School Board Hears of Work to Expand Altamont Enterprise Zone

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Published on July 14 2015 9:29 am
Last Updated on July 14 2015 9:29 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Altamont school board members Monday heard about efforts to expand the Altamont Enterprise Zone.

Altamont Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch explained that the Enterprise Zone Board has decided to make application, and to expand the Zone to a total of seven square miles, which would encompass the entire city of Altamont and the reservoir. Also discussed was the creation of a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District in an effort to support the Enterprise Zone and to attract businesses to Altamont. The move could also serve to support infrastructure enhancements within the city.

An Enterprise Zone can offer deductions or abatements of property taxes and elimination of taxes on building materials and related items. A TIF District allows for a portion of the tax revenue generated in the district to be earmarked for projects within the district.

The Altamont board also heard Monday of a Kickoff to Education Breakfast, which is to be sponsored by the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce on August 5, and learned that the Altamont school district has been selected as the Chamber's Member of the Month for August.

Board members heard that the district had an overall attendance rate for the past school year of 95.5%, compared to 95.9% the prior year, and that the mobility rate among district residents was down to 15.4%, compared 26.9% the year before.

Altamont board members approved John Hall as a volunteer assistant junior high softball coach and Clint Reardon as a volunteer assistant junior high baseball coach, approved exempt non-certified hourly pay rates for the coming school year and approved administrative salaries for the coming school year.

The Board also accepted resignations from certified staff members Mike Dokey and Wes Wise, accepted resignations from coaches Courtnie Mullen and Benton White, hired Craig Stine as vocational bus driver, and employed Aaron Lock as grade school and junior high PE teacher and Marlene Perkins as high school Ag Sciences teacher. Board members also approved a school hearing and vision screening provider agreement with HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital.