The Effingham Board of Education approved a 2% pay raise for administrators at their Monday evening meeting. The pay raise will impact the superintendent, principles, assistant principals, the director of curriculum, financial manager, and the athletic director.
The roll-call vote passed by a 5-2 margin. After the vote, board member Steve Bone Clarified that he voted no for the raise due to the state’s financial situation, not because of the administration’s performance. Board member Jane Willenborg, who also voted no on the raise, cited the same reasons as Bone.
The 2% raise will cost the district $29,315 totaling $1,362,086 spend on administrator salaries for fiscal year 2017. Superintendent Mark Doan pointed out that since 2012, the district has reduced administrative costs by over $1 million. Additionally, administrator raises have been consistent with what the staff has been receiving for the last five years.
In other action, the board approved a SEPCO food bid from Kohl, a fuel bid from the Effingham Equity, and a baker bid from Bimbo Bakery. A measure was also passed to allow the administration to move forward with the bidding process for roof repairs at Effingham Junior High School.
During his report, Superintendent Mark Doan discussed the district’s current financial situation. Doan says that even though the district is making significant cuts to operating funds they are still in deficit in their Education Fund. The deficit is partially due to money owed to the district by the state.
The board also approved the hiring of Terry Lewis, as a Language Arts Teacher at EJHS, and Emily King, as Grade 5 at Central. They approved the resignations of Aaron Adams, a High School Assistant Football Coach, and Ed Minor, a Maintenance Worker.