Dieterich Superintendent Shares State Funding Woes, Teacher Institute Results

Dieterich Superintendent Cary Jackson shared with the Dieterich school board Monday the latest on state budget woes in Springfield.

Jackson talked about a proposed property tax freeze and a pension cost shift, leaving school districts with more responsibility for covering teacher pensions. He indicated both of the measures could have a "significant negative impact" on Illinois school districts.

Jackson also recapped the teacher institute activities held last week in partnership with Teutopolis and St. Michael schools. The main topic was educational technology. Teachers from all three districts learned various aspects of Google Education and how to apply the knowledge in the classroom with the use of Chromebooks.

The Board also accepted a grant for $4,000 from the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation to be used for the Dieterich After School Program, and approved a facility use request from Dieterich grad and minor league baseball player Sam Thoele for private baseball instruction. Thoele was also approved as high school JV boys basketball coach. In other personnel moves, the Board hired Jeannie Schabbing as parttime cafeteria and custodial worker, hired Janet Tague as drama coach, and hired Carla Dasenbrock as parttime Special Education aide.

Dieterich board members heard an audit report that indicated there was a 5.6% increase in equalized assessed valuation in the district, that 76% of expenditures are on salaries and benefits, which is down from last year, that the district deficit spent in excess of $400,000, and that the District Financial Profile Rating was 3.55 out of 4, which falls in the highest category of recognition.