Altamont Board Acts on Personnel Items

Altamont school board members took action on several personnel items at this week's meeting.

The Board authorized Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch to post for a full-time school nurse, and accepted Laura Arney's irrevocable letter of retirement. The Board accepted letters of resignation from Jo Ellis as high school girls track coach and from Gary Ellis as high school boys track coach, and also accepted a letter of resignation from John Niebrugge as high school softball coach. Niebrugge led Altamont to a state softball championship this past spring.

The Altamont board adopted a resolution of intent to sell working cash fund bonds, approved a contract with Pepsi for beverage services, and authorized Fritchtnitch to seek bids to purchase two school buses. The Board also approved Altamont High School participation in the newly-formed Construction Trades Program, which will now be a one-year program to be offered at Effingham Junior High School, and set a tax levy hearing for their December meeting.

Altamont board members purchased a new high school gymnasium sound system from FTS Sound of Effingham; heard that an audit of the District's categorical programs showed the District overpaid $1,403 and will be reimbursed by the State; heard that more than 400 conferences were conducted by Altamont Grade School teachers and heard 74% of the parents who have a student with a failing grade call to fall conferences this year.

The Board heard that baseball field renovations are going well, including replacement of dugouts and new drainage. Former major leaguer John Patterson, who has Altamont ties, paid a surprise visit on October 30 to view the progress. Patterson helped finance the work. Fritchtnitch also reported that he and Susan Janz met with the Effingham Unit 40 Food Service Director to learn how EHS operates its ala carte process and see how they set up for serving students. Fritchtnitch also met with Altamont physician Dr. Robb Frost to discuss Altamont's curernt menu and calories based upon Federal guidelines. Frost provided assistance on options to provide for student athletes and their hunger needs to be ready for practices and games. A meeting is planned to discuss a possible snack area in the high school building for student athletes.