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

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.