Teutopolis School Board Wants More Input on Locker Room/Restroom Project at THS

The Teutopolis Board of Education heard favorable comments regarding a renovation of restrooms and locker rooms at the high school building during a special meeting Tuesday evening, but they'd like more input.

The Board Thursday asked for input from coaches, PE teachers and Athletic Director Laurie Thompson before they reach a decision on the work. In the meantime, a special Board meeting has been scheduled for June 3. The school board hopes to fill a vacancy on the Board at that meeting and possibly decide on hiring their architect to draw up specs and bids on the locker room and restroom work that would be bid as an alternate to the Phase 2 project.

Meanwhile, progress has been delayed on Phase 1 work due to the rainy weather, but the contractor indicated once it's dry enough they can get caught up and the anticipated mid-December completion date still looks achievable. 

The Board agreed to establish an insurance committee to look into health care coverage. Premiums are going up 10% this year, so the district will begin shopping.

Board members learned the Teutopolis Lions Club has contributed $4,500 for replacement bleachers for track and soccer events at the Teutopolis Junior High School field. Superintendent Bill Fritcher and Junior High Principal Pat Drees will discuss how to proceed on the replacement work.

In personnel matters, the Teutopolis board accepted resignations from Kendra Dye as JV high school volleyball coach and from Sue Borries, who has decided to retire as a teacher at the end of the current school year instead of waiting until next year.

The Board hired Ciara Roepke as a D.O. Aide at the grade school and named Melinda Bloemer as head cook at the grade school. They also voted to add a junior high Scholar Bowl assistant coach and a high school Science Club.

The Board also from a representative of Nevco, the company that has supplied scoreboards for years, about placing a video board in J.H. Griffin Gym. Some board members are leery of going back to advertisers for video board support after they just added video ads at the scorer's table this past year, but the matter will be revisited at the regular June meeting.

Board members decided against a power purchase agreement with Affordable Gas and Electric since the profitability of the agreement couldn't be documented. Leon Gobczynski voted to go ahead with the agreement since he feels it would be a step toward sustainable energy, but the question failed 5-1.

The Board discussed non-resident tuition waiver for children of district teachers who live outside the district. Board members indicated they are supportive of the idea, so Fritcher will get started on the paperwork needed.