The Teutopolis School Board voted to approve school start and end times for the 2016-2017 school year at their meeting on Monday night. The decision to change the start and end times was required due a settlement agreement with the ACLU voted on in April. Superintendent Bill Fritcher explained the changes to the schedule.
An amended budget for the 2016-2017 school year was also approved during the Monday night meeting. Superintendent Fritcher said that while the district will have a deficit in the budget, they will be in a good position for this school year.
The School Board also made several changes to the student/parent handbook. According to Superintendent Fritcher, the changes affect the way suspensions and expulsions are handled by staff and administrators.
After hearing feedback on the Last Child Ceremony following discussion on the issue at last month’s meeting, the Bored voted to keep the tradition as part of Teutopolis High School’s graduation ceremony.
Superintendent Fritcher also made a proposal for the district to enter into a contract with a company who leases and maintains AED machines called Cintas. The District currently has an AED in the High School, Junior High School, and Grade School, plus two portable units for sporting events. Fritcher’s concern is with various components in the devices expiring over time. The contract with Cintas would cost the district $519.92 a month (64.99 per AED unit) for 8 AEDs. Maintenance and replacement parts are part of the agreement at no additional cost for the district. The Board voted to adopt the proposal.