Teutopolis School Board Votes to Seek Bids on Demolition of 1929 Portion of High School Building, Classroom Addition

The Teutopolis Board of Education Monday voted to take another step toward a major construction project at Teutopolis High School.

The Board voted 6-1 to enter into an agreement with Upchurch and Associates to develop bid specs on a classroom addition of five, seven or nine rooms and the demolition of the 1929 portion of the high school building. The work would include construction of a walkway connecting the remaining sections of the high school building, conversion of two shop rooms into a band room, and HVAC work in the remaining portions of the building.

Board member Leon Gobczynski voted against the motion to prepare bid specs, after his motion to table the process until "we have ample time to educate the public" was defeated 6-1.

There were several comments in opposition to the demolition and construction project. Some thought the matter should go to referendum, some wanted to retain the historic nature of the 1929 portion of the building with renovation, some thought the project would cost too much, and some thought the project is too big in scope.

Seeking bids on a five-classroom, seven-classroom or nine-classroom construction project is an attempt to address some of those concerns. 

There was also discussion as to funding options. Board member Brad Koester shared information on borrowing $6.5 million, $6 million, $5 million, or $4.5 million, and on 20-year, 15-year or 10-year payback options, with and without refinancing bonds already being paid off on previous projects. Koester recommended the Board wait until the bids are in before deciding on a funding option.

Siemer Milling President Rick Siemer, a former school board member, continued his objection to the project, stating a $10 million debt is a "heavy burden". That amount is what Siemer expects the district to have pay off considering interest accrued on the bonds. He said, "I disagree wtih the plan" and encouraged the Board to use reserve funds or reduce the number of classrooms built to cut the cost. Koester thanked Siemer for his involvement in the process, saying it encouraged the Board to firm up their work on the project.

There was also discussion of bringing the 1% countywide sales tax back for another vote, as that revenue has to be used for structural improvements. The Teutopolis district voted in favor of the tax when it was considered in recent years, but the question failed in every other district in the county. The question has to be passed by those living where a majority of the school enrollment resides. That means Effingham Unit 40 since a majority of the county's enrollment lives in Unit 40. There's been no indication that Unit 40 wants to revisit the question.

As to what Upchurch and Associates would be paid for their work, the firm would be paid 9% of the winning bid if the work is awarded, and they would be paid 7.2% of the winning bid if the work is not awarded.

Also Monday, the Teutopolis board accepted the audit of the past fiscal year's books; approved the administrator and teacher salary and compensation report for posting on the district website; agreed to seek bids on a new school bus with some consideration of seeking bids on a bus equipped with shoulder and lap safety belts; approved early graduation requests; and approved a contract with Bushue Human Resources for HR services.

The Board approved the budget for the coming fiscal year; agreed to sell off a car and a cargo van; decided against action on changing substitute teacher pay until after contract talks are concluded; agreed to pay custodial salaries from the Education Fund; agreed to move the October meeting date from the 15th to the 22nd; agreed to use the Lake Land College grading scale when assigning a letter grade to dual credit classes; agreed to use Techtopolis funds to purchase Chromebooks; and decided to stop the practice of charging for school field trips to cover transportation costs.

Junior high school principal Pat Drees reported on an appearance by the band "Attaboy" scheduled this Wednesday, at 2pm at the high school for the student body and at 7pm at the grade school for the general public, and Drees, grade school principal Angie Sheehan and high school principal Greg Beck all thanked the Board for giving them discretion in the teachers they hire.

Following a closed session, the Teutopolis board approved a resignation from Dale Will effective at the end of the 2018-19 school year, and hired Derek Thompson as the high school fresh/soph boys basketball coach.