Dieterich Board Gets Timeline on Construction Project

Dieterich school board members Monday got the timeline for the district's classroom expansion and restroom renovation project.

The District will hold a pre-bid meeting on Thursday, January 26 for any construction companies interested in bidding. The bid opening will be Thursday, February 9 at 2pm, with the bid award to occur at the Board's February 13 regular meeting. Construction is anticipated to begin in March.

Also, Dieterich Superintendent Cary Jackson shared a recap of the annual TIF Joint Review Board meeting held on December 20. During the meeting, Dieterich Village Economic Development Coordinator Brittny Gipson presented the activities in all three TIF Districts within the village. Projects highlighted were Hartke Subdivision construction, the Wright Family Center, Liberty Memorial Park improvements, ITEP downtown beautification, and Dieterich Industrial Park East infrastructure construction.

In personnel moves, the Dieterich board hired Heaven Kinnison as a student worker, hired Carol Bohnhoff as a subsitute bus driver, approved Valerie Engelbart as a volunteer assistant for Scholar Bowl, approved a maternity leave for aide Kelsey Probst, and approved a leave of absence for aide Sara Deters for the first part of March.

The Board approved the purchase of hearing and vision screening equipment that would allow the District nurses to perform hearing and vision screenings for the students. The equipment and costs will be shared with the Teutopolis and Beecher City school districts. The three districts also share nursing services. The total cost of the equipment is $14,290.90. 

Board members also approved the 2023 property tax relief grant application. The grant would provide recipients the opportunity to abate property taxes for two years through grant proceeds. Jackson said the funds for the grant are very limited and that very few districts in the state receive funding. He said the chances of Dieterich receiving the funds are slim. The maximum possible abatement would be $382,189. 

The Board also approved field trips, heard of a donation for use of school facilities, and got a report on the Dieterich Holiday Tournament, where the Dieterich finished second and the girls finished fourth.