[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6188975,"mediaKeyId","5059638-29c2c1690d203390174a021664c2aaa2","parentId",5059638,"title","Board approves HLS amendment for Southside Elementary, tables guaranteed-maximum-price and related design amendment; extends mobile classroom lease and approves","audioSeconds",721,"startMs",4989000,"endMs",5710000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5059638-29c2c1690d203390174a021664c2aaa2&start=4989&end=5710","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5059638-29c2c1690d203390174a021664c2aaa2/thumbnail_4989000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6188975/Illinois/Board-approves-HLS-amendment-for-Southside-Elementary-tables-guaranteed-maximum-price-and-related-design-amendment-extends-mobile-classroom-lease-and-approves","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188975-9fea4d240cead35a9d0be3663f830780/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140340&Signature=aY2Y9CJRfwOEFIN1sT4UFnIJYbWkYsHpDFg~pDcStfZVvBVXKrtRSlKcguGsAlfqfyPZ4GjgJ1HkKY1zYomNaRUYLtQSc2qyLQ8q9InXEcFkKEYCckLWYeIm~diHzXS4Th2xsKsTeLGMpRrfilMAmd4R2JUSgkIpE4l0JxHpqBNsfWUKv-hatxwiuZ2wX7gWNQR509EgtXedu~MqwWC~KLLejFRtbe4qzPeHtsfM~IdFAUOJTrhpQIOJ5pQB6FDmwyrZjXXhYih0rqDCwZtLtf~dc-dNWi7vrtWHxX1AAhNN-v7p4k44SRtUMe-cIqUcHkeulmvEOlNhCTtEKlQFsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Effingham CUSD 40","date","2025-06-24T13:07:53Z","article","The Effingham CUSD 40 Board of Education on June 23 approved a Health-Life-Safety (HLS) amendment for Southside Elementary and took interim procurement actions while tabling related construction agreements.

The board approved the HLS amendment, which the administration estimated would make about $360,000 of the Southside project eligible for HLS funding through the Regional Office of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education. Superintendent Johnson described HLS approval as a necessary procedural step to allow use of HLS funds for leak and safety-related work.

Superintendent Johnson told the board that the overall package for the Southside work (masonry restoration, waterproofing, plumbing and an asphalt parking/drive area) had a total construction estimate of about $782,000. He said roughly $360,000 of that amount could be approved for HLS reimbursement if the state approves the amendment, which the district will submit for ROE and ISBE review.

The board tabled the guaranteed-maximum-price agreement with Holland Construction for the full Southside project to allow more follow-up. The administration also asked to table the amendment to the professional-services agreement that would define full design and scope for the waterproofing work, again to allow additional review and to confirm whether rebidding would be needed for specific sitework if the board removed the asphalt element.

Board members and staff discussed sequencing: the administration recommended approving the HLS amendment now so the district could pursue state approval for the HLS-eligible portion while the board and staff gather further information about bidding, storm-sewer work, and parking scope. The superintendent said the asphalt bid from Cabas (the only asphalt bid received) was for $361,459 and that the city had required additional parking tied to placing mobile classrooms on the site.

Separately, the board approved a three-year extension of the district's mobile-classroom agreement with Mobile Modular (the district is replacing a previously approved two-year term with a three-year term at the same monthly rate). The administration said the extension was sought to avoid immediate displacement of classroom capacity while the district resolves long-term facility decisions; the monthly contract cost was listed as $8,505.

The board also approved several routine procurement items included in the meeting packet:

- FY25 amended budget adoption and related financial approvals (separate motions recorded in meeting minutes).
- Cafeteria and food-service vendor awards for the 2025-26 school year: dairy to Prairie Farms, bakery to Alpha Bakeries, pizza to Domino's, grocery bid to Kohl's (as listed in the packet).
- Insurance renewals for property, casualty, cyber and workers' compensation at a combined cost of $520,318 for fiscal year 2025-26.

What this means: Approving the HLS amendment starts the state review process for HLS-eligible work at Southside, while tabling the GMP and design amendment gives the board time to resolve questions about bidding and project scope (particularly whether to proceed with asphalt or alternative surfacing). Extending the mobile-classroom contract preserves classroom capacity while those decisions are made.

