Altamont School Board Restarts Superintendent Search

Altamont school board members formally accepted David Martin's resignation as superintendent during a work session Friday.

Martin had been hired, but incidents from his past led some in the Altamont community to raise concerns, leading to Martin's decision not to take the position.

Illinois Association of School Boards representative Tim Buss spoke briefly to the Board about resuming the superintendent search process.

The Board also accepted Shelly Kuhns' resignation as Board President, but not from the school board. The board's vice-president, Kerry Wolff, was appointed as the new board president.

Board members renewed their audit agreement with CPAs Glass and Shuffett, and approved the district's agreement with the Regional Office of Education for alternative education programs.

The Altamont board also heard from Assistant Transportation Director Mark Holland on the age and mileage of the bus fleet. Holland also presented a five-year tentative plan to acquire a District truck and new buses.

High school principal Jerry Tkachuk discussed commencement plans, set for Saturday, May 15. Immediate planning includes holding the event at the Effingham County Fairgrounds.

Interim Superintendent Jim Littleford asked the Board about any procedures in the development of next year's school calendar. Littleford will begin the process of developing a calendar. Littleford also shared with the Board concerns from the community regarding the food service.

Maintenance Director Alan Whitt addressed the Board on the Facilities Priority List and reviewed a plan on possible replacement of the Altamont Grade School gym bleachers this summer.

Board member Dale Laue provided the Board with a financial update on District bonds. The bonds were recently refinanced at a savings of nearly $1 million.

Tkachuk gave the Board an update on summer credit recovery to both Altamont students, as well as distance learning students from other districts. He indicated ACHS is planning to offer a one-semester credit in US History, General English, General Mathematics, and Algebra I. The courses would be offered two hours per day, two days per week, for five weeks. Classes would begin June 7 and end July 8.

The Board approved re-employment of non-tenure certified staff members, including Marissa McDowell, Kasey Sanders, Kyle Bourgeois, Larry Blevins, Morgan Hall, Robbie Kline, Lindsey Wendling, Kimberly Splechter, Mildred Cowger, Katrina Bauer, Laura Smith, Jarielle Cameron, Lindsay VanBlaricum, Lisa Reardon, Wayne Bloemer, Brittany Painter, and Logan Hill.

The Board also approved high school and junior high school coaching assignments for next school year.

High School Assistant Principal Peggy Bueker and Grade School Assistant Principal Kris Biggs, who serve as high school and grade school athletic directors, respectively, spoke to the Board on what they termed is the necessity to raise sports officials pay. They will gather more knowledge on the increased costs and will review that information with the Board at their March meeting.

The Board recognized guests later in the meeting. That included Altamont Education Association representative Corletta Bowen, local businesspeople Shane Frederking and Ryan Eckhardt, and school board attorney David Braun.