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Petition drive delivers more than 5,600 signatures; Effingham CUSD 40 board weighs rescinding bond resolution or placing propositions on ballot
Summary
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.
Two petitions seeking to put the district—ond 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—aces 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.
