Superintendent's Message

As Superintendent of Effingham Unit 40, I want to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back and thank all of you, our staff, students, families, and community members, for the continued support and partnership that makes our district such a special place to learn and grow.

The start of a new school year is always full of possibility, and once again, I am reminded of the incredible things that can happen when people come together with a shared purpose: doing what is best for our children. Whether you’re in a classroom, on a bus, behind the scenes in a support role, or cheering from the sidelines, your contributions matter, and they are felt every day.

This year, I continue to encourage everyone in our district to “Be Intentional”—with your time, your energy, your words, and your actions. Intentional effort leads to meaningful progress, and our students are watching and learning from all of us.

We are entering this year with strong momentum thanks to the hard work and dedication of our entire school community: our teachers, aides, custodians, nurses, drivers, cafeteria staff, secretaries, administrators, and volunteers. Our board of education continues to provide steady leadership and thoughtful governance, and our families and community partners have consistently shown up to support and strengthen our mission.

As of today, we are proud to be serving over 2,200 students across our six school buildings. From our youngest learners at Little Hearts and East Side Preschool to our seniors preparing for graduation at Effingham High School, our focus remains on supporting every student’s academic growth and personal development.

This year, the Unit 40 Board of Education continues to guide our work with a commitment to excellence and transparency. We’re grateful for the time and service our board members dedicate to ensuring a bright future for our students and staff.

As always, I thank each of you for your partnership and commitment to public education. Let’s make this a year defined by teamwork, progress, and purpose. When we work together, we make great things happen—for our schools, and most importantly, for our students.

Here’s to a successful and rewarding school year ahead!

Sincerely,
Andrew Johnson
Superintendent, Effingham Unit 40