Property purchase allows for flexibility for school district [Effingham Daily News, Ill.]

June 20--NEWTON -- While the Jasper County Unit 1 Board of Education voted Monday to buy a home adjacent to Newton Elementary School, Superintendent Dan Cox said Tuesday the only immediate plans for the lot are to tear down the house that presently sits there.

The board voted to pay $99,000 for the lot at 209 Maxwell St. Cox said the purchase gives the district flexibility in case officials feel playground expansion is needed.

"It's not uncommon for school districts to buy adjacent properties when they become available," Cox said. "This gives us flexibility for future growth."

In other action Monday, the board agreed to renew its property, casualty and liability insurance with Ramza Insurance/Selective Insurance and North Wayne Insurance/Workers Compensation Self Insurance Trust for $209,526.

The board accepted the retirements of executive secretary Susan Ikemire, special education aide Sharon Ghast and bus driver Sandra Zumbahlen, all effective Dec. 31.

The board also accepted the resignations of junior high basketball coach Brad Harris and assistant high school girls basketball and volleyball coach Stefani Beverlin. Harris is taking over as the head high school girls basketball coach.

Also Monday, the board agreed to hire Danielle Hundley as an elementary school teacher and William Sanguinetti as a technology support specialist.

___

(c)2012 the Effingham Daily News (Effingham, Ill.)

Visit the Effingham Daily News (Effingham, Ill.) at www.effinghamdailynews.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services