Altamont Board, Teachers Approve Three-Year Contract

Altamont school board members and teachers have reached agreement on a three-year contract.

The Board ratified the contract proposal Monday night, after members of the Altamont Education Association approved the agreement last Thursday.

Altamont Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch said the Board and the teachers plan to release a joint statement on the agreement either later today or on Wednesday morning.

Altamont reached agreement a year ago on a one-year contract on the deadline day for a strike to begin.

In personnel moves, the Altamont board accepted the resignation of Nikki Worman as cross country coach, approved Carmen Probst as volunteer assistant coach for junior high cheerleading, and employed Sara Berg as district band director.  Berg currently teaches and directs in the Vandalia district.  A Ramsey native, she and her husband live on a farm near Brownstown.  Current band director Scott Gercken submitted his resignation at the Board's February meeting as of the end of the school year.

The Board approved a district phone system upgrade; purchased a utility tractor from Sloan Implement; approved an amended budget for the coming fiscal year; and heard additional information on expanded manufacturing instruction opportunities for students in the Altamont district and throughout the county.

The Altamont board also recognized the district's Envirothon Team that took third place in state level competition April 30 and May 1, the first time the team has placed at the state level.