[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",5997094,"mediaKeyId","5853957-fa514abb91366a45a93334a566776035","parentId",5853957,"title","Board adopts policy updates, names IASB representative and committee assignments; drops technology committee","audioSeconds",836,"startMs",454000,"endMs",1290000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5853957-fa514abb91366a45a93334a566776035&start=454&end=1290","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5853957-fa514abb91366a45a93334a566776035/thumbnail_454000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5997094/Illinois/Board-adopts-policy-updates-names-IASB-representative-and-committee-assignments-drops-technology-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5997094-bad09b05626574cc830572de3d9093cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095364&Signature=LjpyVWQDEpjXANgvgD6uA5lchMj3n5WzX3grpAIeJsuW1MnBym-wbUhGkUlWltBVbM8Vq7FusMfvpnDQTOjg3p5Nm2RceWwbjqsXflZHY99nlJRjII0lUdkkSe0OsHwRQu42Lf3OMYMi5Sm0ruVmZ0WcfFOSXERwd0L9-OOVLDT6d~LQasF2fHczYjkSBowtircBYeohi2sCZaNOiOOdXfUkoGnrN5bGtOExOj86zeyj-F-njqOvlJJ7n3U8fdxUfJl2aEDqUDfuZFeD3i1g5j34Z~Fcdu9tynVBlQTyJKDuuD7jNNlHW4qKJlAEN4gnzUMLlo~j5n4AIiQLMrecpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Effingham CUSD 40 ","date","2025-08-12T11:37:45Z","article","The Effingham Unit 40 School Board approved a package of policy updates, named a representative to the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) governing board and set members for standing committees.
Policy adoption: The board approved final reading and adoption of multiple board policies as listed in the packet (policy numbers recited by staff). Board member Erica moved to adopt the listed policies and Board member Dasha seconded; the policies were approved by roll call.
IASB representative: Board members nominated and approved Jane to serve as the district's IASB governing board representative for the 2025–26 school year. The board described the representative's duties as notifying members of events, encouraging participation and reporting division meeting activity to the board.
Committee assignments and structure: The board confirmed committee assignments for Facilities and Transportation (Jane and Dasha, with Chad as alternate); Curriculum (Board Chair K. and Andrew Altman, with Jane as alternate); and HR/Athletics (Chad and Brandon, with Erica as alternate). Board members discussed dropping the technology committee; staff said technology updates will still be provided at regular meetings or on request and the board agreed to set committee meeting frequency (three per year, with additional meetings as needed).
Other items: The board received an annual intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Effingham Library for continuing library access for district employees; staff said the IGA provides library-card benefits for employees and requires no board action. The board also approved the hazardous bus-route resolution for 2025–26, the treasurer bond agreement (annual renewal, small premium increase), and designated several banks as authorized depositories/investment managers after those institutions provided required documents.
Formal motions: Policy adoption (motion by Erica, second Dasha) approved; Jane's appointment to the IASB governing board (motion by Chad, second Bridal) approved; committee assignments (motion by Andrew Altman, second Chad Thompson) approved; hazardous route resolution (motion by Andrew Altman, second Chad Thompson) approved; treasurer bond agreement (motion by Erica, second Dasha) approved; authorization of Midland States Bank, Diederich/Dietrich Bank, First Mid and First Financial as qualified depositories (motion by Erica, second Andrew Altman) approved.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Effingham Unit #40 Board of Education Meeting: August 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Effingham Unit 40 School Board adopted multiple policy updates, approved Jane as the IASB governing board representative, confirmed committee memberships for upcoming years and agreed to consider dropping the technology committee.","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},5997099,"Board approves $1,066,342.52 in bills, hears fund-balance report showing year-over-year declines",84,205000,289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5853957-fa514abb91366a45a93334a566776035&start=205&end=289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5853957-fa514abb91366a45a93334a566776035/thumbnail_205000.jpg","/articles/5997099/Illinois/Board-approves-106634252-in-bills-hears-fund-balance-report-showing-year-over-year-declines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5997099-cc26fbf4678f5777be12d8edb7c24333/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095364&Signature=nhfteUXaExlk~c5NPDsKNLNF0kPiCZFqot4SGZV5kY0lnDohAgJ01ev-RwzfzuYiExJGP7InEy7n6ryrxVOG3Rec78LpdCuE4BWEt24jzYpvIhsr-Rx8ch4m2DjSF8SGWwjlPMvSZ2VBEoFeqIH1CXkQIpYqmjMj~gm5Q7WVpOvBOWQh9GG03~sksMZGV3dtWu4JJZ-c34onAfBoYkXmx9PbywVAW1ylMoywIIvZ3lrn9hoY1EqPUSsxpKXZRLgBADt3dxd-IMXaauHZouFM5OtcKXWXkD7UnyV2z~MzmctDqj0p9S4yCtraC8LJ3EKiahziwJqicggrthFh2s0iWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Effingham Unit 40 School Board approved routine financial items including reimbursement to an impressed account and payment of bills totaling $1,066,342.52 after the district's finance staff presented a fund-balance update.
