Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The following press releases come from Effingham Unit #40 Schools:
Dear Unit #40 Family (Sunday Evening Press Release):
On Friday, February 4th, 2022, the Sangamon County Circuit Court granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) affecting certain school districts and specific individuals in those districts. The TRO temporarily suspended enforcement of mask mandates for students and exclusion for asymptomatic close contacts. Due to a separate ruling from the same court denied class action status which limits the scope of the litigation, the TRO applies only to the parities of the lawsuit. Effingham Unit #40 was not a party to that case, and therefore the TRO does not apply to our District.
Since the beginning of the school year Unit #40 has been committed to maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for our students and staff. The District has been consistent in following ISBE directives and has navigated the COVID situation because of everyone working together. In furtherance of that commitment and because Unit #40 is not a party to the pending litigation, Unit #40 is maintaining its COVID-19 mitigation measures and protocols.
Unit #40 schools will continue to require that students/staff follow the mitigations that were in place last week: masks required, continuation of weekly testing, and exclusion of individuals who are close contacts. Please appreciate that there are students and staff that may have specific health issues who need COVID mitigations in place to be able to come to work/school safely.
Unit #40 remains committed to educating students and creating the best learning environment for our teachers to teach and our students to learn. Please provide patience and grace as we continue to work through the challenges of this decision.
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(Monday Press Release)
To provide a follow-up to the information contained in Sunday evening’s press release, we know that there are strong feelings on both sides of these issues, and we ask for your patience.
The recent TRO handed down last Friday in Sangamon County is being appealed to the 4th Appellate Court, and a decision is expected in the next two weeks. The decision to keep status quo in Unit #40, continuing the policies in place as of last week, allows time for more direction to come from the courts. Currently, the District is keeping all options open moving forward. When that final court decision occurs, the District will then either revise or reaffirm its mitigation plans.
This situation can be confusing. Effingham Unit #40 was not a party to the case ruled upon last week in Sangamon County; therefore, the recent TRO does not apply to our District. However, the final decision by the appeals court may impact the way that all Illinois schools view and enforce mitigation strategies. Currently, the recent TRO that is being appealed to the 4th Appellate Court contains two issues:
- A decision from the Appellate Court on a “stay” (put on hold) for the TRO is expected within the next couple of days.
- A final decision from the Appellate Court regarding an appeal from the Governor’s office on the TRO itself is expected in the next two weeks.
While all of this works its way through the appeals court and creates a clearer picture for schools, we ask that you support our students, staff, and teachers in maintaining a positive learning environment by exhibiting patience and grace as we continue to work through the challenges of this decision.
Thank you.
Mark Doan, Effingham Unit #40 Superintendent
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