Dieterich School Board Tightens Fiscal Belt

Dieterich school board members Monday discussed a budget reduction plan that has been developed over recent months.  The Board then acted on the budget recommendations.

The Board approved a resolution authorizing the reduction of Band Instructor Kelly Davis, Family and Consumer Science Teacher Hailey Brown and Business, Physical Education and Health Teacher Donetta Ohnesorge to halftime status for the coming school year.  The Board also approved a resolution authorizing the honorable dismissal of part-time one-on-one aide Christina Wilson for next school year.  Board members agreed to reduce the Art teacher's position to halftime, but no action on an employee was needed since the current Art instructor is retiring.

Dieterich Superintendent Cary Jackson said District fees for next school year would be acted on at the April meeting.  That is expected to include enacting a health department fee, restructuring athletic fees to include a per-sport fee, and enacting a field trip fee.  The Board is also looking at eliminating athletic transportation.  Jackson said the move involves parents getting their students to events.  He said several districts have utilized the move, which he says will save the District more than the cost of a teacher's salary.  A policy on the change is being finalized.

Jackson said the District is working on restructuring long-term substitute teacher compensation to lessen what's paid, and eliminated the Board state conference trip to Chicago and overnight administration conferences.  

The Dieterich board is eliminating a sixth grade basketball program and administrators have volunteered to take a freeze on their salaries for next school year.

In other business, the Dieterich board amended the school year calendar to make May 16 the final day of student attendance with a teacher institute on May 17.  Next year's calendar was adopted and will begin with a teacher institute on August 19 and the first day for students on August 20.

The Board accepted a $735 library grant from the Illinois Secretary of State's office; discussed the possibility of selling a district-owned lot for development within the Village of Dieterich; set the junior high promotion date for May 16; heard that the District earned $2,100 after their split of the proceeds with the IHSA for hosting the regional tournament; changed the language in the handbook to allow up to 12 cheerleaders on the squad, rather than 10; and accepted the resignation of Lisa Teichmiller as high school dance coach.

Jackson also reported that, due to the lack of candidates, the Dieterich school board will have to appoint two members after the April election.