[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6231918,"mediaKeyId","3427354-f20f9393c7e0bcb494fd975891624ba3","parentId",3427354,"title","Parent urges board to reinstate eighth-grade commencement","audioSeconds",230,"startMs",711000,"endMs",941000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427354-f20f9393c7e0bcb494fd975891624ba3&start=711&end=941","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427354-f20f9393c7e0bcb494fd975891624ba3/thumbnail_711000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6231918/Illinois/Parent-urges-board-to-reinstate-eighth-grade-commencement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231918-a9ba0c6afc62153469ce65cc450b8afd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448048&Signature=IqOAjafIdo3ryNmITu-zeNO5z0ySQNNsVEbADbHTHzv1KMFNdhH8vna1Tim6yn6G3vEgVS3CApF0l5YnRutvvGHdOAYJhirbm5FwPM1KVssyKSrw47OkrgtyYeiwz1UF4qRnowuTjLha8yfY1UWlQEsXOyzABCvvLziPbL8bjKrbdDCc9c0jC5ddbjNTeB9I~52z78Zm7nfnf-bw12XGKsarba~Uk7PaYDEkQ35hRfaOqyhJD71cwQkt4UJECOSb~BDYodb8Z9vw5LP1ecUUZLISzMElG5KLIqJtMGeyWopAOTyqQc2FZukyhK1R9lCX-6DQOxKwt8LkxgbtLUc75A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Effingham CUSD 40","date","2025-05-21T18:04:54.473Z","article","At the public comment portion of the May meeting, Catherine Zumwalt, a parent with two sons in Effingham High School, asked the board to consider reinstating an eighth-grade commencement or to provide an alternative recognition event for junior-high students.

Zumwalt described the potential value of a short commencement or an afternoon/evening of music, games and awards that would give eighth graders recognition and a boost of confidence before moving to high school; she offered to help organize fundraising, secure sponsorships from local businesses and convene a committee to run the event if the board wanted one.

Board members acknowledged the request and said they would \"do some homework on that\" and look into options for reinstating an eighth-grade recognition event.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Effingham Unit #40 Board of Education Meeting: May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A parent asked the board to reinstate an eighth-grade commencement or similar recognition event, offering to organize fundraising and a committee if the district supports the idea.","taxTitle","Effingham CUSD 40, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",39833,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6231922,"Board approves MOU to expand 'flex' teacher positions from six to ten",126,4279000,4405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427354-f20f9393c7e0bcb494fd975891624ba3&start=4279&end=4405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427354-f20f9393c7e0bcb494fd975891624ba3/thumbnail_4279000.jpg","/articles/6231922/Illinois/Board-approves-MOU-to-expand-flex-teacher-positions-from-six-to-ten","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231922-553b9613d9a6f9ca6b1267aa93a90a6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448048&Signature=deB6eqiZR7BM-msxJ4wCl20UdhQP1i9o-77E2NCLEj-6evB0Y4fk6wsuJrw3UhFdSMM4K-FMgqqbTAO66yx3uNSmbln3hcA92PV-JconrR85v5djWrL5fE0V6Pyrr6OaMYeJYplt9LhcrG97lT71D8SYzL5beSdKBrznWY9g4FQ8gB2dzOMps-HBSbBvUT10yBcdQv7vS50NyhfvLuvsoMZpGmKqoUVvUIGCfy0aKVtkrLOwsjKlVFj-8GOW081Ei4ff1r5hT~UMKPBTYFRtoxDDS1XXZvGOXsZYHlGkA7ywONhfBkRI~jvnjJKwUlBM6Lxeopmtvv5WgDJ1Y7SkBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Effingham CUSD 40 Board approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Effingham Community Teachers Association (ECTA) to continue the district's flex teacher positions and expand them from six positions to ten for the 2025–26 school year.

District staff reported that the flex positions were implemented during the previous school year and were described by administrators and teachers as providing classroom consistency and reducing substitute usage. The district noted the cost impact is primarily related to benefits because flex teachers are placed on full-time salary and benefits; the district previously estimated a ballpark figure of about $10,000 per flex position in benefits-related cost, and staff will review historic substitute usage to measure net effect.

