Altamont Schools See Bump in Enrollment

Altamont schools will see a bump in enrollment at the start of the year.

School board members heard Monday that high school enrollment is at 288, 20 more than last year, while grade school enrollment is at 477, up from 471 a year ago.

The Board heard that work is nearing completion on a major renovation at the grade school building. Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch said plumbing, flooring and HVAC are the three major areas that are being addressed. 

Fritchtnitch also said it's hoped that all technology will be ready at the grade school. He said if students don't receive their Chromebooks the first week, they will be distributed the second or third week of school.

The Board learned that Fritchtnitch has invested the bequest from the Dave and Dorothy Coslet estate as directed. A total of $250,000 of the $400,000 has been invested between People's Bank and First Mid-Illinois Bank. The balance was placed in the Building and Grounds Fund.

High school principal Jerry Tkachuk reported that the third annual Effingham County Manufacturing Day will be held October 2. It's an opportunity for students to visit manufacturing sites across the county.

Fritchtnitch asked for Board input on the playgrounds at the grade school, which he said have deteriorated as a result of drainage and the freezing and thawing experienced in recent years, and how the problem should be addressed. He also reported on a $15,000 contribution from HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital for technology purchases, with the funds likely to help offset local costs for software, and for new smartboards in the fifth grade classrooms.

There was brief discussion on an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Altamont and the school district for use of Gilbert Park. Fritchtnitch said he had spoken with new Mayor Jason Rippetoe on the issue, but had not heard anything back from him, so planned to contact him again.

In personnel action, the Altamont board approved the recall of teacher aides Kassie Bullard, Lori Graves and Cheryl Will; approved volunteer assistant coaches including Mike Delaney in junior high baseball, Charlie Miller in high school baseball, and Hailey Flexter in junior high softball; and approved Megan Cole as high school volleyball assistant coach and Aaron Lock as high school soccer assistant coach.