Published on March 10, 2026 9:44 am
Last Updated on March 10, 2026 9:44 am
Dieterich school board members Monday approved the 2026-27 school year calendar. The first day of student attendance will be Friday, August 14. The calendar also includes the addition of two half-days for school improvement.
The Board renewed membership in the IHSA for the coming school year, and renewed intergovernmental agreements with the Regional Office of Education to provide alternative education services. Also approved was a fee of $4,000 to provide student opportunities at the CORE Academy in Effingham. The CORE Academy provides vocational opportunities for 16 school districts in the Effingham Region and is housed at the Lake Land College Effingham Technology Center.
Dieterich Elementary Principal Josh Benefiel updated the Board on the progress of Pre-K and Kindergarten screening for next school year. 65 two to five year olds were screened. A list of handbook changes for the upcoming school year were presented. Some topics recommended for changes are discipline, semester exam exemption and assigned parking. Approval of the handbooks will come later this spring.
Cheer Coach Rae Lyn Schmidt was on hand to discuss the status of high school cheer team for next year. There were 25 students signed up for tryouts. The Board voted to reinstate limitations on the teams…14 for varsity, six for junior varsity. The dance team will be limited to 14. Tryouts will take place before the end of the school year.
The Board reviewed the itinerary for this year’s senior class trip to Cincinnati and Indianapolis.
In personnel moves, the Dieterich board approved a leave of absence for Megan Marks, and accepted the resignation of Special Education teacher Lori Zumbahlen as of the end of the school year. Felicia Swingler was hired as a fulltime custodian, Ian Addis was approved as a volunteer coach for junior high boys basketball, and a list was approved of 10 volunteer boat captains for the bass fishing team.
Dieterich Superintendent Cary Jackson reported that the roof/solar/tuckpointing project is slated to begin this month.