The board voted to move the HLS amendment forward and to table the GMP and related professional-services amendment; it approved the mobile-classroom extension and the procurement items listed above. The board closed the regular business meeting and entered closed session on personnel, litigation and collective-bargaining matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Effingham Unit #40 Board of Education Meeting: June 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Effingham CUSD 40 Board of Education on June 23 approved a Health-Life-Safety amendment for Southside Elementary and tabled a guaranteed-maximum-price agreement and a related professional-services amendment while it seeks additional information on bidding and scope.","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},6188978,"Petition drive delivers more than 5,600 signatures; Effingham CUSD 40 board weighs rescinding bond resolution or placing propositions on ballot",410,699000,1109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5059638-29c2c1690d203390174a021664c2aaa2&start=699&end=1109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5059638-29c2c1690d203390174a021664c2aaa2/thumbnail_699000.jpg","/articles/6188978/Illinois/Petition-drive-delivers-more-than-5600-signatures-Effingham-CUSD-40-board-weighs-rescinding-bond-resolution-or-placing-propositions-on-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188978-cf6ac33a3fbff0753a3e71dc1e41b806/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140340&Signature=JfZyNtODKAt4veYG4XGRpGjUPOaTPFHFMQLVGhHwbncnsxvg8a8uEc~HxEhs67dYpRKqBxUKuV9zMl~mr6aGXMaYZmd1tx-3E9UeIqnJbm7rfEuMkNTCmbo0j5BC7gsIXj44uEOfircixHDFuxmHahbqHfrwsUdE30HHajy~nDxx3U1aiR-MQ9kom9A744Nt3Au4Zar2pFQCBNC7XiIGVHWcxYPu-6ETB1hoC5SGf9NOgvFbXj5giKYgLqsWOHMAtprvGHnGBo1TabVyqu4tdDbwXNLeT0MXKs-Fv9qIslptZ9mwW1o0RZeVC93sg6aztceiQziGnY~-5RDfaRZT9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two petitions seeking to put the district\u000bond proposals before voters were presented to the Effingham CUSD 40 Board of Education during a public hearing on June 23, 2025, district staff said.

The petitions contained 2,814 and 2,855 signatures, respectively, a staff member told the board. Those documents were received by the district on June 23, 2025, and \"have been through a fine-tooth comb,\" the staff member said.

The petitions trigger a five-business-day objection period during which community members may challenge the filings, a district official said. \"We have to follow through if they do,\" the staff member added.

Why it matters: The board in May took initial steps toward issuing bonds to finance facility improvements and published required notices. If the petitions withstand any objections, the board must either place bond questions on a future ballot or rescind the earlier resolution and abandon the bond effort. Either choice would shape how the district pays for building and maintenance needs and whether voters decide the issue.

Superintendent Johnson, addressing the meeting, explained the board\u000faces two primary options after the petitions were received: rescind the May 19 resolution and pay off related debt certificates so the proposals die, or move forward by submitting bond propositions to voters at an upcoming election. \"I would not encourage [placing propositions on the ballot] based on the information that you've provided here,\" the superintendent said, urging consideration of rescinding the resolution.

Board and staff described a likely five-day formal review period followed by the possibility of a special board meeting to act. The superintendent said that if the board chose to rescind the May resolution, the district would arrange to have debt certificates paid off to stop additional interest accrual.

During the public-comment period, petition organizers and multiple residents urged the board to heed the petitions as evidence of community concern about tax increases and communication. Speakers expressed mistrust of how past capital projects and communications were handled, questioned projected property tax effects, and suggested alternative approaches including further community education, targeted fundraising, and internal budget adjustments. One commenter suggested a forensic audit; others requested clearer, itemized budget materials and a district-consolidated plan for facilities and maintenance.

Board members and staff reiterated that the district will evaluate next steps after the five-business-day objection window. The board publicly acknowledged receipt of the petitions and said it will consider, at an upcoming meeting, whether to submit propositions to voters or abandon the bond plan and pursue other financing methods.

The board adjourned the bond hearing after public comment. The hearing record shows the petitions were accepted and the board identified the five-day objection period as the next procedural milestone.","Two citizen petitions with 2,814 and 2,855 signatures were submitted to Effingham CUSD 40 seeking to put proposed facility bond propositions before voters. District and board leaders described a five-business-day objection period and said a special meeting could be called to rescind the May resolution or to move propositions to the ballot.","actionData","errors"]

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Board approves HLS amendment for Southside Elementary, tables guaranteed-maximum-price and related design amendment; extends mobile classroom lease and approves

Petition drive delivers more than 5,600 signatures; Effingham CUSD 40 board weighs rescinding bond resolution or placing propositions on ballot