Altamont Board Moves Ahead w/Bond Refinancing Plan

Altamont school board members Monday decided to move ahead with a bond refinancing plan designed to save the district on interest costs.

Board members Kerry Wolff and Dale Laue have been working on the project and have spoken with two bond firms that could handle the new bond sale. Wolff said interest rates are such that he says the District could save up to $1 million in interest costs over the life of the bonds. The matter will likely be finalized at the Board's December meeting.

The Board voted to purchase a reading curriculum for students in Grades K-5. There were concerns over the cost, and there was a proposal to cost the program in over the next six years, but Board members said the administration should find the funds to implement the program for all affected grade levels at the same time. There is sentiment for the system since the teachers have decided this is the one to utilize. The thought was expressed, "teachers picked it, so they will be behind it." 

Altamont board members met with Jim Helton of the Illinois Association of School Boards on the process of selecting a new superintendent for the district at the conclusion of current Superintendent Steve Mayerhofer's contract at the end of the school year. Helton reviewed results of a survey involving input from board members, teachers and other staff, parents and others in the community on what should be sought in the next superintendent. Helton said the plan is to seek applications in December, with him bringing candidates before the Board beginning in January.

The Altamont Board agreed to utilize The Upchurch Group of Mattoon to serve as the district architectural firm, heard a presentation from officers of the Altamont FFA Chapter on their fall activities, and decided to act on the fiscal year tax levy at the December meeting.

Board members heard that they received a contract counter offer from the Altamont Education Support Professionals Association Monday afternoon and discussed the proposal in closed session following regular business. 

Following the closed session, the Altamont board voted to follow the recommendations of the IHSA on participating in basketball and other winter sports. They also endorsed a plan to utilize YouTube to stream basketball games and other activities with hopes of covering home and road games. 

High school principal Jerry Tkachuk reported that Altamont is hosting the Student Council District Convention today in a virtual format. Tkachuk believes it's the first time that Altamont has hosted the event.

The Altamont board tabled action on grade school principal Doug Hill's contract for next year until December, and discussed the upcoming retirement of high school principal Jerry Tkachuk. The Board approved an extended leave for teacher Laura Smith, finalized the hiring of Angela Shumake as a cafeteria clerk and substitute driver, and accepted the resignation of Michelle Stewart as an aide.