Altamont Board Recaps Start of School Year

Altamont school board members Monday heard from district administrators about the recent start of the school year.

Grade school principal Doug Hill said the additional section of third grade at his building was up and running. Hill welcomed Kacy Perry who is teaching that section of third graders.

Hill also reported that the Love and Logic Parenting class sessions would begin on October 8. Registrations will be received through October 1.

High school principal Jerry Tkachuk said teachers are focusing on student growth and setting benchmarks for student achievement. He said students are focusing on their learning and are finding ways to meet the "Who's Next?" Challenge issued at the start of the school year.

Tkachuk said he is also tracking student failures and instructing teachers to contact parents of any student who is receiving a grade of D- or lower. He said failing grades have been reduced almost in half thanks to a new grading scale. He also said Altamont will be starting the Curriculum Co-Op group with a meeting Thursday in St. Elmo. The plan this year is to focus on student achievement and assessment.

Tkachuk said Mrs. Elam would be meeting with all seniors individually this Friday. She will be checking to see what they need as they apply for college, scholarships, and what other interests they may have where she can offer assistance. He also reminded the Second Manufacturing Day in Effingham County will be Friday, October 3. They anticipate 40 Altamont students attending. It's a day that allows students to visit two manufacturing plants in Effingham County to learn about possible employment.

Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch had good financial news. Fritchtnitch said Altamont alumnus and former Atlanta Braves baseball player John Patterson and his wife, through their foundation, The Silicon Valley Community Foundation, is donating $7,000 toward the high school baseball backstop renovation, and was notified by State Representative John Cavaletto that the Altamont school district will be awarded $20,000 for capital improvements. Fritchtnitch said he should be getting a call from the State as to how and when the district can use the funds.

Fritchtnitch said he has met with the district's IT staff members regarding the Chromebook ordering, financing and rollout. They are currently testing the systems with some students and also at the grade school with MAPS testing. He anticipates placing the order in October for November delivery, December set-up and January rollout.

In personnel moves, the Altamont board accepted the resignation of Kathy Vaughn as girls high school basketball assistant coach, employed Laurie Graves as one-to-one aide, hired Kacy Perry as a third grade teacher, employed Steve Long as 7th grade girls basketball coach and girls high school assistant basketball coach, hired Cole Borders as frosh/soph boys basketball coach, approved Leigh Ann Stuckemeyer as volunteer swim coach, and accepted irrevocable letters of intent to retire from Ellen Walk and Charles Niehaus.

The Altamont board also granted a request for early graduation from a student.