Altamont School Board Discusses Facilities Tax

The possibility of a vote on a County Facilities Tax in Effingham County was mentioned at Monday night's Altamont School Board meeting.

Altamont Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch said superintendents of the school districts in the county will be meeting to discuss the matter. Fritchtnitch said he is requesting the issue appear on the Altamont board's January agenda for adoption. The deadline to place referenda on the April election ballot is in January.

The 1% sales tax would produce revenue that could be used on construction and renovation of district facilities.

On another front, the Altamont board heard from high school principal Jerry Tkachuk about a meeting with all principals and counselors from county schools. The meeting last week was held to discuss logistics and class offerings and times for next year's launch of the Effingham Area Career Academy. The plan is to offer a limited number of courses at specific locations with provision made for students from all participating districts to travel to those locations to take the courses. A similar meeting was held with Lake Land College officials since the Career Academy will have involvement with the college. The eventual plan is to build a facility at the Lake Land Kluthe Center in Effingham to offer the Academy courses.

Tkachuk also reported on discussions with Eastern Illinois University about possibly adding courses to Altamont's Dual Credit list.

Altamont board members heard from Marlene Perkins and Ag Business and Hortculture students regarding updates to the district greenhouse. Maintenance Director Alan Whitt has been working with Perkins on greenhouse issues. Whitt found items in and around the facility that need addressed. He's working with Richard Seidel to assure that all electrical components are properly placed. Work is still needed on a gas line from the bus garage.

The Altamont board also discussed resurfacing of the parking lot at the high school.

In personnel matters, the Altamont board approved the resignation of Technology Assistant Tim Torbeck, employed Jane Burrell and Jessica Scholes as cooks and Amanda Tonn as a substitute cook, named Laith Russell the 7th grade girls volleyball coach, and approved five high school volleyball players as volunteers to assist with junior high volleyball. 

The Board approved the tax levy; approved policies for first reading; and approved workers' compensation insurance coverage.