Finance staff apologized that visuals were not available because the budget is being loaded into new software and then reported figures: \"we're showing a 14 o 6% decrease over last year with a net fund balance of $17,698,891.90,\" the presenter said. Staff also reported a 13.65% decrease in operating funds with a net total of $16,440,681.27, and provided education fund revenue breakdowns: local revenue $307,252.12; state revenue $167,066.08; federal revenue $171,313.02.
Staff recommended \"to reimburse the impressed account in the amount of $441 and then the payment of bills in the amount of 1,066,342 dollars and 52 cents,\" and the board moved and approved the payment. Board member Andrew moved the motion; Board member Erica seconded. The motion passed by roll call with all recorded votes in the affirmative.
Separately, the board approved the consent agenda (minutes and fundraisers) and accepted two sympathy correspondence items from Darlene Coffin and Melissa Habing.
","The board approved reimbursement of $441 to the impressed account and payment of $1,066,342.52 in bills; staff reported a roughly 14% drop in fund balance year over year and provided revenue detail for the education fund.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5997104,"Board allows sixth-grade boys to join junior-high baseball roster for 2025–26 with conditions",329,1303000,1632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5853957-fa514abb91366a45a93334a566776035&start=1303&end=1632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5853957-fa514abb91366a45a93334a566776035/thumbnail_1303000.jpg","/articles/5997104/Illinois/Board-allows-sixth-grade-boys-to-join-junior-high-baseball-roster-for-202526-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5997104-56ad7c0b853b5386ba6721a54a505a63/orig.mp4?Expires=1775058152&Signature=f6KZlbSFdjPCS8Rooep44dJuXhixVfax8H9CTZTtQgH5nsRf0GRyZvrrKquPBlWJDGIRmw5UGBrLDIeVXNmVIp4GWgd9T9EzhsWGlemn0soMrsGvD3ayGxa4syKW96xPDJL4hvVCNlOP8Jz2sb~zerBz0NcIu621J7U5zw95pIpfxCD0X6HNZ~AzxxkS5ftwfk6braC~r2g0B~qRjAuUWXRmLUli2CqYwCI6yo0peN5Xci7zPd8PCmHF5D8Z7QBG2YnVtZK5uZKH5q-gMP9eoAawduEqVzaFE5pusTgPgs0vcFIXUMlyxV2C-UUSa2KV3bf2ZqjoVR20BCkEdtK4Nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Effingham Unit 40 School Board voted to allow sixth-grade boys to participate in the junior-high baseball program for the 2025–26 school year because the district reported low seventh- and eighth-grade numbers.
District athletics staff and board members discussed concerns about sixth graders playing ahead of older players and the impact on program development. A district representative said he would not allow a sixth grader to replace a seventh or eighth grader on the roster and warned that if sixth graders were used to the detriment of older players he might seek further administrative action. \"I do not feel the sixth graders could be playing over a seventh or eighth grader,\" the presenter said, describing the importance of building the program from the bottom up.
