Illinois / School Boards / Effingham CUSD 40
The Effingham CUSD 40 board voted to keep closed-session minutes closed and destroy recordings made before July 2024, approved the personnel list, and authorized a memorandum of understanding to add a bass‑fishing extracurricular at EJHS for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 school years with expenses shared by the sports backers for two years.
Illinois / School Boards / Effingham CUSD 40
Central Grade School principals reported winter NWEA MAP results showing schoolwide winter math 85.49% and reading 83.52% (grades 3–5), described RTI supports (Lexia, IXL, small groups) and outlined PTO-funded enrichment and STEM activities.
Illinois / School Boards / Effingham CUSD 40
The Effingham CUSD 40 Board approved a district Artificial Intelligence plan to begin with the 2026–27 school year, outlining teacher-led use for younger students, restrictions on AI for final grading, an approval process for new tools and privacy safeguards referencing SOPA, FERPA and COPPA.
Illinois / School Boards / Effingham CUSD 40
Board heard a financial report showing a 5.37% increase in fund balance to $31,855,199.05 and operating funds up 2.59% to $26,904,753.65; motions to reimburse an impressed account and pay $251,399.38 in bills, and to approve the consent agenda (including an Arrow Pest Control contract), were approved by the board.
Illinois / School Boards / Effingham CUSD 40
BLD Architects presented the districts 10-year Health Life Safety survey, identifying asbestos-containing mastic beneath the junior-high gym floor that would require full abatement (estimated roughly $1.2 million) and other facility needs including masonry, missing fire devices and potential HVAC replacements. The board will approve the report and pursue state HLS funding.
Illinois / School Boards / Effingham CUSD 40
The Effingham CUSD 40 board adopted the 2025 tax levy (presented as a slight rate decrease), approved the monthly financial report and payment of bills, adopted several policy updates, and authorized a maintenance-grant application for a perimeter fence at Southside Elementary (estimated $80,000–$105,000). Board entered closed session on personnel matters.
Illinois / School Boards / Effingham CUSD 40
Auditor Doug presented a cash-basis FY2025 financial audit showing no findings in the financial statement audit, a roughly $3.2 million operating shortfall driven by health-insurance timing and the end of ESSER funds, and noted the federal single-audit remains pending until OMB publishes guidance.
Illinois / School Boards / Effingham CUSD 40
Effingham Unit 40 authorized borrowing $1,394,109 from Midland States Bank (lease-to-buy) to finance nine buses ordered over two years ago; Andrew D. Johnson authorized to sign loan documents as treasurer.
Illinois / School Boards / Effingham CUSD 40
The board approved an agreement for Effingham Unit 40 to act as fiscal/administrative agent for the ERCF/Core Academy, a career-focused program run in partnership with 16 districts and Lakeland College; Unit 40 will be reimbursed for administrative costs and the arrangement is expected to start mid‑January.
Illinois / School Boards / Effingham CUSD 40
A resident raised concerns about a social media post by a district library clerk that he said celebrated the death of commentator Charlie Kirk; the board read a written statement citing First Amendment protections and said it had consulted legal counsel. No disciplinary action was announced.