students. Staff members who live outside the city limits of any community can get a library card under the agreement.

The Board adjusted community service guidelines and also approved a finals policy that requires everyone to take first-semester senior year finals. Attendance will not be part of the requirements to take finals.

Board members and Doan took time to recognize Denise Anderson, who has retired after 24 years of service as Unit Cafeteria Director; purchased paper at a cost of just over $22,000; purchased 600 device cases for laptops for junior high students for just over $17,000; and purchased 100 interactive boards at a cost of $235,000 with orders to be placed as needed.

The Board also voted to place a tentative fiscal year budget on file for public inspection with a final vote in September.

In personnel moves, the Unit 40 Board hired Shelly Klein as a two-hour cashier at the high school; Ryan Elsasser as Director of Food Services; Donna Shields, Laurie Graves, Jessica James and Kayla Legg as paraprofessionals; Katherine Inman as a four-hour bus driver; and Vickie Darling as a three-hour cashier at the high school; accepted resignations from Allison Bowen as a paraprofessional and from Susie Fleshner as a three-hour cashier; and accepted the retirement of Penny Wiedman as executive secretary at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Leaves of absence were granted Diane Tieffel, David Tieffel and Liliana Fulk. Several individuals were approved as volunteer band members including Brandon McDaniels, Cheyenne Brickner, Justin Wheeler, Erin Browne, Hannah Krutsinger, Garrison Reed, Marc Moss and Dan Brickner.