Teutopolis School Board Reinstates Several Athletic Cuts

Private fundraising coordinated by the Teutopolis Sportsbackers led to action by the Teutopolis School Board Monday night to reinstate a number of athletic offerings for the coming school year.

Superintendent Bill Fritcher reported that $31,959.42 was raised by the Sportsbackers through various volunteer efforts and that amount was combined with a $5,000 equipment donation by the Sportsbackers to make the difference.

The Board agreed to reinstate junior high "B" baseball and softball, high school boys and girls golf, high school baseball at the varsity level only, junior high "B" basketball, high school girls frosh/soph basketball, high school spring baseball, and high school track.

It was decided to still not provide transportation to golf matches and practices, to only have three paid high school boys basketball coaches, and to have the Sportsbackers provide workers at frosh/soph girls basketball games.  The District will also maintain the activity fees instituted earlier this year as a way to generate funds.

The Board also removed Speech as a high school graduation requirement, since Speech will now be taught as a part of the regular English curriculum.  Several hirings were approved, including Libby Womack-Jorn as high school Drama director, Jeff Kenter as lawn maintenance, field prep and outdoor concessions cleaning staffer, Brittany Robinson as high school assistant volleyball coach, Aaron Wendt as assistant soccer coach, Randy Tucker as a high school custodian on the second shift, and Sharon Roepke as high school secretary, replacing Debbie Funneman who took a job in the private sector.  The Board also agreed to advertise open positions, including boys golf coach, junior high assistant basketball coach, and a three-sevenths time high school German teacher.

The Board accepted resignations of Rob Bothwell as varsity boys golf coach and junior high assistant boys basketball coach and approved retirements from Teri Wortman as of the end of the 16-17 school year and of Julie Scott as of the 16-17 school year.  Kayla McLeod was approved as a volunteer for high school volleyball.

Teutopolis board members agreed to continue participation on the School Resource Officer program with a contribution of $8,800; approved an amended budget for the fiscal year that now anticipates a deficit of $842,000 rather than a deficit of more than $1.1 million, with Candy Jansen voting No; and approved Candy Jansen as the Board's representative to the Illinois Association of School Board's governing board.

Fritcher noted that Teutopolis Junior High was a division winner of the IESA's Sportsmanship Award, but also noted that the district is showing 29 fewer students in Average Daily Attendance as compared to one year earlier, meaning the district could see another drop in general state aid of $322,000.