The district said the immediate issue was roster size: if the seventh/eighth-grade roster fell below competitive levels, coaches might carry 10–12 sixth graders as a temporary measure so the team could travel. The district also said many sixth graders participate in other programs (JFL, cross country) and that the plan effectively creates a \"B\" team for development.
Formal action: Board member Chad Thompson moved to approve sixth-grade boys participating in the junior-high baseball program for the 2025–26 school year due to low numbers on the current seventh/eighth-grade roster; Board member Andrew Altman seconded. The board approved the motion by roll call.
Board direction: District staff will oversee the arrangement, set clear expectations for playing time so sixth graders do not supplant older players, and reassess participation next year.
","The board approved allowing sixth-grade boys to participate on the junior high baseball program this year because of low numbers on the seventh- and eighth-grade roster, with stipulations that they not replace older players and that the arrangement be reassessed next year.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5997109,"Effingham Unit 40 raises student and adult meal prices after pre-audit flags and staff free-lunch issue",449,1610000,2059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5853957-fa514abb91366a45a93334a566776035&start=1610&end=2059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5853957-fa514abb91366a45a93334a566776035/thumbnail_1610000.jpg","/articles/5997109/Illinois/Effingham-Unit-40-raises-student-and-adult-meal-prices-after-pre-audit-flags-and-staff-free-lunch-issue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5997109-fd4a972eee105a2b23398362b0ee23f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095364&Signature=ZnCPH9FB8JnpZoWftQDVFspiNbFFj8dXeFCKxQuRMqxwZN8EUCE8GrTDv7RYzhoFCZNW9oOg91OJerUFmGFx1CfrlT9T7-HEDLDOGPlL~5PyxooB8VnkQy~Jv2tJHa7A7nAICv6lic~tOIq7d9yCfqfIcjDHmUa-Cg2Dn4GTfAwElB6j2tp2m0chsa3XTHWAhMlsQ77VeNM3T78aV4p08N1j7MS3kCK8wsloV9qyrTih2laz-x4I9dQ4Af8cZdR13w-m0kWkbilhElGKf41VUrfGlZ6gAzaWdOG1IRSHxPhnsefUDUqziKbcdSlyKsL~JnskVyCgOMUyl4Ol~BRpOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Effingham Unit 40 School Board voted to raise student and adult meal prices for the 2025–26 school year after staff described a sustained food-service deficit and a pre-audit review that identified compliance issues.
District staff said they were contacted by \"ISB\" in the spring to review food-service operations and arranged a pre-audit. The pre-audit found problems related to reimbursements under the community eligibility/provision framework and flagged that providing free meals to staff is not permitted. The district sought legal counsel, and staff said they were told to \"cease and desist\" providing free meals to staff immediately. Staff said they will continue to allow cooks who prepare the meals to eat the food they prepare.
Finance staff described the proposed fee schedule and rationale at the board meeting. The board approved the following rates for 2025–26: K–8 lunches $3.40; grades 9–12 lunches $3.65; adult lunches $4.15 (adult lunch set at 50¢ above the highest student lunch); K–8 breakfast $2.90; grades 9–12 breakfast $3.00; adult breakfast $3.50; milk (per half pint) $0.40.
Finance staff acknowledged that the district had not raised prices annually as recommended and that failing to do so contributed to the deficit. The presenter said, \"We didn't raise the bridal, and you're supposed to raise in 10¢ every year actually. We didn't do that in the spring, so we went back. And I'm asking you to do that tonight.\" (verbatim excerpt appears in transcript; speaker identified as district staff.)
Board member Dasha moved to approve the food service fees; Chad Thompson seconded the motion. The board approved the fee schedule by roll call vote.
Board direction and next steps: Staff will pursue additional cost savings, work with larger purchasing cooperatives recommended during the review to reduce per-meal costs and may return to the board with further options. Staff also said families eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive benefits and that individuals with financial hardship can contact the district to seek assistance.
