Altamont School Board Acts on Curriculum Purchases, Cooperative Sports Agreements

Altamont school board members heard from Art teacher Toni Niebrugge and Isabella Yagow about the Ballard Art Contest and Isabella's recent win. 

Teacher Lori Grimsley discussed an ERATE grant she wrote that is funding 350 new Chromebook devices for Altamont Grade School.

Altamont parent Wes Bell presented an idea to open an online apparel store to be run by students where community members could purchase items.

In personnel matters, the Altamont board accepted the upcoming retirement of grade school principal Doug Hill effective June 30, 2024, the retirement of Donna Kroening effective December 31, 2023, and the retirement of Sally Mayhaus at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year. The Board also approved 12-month employee contracts for Kathy Clausius, Lori Grimsley, Kris Biggs, Katie Lurkins, Alan Whitt, Amanda Dust and Jared Stuckemeyer, and approved a five-year contract for superintendent Casey Adam.

The Altamont board approved moving the April board meeting date to April 11 due to Spring Break; approved a Family and Medical Leave Act leave for an employee; approved Drevonte Hill as volunteer baseball coach and approved Jim Strange as volunteer golf coach.

The Board approved the purchase of textbook and instructional materials as recommended by the curriculum committee for Grades 5-8 Social Studies, Grades 6-8 Science, 6th grade Math, FACS, junior high Health, and high school English. Also approved: a five-year agreement with Illinois State University for student teacher placements, renewal of membership in the IHSA for the coming school year, gate admission fees, and an overnight trip to Beardstown for the baseball team.

Altamont board members approved athletic cooperative agreements, including an IESA agreement between Altamont Grade School and Altamont Lutheran Interparish School for junior high softball, junior high track and junior high school girls basketball through the 25-26 school year; an IHSA agreement for track and field with Mid America Prep School through the 24-25 school year, for boys golf with St. Elmo and Brownstown through the 24-25 school year, and for boys soccer with Cowden-Herrick, Beecher City and Mid America Prep through the 24-25 school year.

The Board also approved an annual contract with Glass and Shuffett auditors for the past fiscal year's audit.