Altamont Board Discusses NTC Tourney, Art Show

Altamont school board members discussed the recent National Trail Conference Boys Basketball Tournament and an upcoming art show at this week's meeting.

Grade school principal Doug Hill reported 37 students will represent the grade school at the Effingham Art Guild's Children's Art Show. The event will take place this Saturday and Sunday at the U of I Extension Office in Effingham.

High school principal Jerry Tkachuk and Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch shared good news regarding the NTC Tournament, including compliments from Dieterich fans and a Facebook post from a fan of the Altamont band and dance team. Both groups performed during the tournament.

Tkachuk also reported that three Altamont students applied for, and were accepted into, the county Construction Trades class to be offered for a second year. He also shared that Altamont High School students will be taking a PARCC test this spring in Science. The test wil be taken "sometime in May".

Fritchtnitch reminded that the Altamont Chamber of Commerce Banquet is scheduled for March 19, and that a Board Work Weekend is set for Friday and Saturday, March 4-5.

Following a closed session, the Altamont board expelled a student beginning February 15 through the end of the school year for what was termed "gross misconduct". The Board also hired Aaron Lock as high school boys track coach, hired Casie Bowman as junior high girls track coach, approved Doug Winters and John Hill as volunteer coaches for high school girls softball, and approved Clint Reardon as volunteer for junior high boys track.

The Altamont board approved next year's school calendar, set high school commencement for May 21 at 7pm, and approved intergovernmental agreements for alternative education programs for next year.