Teutopolis School Board Approves Personnel Moves; Discusses Sound System and Bleacher Improvements

Superintendent Matt Sturgeon shared information on a host of items with the Teutopolis Board of Education Monday evening.

Sturgeon re-established a commitment to seek community input for District goals. He also provided information on a potential sound system upgrade for musical and other fine arts events, shared an expectation of surplus property release in coming weeks, and provided an overview of anticipated ESSER III expenditures as additional funding is expected. Sturgeon also expects the release of public bid information on new outdoor bleachers at the district track located at Teutopolis Junior High School. 

The Board approved an amended budget for the balance of the current fiscal year; approved for first reading Board policy changes; renewed financial software for the coming school year; authorized a student teacher in Art for work at both the junior high and the high school. Property/Casualty/Liability/Worker Comp insurance was awarded to Prairie State Insurance Cooperative for the coming three fiscal years except for Worker's Comp insurance to StarStone for the coming fiscal year. The Board also agreed to maintain Ameren as the District's natural gas supplier through April 2023 and to seek supplier contracts effective May 1, 2023.

Teutopolis board members accepted resignations from Dan Blankenship as high school Business teacher, Andy Mersman as high school tennis coach, Emily Petty as high school track coach, Jordan Thoele as junior high basketball assistant coach, and Maria Tegeler as high school Ag teacher and FFA sponsor.

Internal movements were approved including Amber Rose as junior high head cook and custodian, Kim Repking as sixth grade teacher, and Lisa Miller as junior high cook.

New hires included Barbara Williams as bus driver, Amy Sandschafer as fourth grade teacher, Alex Elliot as high school Ag teacher and FFA sponsor, Matt Passalacqua as high school Industrial Arts long-term substitute teacher, Cassie Carpenter as high school Business teacher, Al Church as Class of 2024 sponsor, and Emalei Koester as high school cook.