Dieterich Board Accepts Resignations from Staser, VanScyoc

Major changes face the Dieterich athletic program after the resignations of two head coaches were accepted by the school board Monday night.

One was anticipated; Jamie VanScyoc resigned as head baseball coach, as well as PE, Driver's Ed, and Health teacher as of the end of the school year. VanScyoc earlier was hired to serve as boys basketball coach, athletic director and teacher by the South Central School District, his alma mater. VanScyoc will succeed Rick Simmons, who is retiring at the end of this school year.

The other resignation was that of boys varsity basketball coach Jeff Staser, who indicated his resignation is to pursue a business opportunity that would put time constraints on his coaching duties at Dieterich High School. Staser leaves Dieterich with a four-year coaching record of 97-26.

Dieterich Boys Basketball Coach Jeff Staser (left) talks with us during the 2016 NTC Tournament

In both cases, the Dieterich Board thanked the men for the service they have provided to the District.

Also Monday night, the Dieterich Board approved a letter of support for a 12-year extension of Dieterich TIF District #1, as was requested by the Dieterich Village Board. The Board also chose to increase breakfast and lunch prices to maintain Federal Lunch Program equity, but did not increase any other fees for next year.

The Board approved technology upgrades for 2016-17. The District will be upgrading 28 machines in one computer lab, as well as adding another mobile Chromebook lab. With the additional mobile lab, the teachers and students will now have access to three mobile labs that contain 70 Chromebooks.

The Board also reviewed the Dieterich Unit 30 Teacher Evaluation Plan. The plan is newly-developed and will be implemented this fall. A committee of teachers Rachelle Cekander, Diane Ogden and Devin McManaway and administrators Kevin Haarman, Kathy Pattenaude and Cary Jackson worked together to develop the plan that will include student growth as a significant portion of the teacher evaluation. The plan will consist of 50% professional practice and 50% student growth. 

The Board also appointed Mike Winters and Dan Shadle as members of the Negotiations Committee. Diane Aherin will serve as the alternate. Contract negotiations between the District and the Dieterich Education Association will begin this spring as the current contract will expire on June 30.