Dieterich Board Approves Deficit Budget

Dieterich school board members Monday approved a deficit budget.

The measure calls for spending $390,000 more than is anticipated in revenue. Superintendent Cary Jackson noted that the State has cut General State Aid by 11% over the past few years and that, if State Aid were fully funded, the district would have a balanced budget.

Board members approved district participation in the Effingham County Construction Occupations Program, pending full funding by sources other than the school district. The program is scheduled to begin in August 2015. An informational meeting for the public is scheduled later this month.

Dieterich board members addressed the financial aspects of the long distance learning lab currently hosted at Dieterich High School. The Board approved a memorandum of agreement that establishes a teacher stipend for any teacher hosting a long distance learning lab in their classroom, and approved a $500 per section fee for guest schools who use a long distance lab hosted by Dieterich High School. Dieterich has been working with the Beecher City and Brownstown districts on long distance learning.

Also Monday, after discussing the current parking situation at Dieterich Elementary School, the board approved the addition of a handcapped-accessible parking spot in the current visitor parking area, and the Board approved Danny Tague as the district's representative to the state school board convention in November.

Elementary Principal Kathy Pattenaude reported on the success of Grandparents Day, Open House and Book Fair; Pattenaude and Junior-Senior High School Principal Kevin Haarman presented data that showed 269 students in grades Pre-K to 6 and 190 students in grades 7-12; and Haarman spoke about assistance planned from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to help students with college and career education and preparation.

The Board discussed a parent request to add junior high softball, but no action was taken and discussed a proposal to build an indoor batting cage and weight room on school grounds. The proposal indicated that labor would be donated, but the District would be responsible for materials. No action was taken on the issue. Haarman also discussed a proposal from Old Mac's Drive-Thru and Cafe in Dieterich to offer lunch specials for purchase by students and staff members and then approved the proposal.

In personnel moves, the Dieterich board hired Russ Sehy as junior high boys basketball head coach; accepted the retirement letter from teacher Racelle Cekander at the end of the 2016-17 school year; and granted a pay raise to reflect the additional duties of the Unit Secretary, Junior-Senior High School Secretary and Elementary Secretary. Those three positions will be taking on additional responsibilities in an effort to save the District money due to a recent retirement. The Board also approved an early graduation request from a student.