Altamont Board Votes to Put 1% Sales Tax Question on November Ballot

Altamont school board members Monday voted to place the 1% sales tax question on the November ballot. 

If the measure is approved, the district would be able to use the revenue for school facilities, school resource officers and mental health professionals. 

Enough districts in the county have now voted to place the question on the ballot that it will be on the ballot for voters throughout the county. A simple majority of Yes votes will pass the question.

The Altamont board filled two administrative posts. Katie Lurkins was employed as Dean and Athletic Director for Altamont Grade School for the coming school year, and Jeni Aldrich was employed as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director for Altamont Community High School for the coming year. Lurkins is serving as Activities Director for the high school this year. Doug Hill's retirement as grade school principal following this school year is leading to the other changes. Kris Biggs will be the new grade school principal.

Board members also hired Holly Borah as a first grade teacher, Sarah Probst as a third grade teacher, Maria Bushur as a junior high ELA teacher, all for the coming school year, and hired Cheri Myers as Unit Secretary. Brandon Wright was named high school volleyball coach, and the Board accepted Tessa Philpot's resignation as a teacher and as Student Council sponsor as of the end of the school year.

The Board approved an amended calendar for the current school year; approved the annual audit contract with Glass and Shuffett; authorized the purchase of a new Pre-K bus from Southern Bus Mobility for $90,581 and authorized Superintendent Casey Adam to go out for bids on a new 71-passenger transit-style school bus; and renewed a cooperative agreement with the St. Elmo and Brownstown districts for boys and girls golf.