","The board approved new meal prices for 2025–26, ended staff free meals except for cooks, and said a pre-audit by ISB prompted the change.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5997114,"Effingham Unit 40 board adopts FY26 tentative budget showing education fund deficit, plans cuts",164,571000,735000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5853957-fa514abb91366a45a93334a566776035&start=571&end=735","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5853957-fa514abb91366a45a93334a566776035/thumbnail_571000.jpg","/articles/5997114/Illinois/Effingham-Unit-40-board-adopts-FY26-tentative-budget-showing-education-fund-deficit-plans-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5997114-0f24d442e6358f3a7ea30d3c6b464fe2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095364&Signature=YBgxBEJRSPmWoI9z82C~qRClYGYWg2SpnDDuu5chNGp614e3uH7EULvNr~1-cILVNCikDspAhET-eiKBNeIF1cpVmWNI7FUXXCTHGv5w3tZxtfcTh2CLKkHhfgNXC-d4Qw6QIQ~CJ0d~IUDqShIDUDea4hYNLPuqdSe5N5CbQdMTZO8cybZOReKuSKpaa8I6SJ6I3yBdFLB6CAjaCyLQ75iYSzzlPEf3LTHtJympBhpN7wa9cTTdR0z67wFXcySg6wFt96YvzXpFgTHD3nJewjfq3AqE0XmRC1XC1shWs4HnofUVPg4mmM4K2ntsg6VlRjB84rNk9ectpIjbDXDeyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Effingham Unit 40 School Board approved a tentative fiscal year 2026 budget after hearing staff describe projected deficits and contingency plans.
Finance director Ms. Baker and district official Mr. Johnson presented the tentative FY26 budget at the Aug. 11 board meeting and described revenue uncertainty tied to PPRT figures. \"This is tentative because at the time when I built it, I did not have PPRT numbers,\" Ms. Baker said.
Board members were told the education (Ed) fund shows a projected deficit of $730,975 in the proposed budget, driven by increased operating costs, a textbook adoption and step increases for certified and non-certified employees pending contract negotiations. Ms. Baker said the district has discussed cutting all areas by 10% or more and will update the budget after state revenue (PPRT) numbers are known.
The presentation included specific fund estimates: an ending fund balance of $9,308,719 in the Ed fund if every line is expensed; an operations and maintenance (O&M) projected gain of $370,346; a transportation gain of $227,618 that incorporates the purchase of nine buses ordered two years ago and expected to be delivered in January. Ms. Baker said, \"That is with the purchase of 9 buses that we ordered 2 years ago. So we do anticipate those to be delivered in January.\"
Ms. Baker said the district built contingencies and will post the tentative budget for a 30-day public review period and return to the board with revisions: \"The budget will be out for 30 days, and people can come review it. And then I do plan to make some changes before the next board meeting, and I'll highlight those.\"
Discussion: board members asked about staffing and longer-term effects. Ms. Baker said the district headcount fell from about 440 last year to 421 this year and reiterated that staff reductions and expense trimming are under consideration.
Formal action: Board member Chad Thompson moved to approve the FY26 tentative budget resolution; Board member Andrew Altman seconded. The board approved the resolution by roll call; all recorded votes were affirmative.
Next steps: The district will update the tentative budget with final PPRT figures and bring a revised budget to the board at a later meeting, after the 30-day public posting period.
","The Effingham Unit 40 School Board approved a tentative FY26 budget that includes a $730,975 deficit in the education fund, plans for at least 10% cuts across departments, and expects nine buses ordered two years ago to arrive in January.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts policy updates, names IASB representative and committee assignments; drops technology committee

Board approves $1,066,342.52 in bills, hears fund-balance report showing year-over-year declines

Board allows sixth-grade boys to join junior-high baseball roster for 2025–26 with conditions

Effingham Unit 40 raises student and adult meal prices after pre-audit flags and staff free-lunch issue

Effingham Unit 40 board adopts FY26 tentative budget showing education fund deficit, plans cuts