Homework Club, Senior Trip Reviewed by Dieterich School Board

Dieterich school board members Monday heard about a "Homework Club" for students.

A group of teachers led by Jodi Mammoser requested the use of District facilities for the facilitation of the Homework Club.  Tutoring will be provided free of charge to any student wanting extra help in any subject area.  The program will be run by volunteer teachers and community members. 

Board members approved the project.  Organizers hope to begin the program the week of October 28.

The Board also heard from senior class students Sydney Higgs, Megan Garbe and Taylor Wright regarding this year's Senior Trip.  The students presented a detailed itinerary for a trip to Branson, Missouri April 23-25, and the Board gave its approval of the trip.

Approval was given the budget for the coming fiscal year.  The budget anticipates an estimated deficit of $355,440 for the year.

Elementary principal Kathy Pattenaude and high school principal Kevin Haarman reported that their buildings and the District all made Adequate Yearly Progress according to the State for 2013.  The Board also got good reports on turnout for an Open House and Book Fair on September 3 and Grandparents Day on September 4.  Haarman and Pattenaude also reported that enrollment for the District has increased from last year by eight students...251 students in Grades Pre-K to 6, 69 students in junior high, and 139 in high school.

In other action, the Dieterich board:

--approved a request from the Dieterich FFA to attend the national convention in Louisville, Kentucky October 30-November 1

--accepted the resignation of Michele Hartke as high school cheerleading sponsor, effective immediately, and hired Kim Lane as sponsor

--hired Charlene Rose as high school girls assistant basketball coach

--hired Sierra Larson as part-time family and consumer science teacher

--hired Angie McElravy as a part-time aide

--hired Tami Hetzer as a part-time aide

--approved a four-day leave for Lisa Bloemer, using personal days and unpaid leave days

--heard from Superintendent Cary Jackson that American Education Week will be November 18-22 with special events to be scheduled

--heard that the co-operative Skype Spanish class with Beecher City High School is going well.  The class is hosted by Dieterich Spanish Teacher Debbie Bower and, through the use of Skype, is transmitted to Beecher City High School for the benefit of their students.