Two or three flex teachers have moved into full-time positions for the coming year, and some flex teachers are returning to flex roles. Board members voted by roll call to approve the MOU; the motion passed unanimously.

The MOU authorizes the district to employ additional flex teachers under terms agreed with the ECTA and calls for the district and the association to monitor staffing, effectiveness and any budget impacts during contract negotiations and future budgeting cycles.","The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Effingham Community Teachers Association (ECTA) to continue and expand flex teacher positions for the 2025–26 school year, increasing the number from six to ten.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6231927,"Board tables major construction authorizations, approves small repairs and budget amendments",2829,1449000,4278000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427354-f20f9393c7e0bcb494fd975891624ba3&start=1449&end=4278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427354-f20f9393c7e0bcb494fd975891624ba3/thumbnail_1449000.jpg","/articles/6231927/Illinois/Board-tables-major-construction-authorizations-approves-small-repairs-and-budget-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231927-c88ad19ac053f8869e1deaa82f5fe16d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448048&Signature=Lg3HFlYVfhWhQpaA6JQtOFTfFj~NCBhsv1XBagMT7dLlatVZcZqZF-chBzvM4rrKil1wP1IwWLo04pExdk1V-1~K4l7wDMJyDu6D-hJoaZEHhiI~mE9awtzuDEBS1A-VJNlqA~yKuFKTQ6bBXUc6I1tstWxQ4~DnoZiTbTBx1OVC8nyoCj-pNbcQ0nXEgw1lhuU-Zxqz~YPUZvLUBR6jw5xrdxC9XHZ6KMGFwPwScz-aYjeMrHJvR5gA7JZHBXo7F--dVzxjokw5qYZANkaFqfzy2g5sha0lyHV5iMiKoTZ8KXiOEZeIoKl7t2fSvhQ5Lr0mdL~0GsC5xmfls9CpOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Effingham CUSD 40 Board on the May meeting amended its FY25 budget to reclassify revenue lines, add expected expenses and fund architectural/contractor costs, and approved a number of capital-related actions while tabling several larger authorizations pending further consideration.

The board approved amendments moving revenue between local and state lines, added $1,500,000 to cover year-end increases in health insurance contributions, added $150,000 in grant-funded salaries, and added an architect-services line of $360,000 in the Operations & Maintenance fund. The Capital Projects (Fund 40) now includes a line for anticipated bond-funded work of $36,125,587, per the tentative amended budget presented by district staff.

On facilities, the board approved an agreement with Intech to purchase and install a ductless air-conditioning system in the Central Grade School kitchen. The listed project scope includes two 2-ton wall-mounted units, refrigeration piping, communication wiring, a new drain line and associated electrical work; the total cost is $12,170 and the motion passed by roll call.

Superintendent (district staff) reported arrival of rented mobile classrooms earlier than scheduled and estimated rental costs “about a hundred thousand dollars a year” for two years; staff said concrete work, parking-lot reconfiguration and city ordinance-driven changes remain to be completed to allow the mobile units to be usable by July 1 if systems are installed on schedule.

The board discussed health and life safety issues at the South Side building: the superintendent described mortar deterioration and water intrusion that likely requires extensive tuckpointing and related repair work he estimated at roughly $250,000 to $300,000; the superintendent said health/life-safety funds would be sought to address that work this summer.

