Published on April 15, 2025 2:56 pm
Last Updated on April 15, 2025 2:56 pm
Teutopolis school board members Monday discussed the start of work on a possible expansion at Teutopolis Junior High School.
The district architect has begun spec drawings for the possible expansion. Both a two-classroom and a three-classroom/1-restroom option are being prepared for Board consideration. Construction could occur in 2026 to accommodate the movement of sixth grade classes to the junior high building. The movement of the sixth grade classes is anticipated in the 2026-2027 school year. Teutopolis Superintendent Matt Sturgeon said the movement would create needed space in the grade school building.
Additionally, Sturgeon has scheduled presentations for the Board regarding future funding options. He said the informational sessions are intended to assist the Board with possible borrowing needs for future facility modernization and infrastructure work at the grade school building. Sturgeon also said work already approved for completion at the high school cafeteria this year, and the anticipation of 6th grade expansion work in 2026 would both be paid for utilizing district reserves.
Meanwhile, the Board left registration fees unchanged for the coming school year, and raised lunch prices by five to 10 cents…grade school $2.85, junior high $3.00, high school $3.10, adult $3.60, milk 40 cents, and ala carte 80 cents. The Board also accepted a proposal from Midwest Transit for purchase of a used school bus and directed the Transportation Director to secure a used drivers ed van, then dispose of the vehicles being replaced.
Board members approved a mutual aid assistance and facility use intergovernmental agreement with the City of Effingham allowing use of district facilities in case of an emergency, and set a special board meeting for May 5 to reorganize the board in the wake of the April election. Student registration for the Teutopolis district is set for July 7-11. The Board also expelled a student through the 2025-26 school year. The expulsion will be held in abeyance if the student successfully completes alternative education.
The Board accepted letters of resignation from Ian Brink as grade school custodian effective March 28, and Hannah Apple as grade school music teacher and Katie Jurgens as district librarian, both as of the end of the current school year. Also, the Board reassigned Kelli Wells to district librarian, reassigned Samantha Will to 5th grade teacher, Graci Meinhart to grade school and junior high school student services coordinator, Julie Wilder as 3rd grade teacher, Alli Brumleve as 6th grade teacher and junior high softball coach, Wittni Deters as grade school paraprofessional, and high school DO workers at the grade school.
The Teutopolis board extended the principal’s contracts of Tanner Lawson and Sherry Hoehn through the 2027-2028 school year, and approved a recommendation for high school officials pay for the coming school year as presented.
