Altamont School Board Holds Working Weekend

Altamont school board members held their annual Working Weekend with unit administrators, acting on or at least discussing a variety of items.

The Board discussed at length the County Facilities Tax.  The Board directed Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch to continue discussions with county school superintendents to begin the process of imposing the tax in Effingham County.

The tax is designed to generate revenue for building improvements to school facilities.  The tax would have to be approved by county voters to take effect.

The Board hired Ty Totten as high school boys track and field coach for next school year, okayed John Ledbetter as volunteer softball coach, agreed not to increase registration fees and other fees for next school year, approved May 16 as 8th grade promotion night and May 18 as high school graduation night, and discussed extra-curricular assignments for next school year.

Board members approved reductions in the budget for maintenance and building and grounds as well as in the transportation budget.  The Board approved major maintenance and cleaning for this summer and for the coming school year; authorized Fritchtnitch to hire summer employees as needed; approved Recent US History and Advanced Foods as high school elective new courses; approved the Love and Logic Parent Education program for next school year; approved summer Art class; and tabled goal setting to their meeting on Monday.

The Altamont Board heard that more than 80 works of art produced by Altamont High School and Grade School students were on display at the 14th Annual Children's Art Show sponsored by the Effingham Art Guild; heard that plans are ready for the senior class trip to Washington, DC March 14-18; and heard that Altamont will host the NTC Boys and Girls Honors Banquets.  The boys' banquet will be held Monday night while the girls' banquet will be held May 13.