Teutopolis Board Issues Bonds for Phase One of High School Project, Okays Design Work on Phase Two

Teutopolis Superintendent Bill Fritcher said the bonds to finance Phase One were sold Monday and revenue is expected to total about $2.4 million. Fritcher said there were "lots of local participants" in the purchase of the bonds and the interest rate is about 3.88%.

Phase One work will include construction of nine classrooms and renovation of five other classrooms, valued at about $2.1 million.

The Teutopolis board also approved a professional services agreement with Upchurch Architects to prepare design documents for Phase Two. The Phase Two work includes the demolition of the 1929 and 1949 sections of the high school, along with new HVAC for J.H. Griffin Gym and the locker room, remodeling of two rooms in the shop area to be used as a band room, and an enclosed walkway connecting the newest part of the high school building and the gym area.

Fritcher said they hope to bid the Phase Two work this fall and begin the work in late Spring or Summer of 2020.

Also Monday, the Teutopolis board adopted a resolution regarding use of revenue should the County School Facilities Tax be approved by voters in the April election. The Board would use the funds for Phase Two of the high school project, then for the annual abatement of property taxes to pay existing debt until it's paid off, then on general maintenance needs of the District, and then on future construction needs of the District. Until the funds would be needed on such needs, the money would be saved and invested.

Also, the Board approved a one-day senior class trip to Chicago; approved an alternative education program agreement with the Regional Office of Education; approved an amended school calendar for this year to reflect an inclement weather day in late January; approved a one-year agreement with Glass and Shuffett to do audit work; agreed to review a buildings and grounds priority list in May once the Administration reviews the list with building principals; and discussed potential class sizes and staffing needs at the grade school for next school year with no action taken. Some TGS teachers were on hand to promote smaller class sizes.

The Teutopolis board heard that the Administration has completed an application for Tax Increment Financing funds from the Village of Teutopolis once the revenues are received; discussed the possible installation of solar panels on the FFA field west of the retention pond at the junior high school to save on district energy costs; and discussed next year's school calendar but are waiting on any action until the State completes its calendar ideas.

The Board also accepted the letter of retirement that has been expected from Charlie Sample as of the end of December 2019 and agreed to seek applicants for the position. Also approved was hiring Angie Kroeger as a pre-school and Special Education bus route driver. There was no action this month on re-hiring district administrators for next school year.