Teutopolis School Board Acts on Career Academy Agreement

Teutopolis school board members Monday approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Effingham County public schools regarding shared classes with the Effingham Regional Career Academy.

The eventual plan is to build a regional academy next to the Lake Land College Kluthe Center in Effingham to house the classes. In the meantime, various school buildings throughout the county will be utilized to house the initial classes, and students from throughout the county interested in the classes may attend. The classes will be offered similar to Health Occupations or CEO, CTEC or the welding courses being offered.

Also Monday, the Teutopolis board agreed to a three-year contract to acquire electricity from Affordable Gas and Electric; adopted policy changes recommended by the Illinois Association of School Boards; discussed the budget for the coming fiscal year; and discussed a proposed Tax Increment Financing District for Teutopolis and its implications for the school district.

Board members approved a quote from Fieldworx for replacement of the Teutopolis Grade School phone system at a cost of $7,039. The price includes a one-year service agreement, but the District plans to negotiate for a two- or three-year service agreement. The Board also approved a payment for workers compensation insurance coverage, and discussed charges for the Health Occupations class. District officials plan to research and collect more information as to how area schools charge for the class, with more information to be shared at the August meeting.

In personnel moves, the Teutopolis board approved resignations from Jenni Dittamore as a grade school teacher, Casey Repking as grade school secretary, Sallie Hanson as high school girls golf coach, and Libbie Pruemer as junior high part time cook. The Board also accepted a voluntary reduction in hours from grade school aide Kathy Ruholl to 3-1/4 hours a day.

Several hirings were approved, including Bobby Brummer as high school assistant soccer coach, Taylor Shannon as high school girls golf coach, Barb Weber as grade school secretary, Elizabeth Walker as high school softball assistant coach, Myra Pruemer as part time unit office assistant, Whitney Kroeger-Ritchhart as a fifth grade teacher, and Kendra Dye as high school girls volleyball assistant coach. It was also agreed to advertise for a high school girls tennis assistant coach, and the Board agreed to adjust the pay of building secretaries effective with the first day of the new school year.