Teutopolis Board Approves Handbook Changes Affecting Athletics, Vacations During School Year (UPDATE)

The Teutopolis Board of Education Monday voted 5-2 to make two changes in the district's student/parent handbook.

One change increases the number of athletic contests a player will miss for a first offense of the district's substance abuse policy. The first offense has netted a 10% of contests penalty, an amount Superintendent Bill Fritcher said he feels is not a sufficient deterrent. He proposed a 25% penalty, but the Board eventually settled on a 20% penalty. Board members Leon Gobczynski and Troy Ozenkoski voted against the change. Ozenkoski said he felt the district was trying to raise other people's children, and Gobczynski said the 10% penalty was enough of a deterrent. 

Fritcher said "eight or nine" students were penalized during this school year.

The Board also amended the excused absence provision for district students where family vacations are concerned. The change states that the district discourages family vacations that cause children to miss school, and will permit no more than five missed school days for such vacations before the absences will be unexcused. There are also provisions for advanced notification before the days off will be excused.

Ozenkoski and Gobczynski again voted No on the question.

(JOHN CARROLL OF POETTKER CONSTRUCTION SPEAKING AT MONDAY'S TEUTOPOLIS SCHOOL BOARD MEETING)

The Board heard from John Carroll of Poettker Construction on why the district should consider them as a construction manager if they pursue a renovation or reconstruction project at Teutopolis High School. They also heard from former coach and player Rich Probst as to what the Board should look for in the next boys varsity basketball coach. Fritcher indicated the Board will try to hire a coach at their June meeting, and sooner if they reach a decision more quickly. He said the administration hopes to interview "8 or 9" candidates.

The Board approved technology purchases for the coming school year for not more than $105,000; approved $41,000 in purchases of 8th grade History textbooks and high school Science textbooks; and began a discussion of adding a Director of Maintenance position. The thought is that many of the maintenance expenses of this past year could have been handled by the Director of Maintenance for less expense than outside sources and would keep maintenance done on a routine basis.

Board members set lunch prices as suggested by the Federal government. The prices will be $2.45 for Grades K-6, $2.70 for Grades 7-12, $2.95 for adults, and 60 cents for high school ala carte. Milk remains at 35 cents.

The Board approved re-sealing and striping work in the Unit office parking lot, and approved concrete work on the easternmost part of the parking lot at the high school. There was some discussion of affiliating with an athletic conference, but the consensus is that there isn't a good fit at present. They will keep their options open, though. Keys are opportunities for more competition for other than the big name sports, and the amount of travel that would be involved in joining a conference. 

High School Principal Greg Beck reported that they hope to begin a freshman course regarding Career Exploration and that they are hopeful of getting willing students more involved in aiding students in need of some assistance academically.

There was discussion of securing a full-time school resource officer for the district. Fritcher said Sheriff Dave Mahon was concerned over the impact on other districts if a change is made. The Village of Teutopolis just hired another officer and Village Board members aren't sure they could help with the cost of a SRO officer. He said the sheriff didn't close the door on the idea at this point.

In personnel moves, the Teutopolis board accepted Jeff Armstrong's resignation as Music teacher as of school year's end, accepted Grant Keller's resignation as boys golf coach, accepted Elizabeth Walker's resignation as a sixth grade teacher, accepted Mike Wilson's resignation as part-time athletic director, and Charles Wilson's resignation as a teacher as of August 15th of this year when he will retire. 

The Board met in closed session at the end of regular business Monday. Following the closed session, the Board hired Brooke Hoene as a high school Science teacher and as high school girls track coach, hired Allison Vogt as JV girls tennis coach, increased Kristin Deters' aide hours to 7.5 hours/day, and increased Kathy Ruholl's aide hours to 4.25 hours/day.

The Board also agreed to advertise these positions: elementary Music teacher with Band duties, part-time Athletic Director, grade school teacher's aide for 6.75 hours/day, one-on-one teacher aide for seven hours/day, high school library aide for seven hours/day, high school boys golf coach, junior high girls assistant volleyball coach, and high school assistant baseball coach for the fall season.