The Effingham CUSD 40 board voted to approve an agreement for the district to serve as the administrative fiscal agent for the Ethical Regional Career Foundation (ERCF) Core Academy.

Norma Lansing, an ERCF board member, told the board the Core Academy (creating opportunities for regional employment) is a career-focused curriculum developed with 16 regional districts and Lakeland College that offers dual-credit options and career exposure for students. Eastern Illinois Education for Employment System previously served as fiscal agent but has stepped away; the agreement before the board designates Unit 40 to handle legal and fiduciary responsibilities and to reimburse the district for administrative expenses.

"We have identified a director that we would like to hire," Lansing said, adding that hiring the director within the education system allows that person to maintain TRS retirement benefits. Lansing said the district would not assume a financial burden and that Unit 40 would be reimbursed for its administrative fee.

Board members described the approach as common practice for regional career centers and asked staff to work through fund and accounting details; administrators noted it will likely be set up in a separate fund similar to current arrangements with other programs. The board approved the agreement by roll call. The anticipated effective date was discussed as mid‑January.