Dieterich School Project Nearing Completion

Dieterich school board members Monday heard that the district's construction project is nearly complete.

Superintendent Cary Jackson reported that there a few touch-up items to be completed within the next couple of months. The District is waiting on some materials to complete the project. 

In the meantime, board members discussed some possible additional work projects. Those include sanding and refinishing the high school gym floor, including new graphics; replacing ceiling tile in the high school gym; painting the high school gym; replacing the junior high/elementary gym floor; renovating the stage area in the junior high/elementary gym; and new digital signage on the newly-purchased property at the corner of Church and Main Streets.

Eastern Illinois Area Special Education Associate Director Lisa Bloemer was on hand to share information on the STEP Program, the Secondary Transitional Experience Program. The program provides services and assistance to students with an Individualized Education Plan regarding workplace skills, employment opportunities and assistance. The Board approved participation in the program starting with the 2024-25 school year.

In personnel moves, the Dieterich board hired Cynthia Miramontes, Josie Tegeler and Frances Verdeyen as student workers; hired Justin Funneman as high school baseball assistant coach; accepted resignations from Matt Irwin as custodian and Lindsay Burton as a certified teacher; and accepted letters of retirement from Mary Richars as district librarian and from Janice Zimmerman as Kindergarten teacher.

Jackson reported on the annual TIF Joint Review Board meeting held in December. Village of Dieterich Economic Development Coordinator Brittny Gipson presented the activities that took place in Dieterich's three TIF Districts. Some of the projects highlighted were new home construction in Hartke Subdivision, the Wright Family Center, improvements in Liberty Memorial Park, ITEP downtown beautification, and infrastructure construction in Dieterich Industrial Park East.

Jackson also continued with the Board the process of looking to the future for the betterment of the school district. Three main areas will be the focus of future planning sessions. Those are facilities; student, achievement, and programs and services; and communications. Time will be made available at future Board meetings to devote toward planning.

Also Monday, the Dieterich board accepted the annual library grant from the Secretary of State totaling $850; approved a proposal for the required 10-year health/life safety report to be completed by The Upchurch Group; and approved a facility use request from the local Lutheran churches for their annual Easter celebration to be held on March 31.