Altamont Board Members Hear About Technical High School for County

Officials continue discussing a career and technical high school for Effingham County.

The topic was broached at Saturday's work weekend meeting of the Altamont Board of Education. Altamont Community High School Principal Jerry Tkachuk and Altamont Unit 10 Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch discussed the possibility of such a school with their board members. There was a recent brainstorming session for the initiative, as well as a meeting of county superintendents and high school principals to discuss what the school might look like.

The impact such a school would have on existing high schools in the county is a consideration. The suggestion of a technical high school follows discussion of various vocational courses being offered or to be offered during the coming school year.

Altamont board members Saturday also authorized the issuance of G.O. bonds for life safety purposes, increasing the Working Cash Fund of the district to help finance improvements at Altamont Grade School. The Board also heard that a property owner is seeking to detach from the St. Elmo School District and annex to the Altamont School District. The matter will be decided at a hearing before the Regional Board of School Trustees on April 5.

Board members agreed to let a home-schooled student participate in fifth grade band during next school year; and agreed to pursue the addition of one and maybe two schools to the National Trail Conference. North Clay has already sought admission to the National Trail rather than the Midland Trail Conference. It was also agreed to continue a co-op with Altamont Lutheran Interparish School in junior high track for the coming two school years; fees were approved for next school year; and next year's school calendar was approved.

The Altamont board accepted Deb Schoenhoff's resignation as a school bus driver; and approved three coaches: Gary Ellis for high school boys track, Carol Hannah for high school girls track, and Megan Burrus as high school softball coach. Extra-curricular volunteers were approved, including John Hill and Doug Winters in high school girls softball, Clint Reardon and Matt Kuhns in grade school track, and Mr. Hannah in track at all levels. Five teachers were granted tenure, including Laurie Akeman, Emily Golden, Robin Elam, Carrie Schultz and Jenna Murray.