Published on April 15, 2025 9:51 am
Last Updated on April 15, 2025 9:55 am
Altamont school board members Monday moved ahead with research into potential building projects.
The Board discussed the results of requests for quotes for architectural work. The Board plans to interview the top ranking submission to discuss potential projects in the district. Additional space at the grade school building and parking at the high school building have both been discussed.
The Board appointed a building committee responsible for overseeing future projects. Committee members will include Maintenance Director Alan Whitt, Superintendent Casey Adam, and board members Dale Laue and Dane Milleville.
The Altamont board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Laker Connect through Lake Land College. Laker Connect is a new program Lake Land has implemented to address barriers to dual credit and for early engagement with college and career pathways. They are focusing on increased communication with all parties, increased access to summer classes, and increased faculty support. They have two levels of memberships based on the student’s engagement, but both levels include free dual credit classes for students (they currently pay $18.42 per credit hour), $250 or $500 tuition waiver, and graduation recognition for College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE).
The Board also approved an intergovernmental agreement with LIFT Career Center in Mattoon. LIFT offers 7 different career pathways for juniors and seniors. Their courses are dual credit and would be used as elective credits here at the high school. Many of the students are linked with a workforce based learning in their final semester that often lead to jobs in the careers the students are interested in. LIFT cost $1000 per semester and would be paid for by the student. However, LIFT does offer some scholarships for students. Transportation would also be provided by the student.
Altamont board members amended the school calendar. The last student attendance day will be May 21 with the teachers’ last day on May 22. The board also heard from Noah Stanley from the Class of 2025 and Mr. Long on the senior trip experience to Washington, DC, and approved the food service contract for the coming school year with OPAA.
In personnel moves, the Altamont board approved resignations from Klaiton Wolff as junior high baseball coach and from Holly Vansaghi as high school Student Council advisor. Those hired were Josie Tedrick as a 4th grade teacher, Sidney Donaldson as a junior high ELA teacher, and Holly Borah as high school girls basketball coach. Rachael Hammer was reclassified from JV girls basketball coach to volunteer, and Myah Stuemke was dismissed as high school cheerleading coach.
The auditor contract for the fiscal year was approved for $16,000, and 12-month employee contract renewals were approved for Whitt, for Chelsea Tonn as nurse, and for Kathy Clausius as school psychologist and special education coordinator. The Board also approved annual raises for non-contracted employees.
