Altamont Board Hears About Scholastic Matters

Altamont school board members Monday heard from high school principal Jerry Tkachuk about proposed curriculum changes.

Tkachuk recommended the Board consider changes in graduation requirements that would be referred to the Parent Student Advisory Committee. As a result of changes in both course offerings and state standards, Tkachuk is recommending elimination of the World History requirement beginning with the 15-16 school year and eliminating the Speech requirement beginning with the 16-17 school year. 

Tkachuk also asked the Board to add an Economics class for the new semester. Following a closed session, the Board implemented the Economics class as of the 15-16 school year, approved a transition of World History from a graduation requirement to an elective course, and approved inclusion Speech into the English/Language Arts curriculum instead of as a stand-alone required course.

Altamont board members voted to sell $2.8 million in Life Safety bonds for school fire prevention and safety purposes, and $400,000 in Working Cash bonds to increase the Working Cash fund of the district.

Tkachuk reported that due to a change in the grading scale at the high school, 26 students failed a total of 54 classes in the first semester. He said under last year's grading scale, the number of students with failing grades would have been 80, and the number of classes would have totaled 190. Also, 147 students in 244 classes received an A this year instead of a B.

The rollout of the Chrome Books for use by students earlier this month was deemed a success, and Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch reported the District is pre-approved by the State for a $20,000 capital improvement grant. Fritchtnitch said he has to complete a survey on how the District plans to spend the money, and said the decision was to renovate the high school office. The work will inlcude removing asbestos tile, carpet and work stations, and replacing with tile in high traffic areas and seating area, as well as new carpet by the secretary workstation and a reconfiguration of the office.

Fritchtnitch also reported the District has received a little over $20,000 from Pepsi through their long-term agreement. Fritchtnitch, Tkachuk and Activity Director Todd Arnold met with a Nevco representative earlier this month and decided to purchase a digital player stat board and wireless controls for the high school gym, and a new scoreboard and controls for the baseball diamond. He also reported that the District is still seeking bids on a resurfacing of the track at Altamont Grade School.

The Altamont board also expelled a student for one calendar year for gross misconduct, employed Molly Hartke as junior high girls track coach, approved Connie Schultz and Chris Guse as volunteer assistant coaches for high school girls basketball, approved Clint Reardon as volunteer assistant coach for junior high boys track, discussed a request for funds from the Altamont Youth Sports Commission, and adopted a resolution in support of Vision 20/20 for Illinois education.