Altamont School Board Fills Vacancy

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Published on June 10 2015 2:54 pm
Last Updated on June 10 2015 2:54 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Altamont Board of Education filled a vacancy on the Board at this week's meeting.

Even though he didn't run for re-election, David Schmidt had remained on the Board until a successor was found. The successor is Tammy Runge, who was appointed to succeed Schmidt this week.

Altamont, as was the case with several area districts this spring, didn't have enough candidates on the ballot to fill all of the vacancies.

Also this week, the Altamont Board heard that Kristi Lange was presented the annual Teacher of the Year award by National Bank, and that custodians are working quickly to get the high school building cleaned so they can move on to the grade school building as construction and renovation is completed.

There was discussion as to how to accommodate the Grades 5-8 band program as the numbers continue to grow. One option is to offer junior high band at the high schooo and incur transportation costs. Another option is to provide a larger space. Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch told Board members he contacted a firm that provides modular buildings to get a price on such a facility. There was also a report that the District received a perfect rating for special education services after the District showed that the original state scores were incorrect, and that participation in the Effingham County Skilled Trade Day in May led three Altamont students to land summer jobs. It was also learned the Farm to School program is working well as the garden is growing and a work schedule has been developed as to who will weed and water this summer.

Altamont board members employed Chad Hanebrink as Industrial Technology teacher for the coming school year and hired Amber Mayhaus as head high school volleyball coach. The Board accepted a retirement letter from Craig Stine, authorized Fritchtnitch to employ part-time summer help as needed, approved property/casualty/liability insurance coverage for $52,000, and decided not to release any closed session minutes to the public.