Dieterich Board Discusses Signage, Work on HS Gym

Dieterich school board members Monday heard that the school district and the village of Dieterich are exploring the option of partnering on a new sign for the school and the Wright Family Center, to be located at the corner of Church and Main Streets. The project is currently in the design phase.

Construction work at the school complex is all but wrapped up. The punch list items are being finalized.

Plans to update the Dieterich high school gym this summer are in being completed. Plans could include sanding and refinishing the floor, adding new graphics, painting the walls, audio updates and possibly replacing the tile ceiling. 

The district's health life safety report is being scheduled for this spring. The 10-year report is required by school code and will identify building issues that need addressed. There was also discussion of funding options for future projects that could include bonding, any available grants and pursuing passage of a one-cent school facilities tax.

The Dieterich board also:

--amended the school year calendar to reflect use of an emergency day on January 22

--set a tentative date for high school graduation for Saturday, May 11 at 2pm

--approved an intergovernmental agreement wtih the Regional Office of Education to allow the District to enroll students in alternative education programs

--received a 3.7 out of 4.0 on the district's financial profile. The district scored 4.0 other than "percent of long term debt margin". That's reflective of the bonding the district completed for the current construction project.

--approved a bid to sell a school bus for $1,000

--heard from Elementary Principal Josh Benefiel on the process of adopting a new reading curriculum for the elementary school

--were updated by Jr-Sr Principal Scott Kocher on the Dieterich Holiday Tournament

In personnel moves, the Dieterich board renewed the one-year contracts of Benefiel and Kocher...reassigned Valerie Niemerg from 2nd grade teacher to district librarian, reassigned Peyton Wright from 1st grade teacher to 2nd grade teacher...hired Lisa Hushaw, Hallie Niemerg, Rachel Kessler and Kali Worman as elementary teachers...hired Courtney Koebele as high school science teacher...hired Callaway Campton as PE teacher...and approved Cole Niebrugge and Dalton Will as volunteer high school baseball coaches.