Altamont Schools Looking for Veterans Who Never Got a Diploma

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Published on January 12 2016 11:13 am
Last Updated on January 12 2016 11:13 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Wartime being what it was, many high school seniors during World War II, the Korean War and even during the Vietnam War were drafted into the military and never got the chance to participate in graduation exercises or even receive their diplomas.

Altamont Community High School is trying to rectify that situation.

Principal Jerry Tkachuk said he doesn't know how many people are out there who missed the chance to participate in graduation, but they'd like to hear from any former Altamont student who'd like the opportunity. He said the military credited the students with graduate status, but for some, that's not quite the same. Hence, this option.

Tkachuk said some veterans organizations have become interested in the project. He understands the opportunity covers a broad spectrum of years, from the 40s to the 70s, but he is glad to hear from whoever is eligible.

Tkachuk shared response to the initiative with the Altamont Board of Education at Monday night's meeting. He also shared results of changes in the grading scale designed to put Altamont students on a level playing field with students statewide.

Tkachuk reported that of 2,264 grades earned by ACHS students in the first semester, 2.2% were failures. Also, 202 grades that would've been recorded as "B" are now recorded as "A".

Altamont Grade School Principal Doug Hill reported that a committee is searching for upgraded Math curriculum proposals. Hill also shared that grade school enrollment is down 33 students from this time last year.

Altamont Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch recommended to the Board that the District stay with its current health care provider, due to a high loss experience. 

Fritchtnitch also shared that he and the principals met with Altamont resident Kathy Corder, who represents the estate of the late Dave and Dorothy Coslet. Corder presented the District checks in the amount of $27,804.86. Those are the last of the bequeathed funds from the Coslets. Fritchtnitch said the District is "blessed and thankful" to have received the funds.

In other items, the Altamont board adopted Board policy updates; approved a high school softball trip to Cookesville, Tennessee this spring; accepted the resignation of Melody Jenkins as of Monday; employed Mike Ziegler as assistant high school baseball coach; and approved maternity leaves for Jenifer Aldrich and Stacey Zerrusen.