For several larger project authorizations — including Project Authorization No. 3 (Central School gym floor and library renovation, estimated at about $1.8 million), Project Authorization No. 4 (parking lots and drainage), the Holland Construction authorizations, and authorization for a new K–2 building (Project No. 5) — the board voted to table the items. Board members and staff discussed that tabling these items would delay schedule (potentially by months to a year) but would avoid committing construction dollars before the petition window and final funding decisions were complete. Board members indicated smaller, urgent items (like the Central kitchen AC and South Side health/safety work) could continue.","The board approved a FY25 amended budget and a $12,170 AC installation at Central Grade School, amended multiple fund lines, and voted to table larger construction authorizations including gym floor, parking lots and a new K–2 building while continuing South Side health-and-safety work and mobile-classroom preparations.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6231932,"Effingham Unit 40 board adopts bond resolutions; 30-day petition period begins",254,1732000,1986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427354-f20f9393c7e0bcb494fd975891624ba3&start=1732&end=1986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427354-f20f9393c7e0bcb494fd975891624ba3/thumbnail_1732000.jpg","/articles/6231932/Illinois/Effingham-Unit-40-board-adopts-bond-resolutions-30-day-petition-period-begins","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231932-11a30a08e6d768b03d36958e3041c1e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448048&Signature=WflCtyFOMF5gs4douo60ABM5sHZqKHxxe7tN7KXdb76~Inoxx7uxBuIft0zhvGypBhwxtJVqrSZ~gkoQqdVcXz6QnPm5~R-Ju-6idmGorK6pkoI79gchgo9VMnE7igZmUDyWkO9~uFeGHY5peHsaxfA3BU6FGWvkshbvoPBDcQh-uaFkeqGW5xzRHxA0KHgyHw8AM63~Ogl-usxeS-xfjnmTaMdSx2e3O49iObKfq~lJZwq2lBcw1uH8R4M~CzXpFZVJwgIoL4IFj39xtgD779~fI2qc6cnuJflpXiAsHBoGprbE3EnT-YWyXEf0YRqsdgF9PyS8dSiAjRN5yDs2Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Effingham CUSD 40 Board of Education on the May meeting voted to adopt two separate resolutions declaring its intention to issue bonds: $38,000,000 for paying claims against the district and $19,000,000 in working cash fund bonds. Board members approved both resolutions by roll call, starting a 30-day petition period during which registered voters in Unit 40 may submit petitions to force a referendum.

The move matters because adoption of the resolutions does not immediately sell bonds; it begins statutorily required public notice and a 30-day window for petitions. If a valid petition is filed, the board would be required to respond according to the legal process described in the resolutions and applicable state statutes.

Superintendent (district staff) told the board the $38 million request would cover immediate claims and put the district in a position to be eligible later for up to $55 million if the district chose to do so; he said the $38 million would likely fund roughly 18 months of the proposed work and that larger amounts could be pursued later if the board decided to do so. The superintendent also said the district has bonding capacity that could support higher levels, but said that was not a recommendation.

Public commenters pressed the board on tax impacts and the petition process. Shannon McClure, a district resident, asked directly, “Who is paying? … The taxpayers would. Yes,” and pressed for clear information about how to circulate and submit a petition and how signatures would be verified. Angie Byers, a former Unit 40 board member, urged the board to “listen to the majority of taxpayers,” saying a recent 1% sales tax proposal had been rejected locally and warning that property taxes would increase.

Board discussion clarified that adoption of these resolutions triggers the publication of a notice in the newspaper and the 30-day petition window required by law. Board members and staff advised that the district will provide the form of the petition as part of the board packet; petition signatures must be from registered voters residing in Unit 40 and must meet the statutory threshold (discussed during public comment as roughly 10 percent of registered voters in the district). Staff said petitions turned into the district office will be handled according to board procedures and that signatures are subject to verification.

Motion and vote: For the resolution declaring the intention to issue $38,000,000 in bonds, Chad made the motion and Erica Wilfel seconded it. Roll call recorded Yes votes from Chad, Dasha (Desha/Deshia), Brandon, Erica, Jill and Jane and a No vote from Andrew; the motion carried. For the resolution declaring the intention to issue $19,000,000 in working cash bonds, Chad moved and a board member seconded; the roll call again recorded a majority Yes vote with Andrew voting No.

The board and staff repeatedly noted that passage of these resolutions does not itself raise taxes; bond issuance and final tax impacts would depend on subsequent actions and bond sale decisions, and any petition that meets legal requirements could require a public referendum.","The Effingham CUSD 40 Board approved two resolutions declaring the intention to issue bonds — $38 million for capital claims and $19 million for working cash — triggering a 30-day petition period during which district voters may file for a referendum.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parent urges board to reinstate eighth-grade commencement

Board approves MOU to expand 'flex' teacher positions from six to ten

Board tables major construction authorizations, approves small repairs and budget amendments

Effingham Unit 40 board adopts bond resolutions; 30-day petition period begins