Teutopolis Board Sets Pay Rates

Now that contract negotiations are concluded, the Teutopolis Board of Education Monday night set pay rates for non-union district employees.

The Board set the pay for school secretaries at a step increase retroactive to January 1, 2014 and, if they remain employed, set another step increase effective January 1, 2015. Board members also granted the Transportation Director, Technology Coordinator, and Unit office staff members at a 1.5% increase over their current rate of pay, retroactive to July 1, 2013.

In personnel moves, the Teutopolis Board approved a resignation from Amanda Hazlett as lunch room helper at the grade school and from Linda Kreke as a five-hour cook. The Board hired Ron Cowman as junior high assistant softball coach, Lewis Martin as high school boys golf coach, and Whitney Pruemer as high school co-cheer sponsor. Judy Martin's retirement as a teacher aide was accepted, and the Board agreed to advertise for a five-hour cook at the high school and a two-hour cook at the grade school on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Board members agreed to continue to participate in the School Resource Officer program for the coming school year at a rate of $8/student for a total cost of $8,536, and approved a final payment for security work at the high school, which will allow the District to have a locked-door policy in place at the start of the school year.

Also Monday, the Teutopolis board approved an amended budget for the current fiscal year; appointed Superintendent Bill Fritcher as the District's representative on the new Joint Review Board for the Tax Increment Financing District being established on the Village of Teutopolis' west side; and appointed board member Jim Buhnerkempe to the District's Technology Committee. The Board reviewed and discussed a technology audit recently done and the steps needed to be taken to move forward with the plan. It was also decided to advertise for a Technology Support position.  

Board members approved allowing the Effingham Sears store to place signs on district property at Teutopolis Junior High School and make announcements promoting Sears during events at the school; and heard reports on building activities, college attendance statistics, and the latest on establishment of a Construction Skills class at Effingham High School.