Dieterich School Board Discusses Expansion Possibilities

Dieterich school board members Monday heard more about possible expansion plans due to increased enrollment.

Representatives from The Upchurch Group were on hand to present facility expansion options. Plans and cost estimates focused on classroom additions, secure exterior entryways, restroom renovations and classroom renovations, including science lab updates.

No action was taken.

The Board reorganized following the April election. New board members Dan Niemerg and Devin Aherin were sworn in and seated. Devin replaces his mother, Diane, on the Board while Niemerg, who succeeds Stephanie Fuesting on the board, is a former Dieterich and Teutopolis school superintendent. Neither Fuesting nor Diane Aherin sought re-election. Devin Aherin is a third generation school board member, as both of his parents and one of his grandfathers served on the Dieterich board.

New officers were selected, including Board President Cory Niebrugge, Vice President Doug Baxter and Board Secretary Charity Bohnhoff. Baxter will serve as Eastern Illinois Area Special Education Governing Board member with Niemerg as alternate, Rae Lyn Schmidt was appointed District Treasurer, and Baxter was appointed the Board representative to the Illinois Association of School Board's delegate assembly with Thad Goebel as alternate.

The Board approved the Master Schedule for the junior-senior high school for the coming school year. The only noticeable change is the addition of a junior high elective course focusing on STEM and Life Skills. Board members also approved a fee increase for the After School Program from $7 to $10 per day per student, which will take effect in the coming school year. After School fees have not been increased since the inception of the program in 2015.

Dieterich board members approved the purchase of 45 Biology textbooks for $4,176.90, and approved a combined Dance and Cheer Camp for June 21-23.

The Dieterich board heard from Junior-Senior Principal Scott Kocher on final plans for graduation. The ceremony will be indoors and will follow health guidelines. Each graduate will be allowed 10 tickets for family and friends. Any fully vaccinated individual does not count toward the guest total. Masks and social distancing are required. The ceremony will take place at 2pm on Saturday, May 15 in the high school gym.

Agriculture teacher and FFA Sponsor Garrett Helregel provided a written report on activities and uses involving the greenhouse. Helregel mentioned its use in classes and for projects outside the classroom including the annual FFA Plant Sale that is popular within the community. He said the plant sales are "98% student-led" and that plants are seen all over the community. Helregel said, "The greenhouse has provided more than just plants, it has provided a sense of pride, a name for itself in the surrounding area, and an educational opportunity that cannot be replicated."

The Dieterich accepted the resignation of teacher and coach Josh Krumwiede, who is heading to Athens as a teacher and coach, and also accepted resignations from Nichole Lidy as special education teacher, Cheyenne Brickner as music teacher, Tena Westendorf as varsity volleyball coach, and Jason Newkirk as JV girls basketball coach. The Board hired Newkirk as the varsity girls basketball coach, and Brenda Bloemker as custodian, and approved the sponsors and coaches list. The Board also agreed to advertise for the following positions: Special Education teacher, PE and Health teacher, Music teacher, head high school baseball coach, head high school boys basketball coach, and head high school volleyball coach.