The Teutopolis Board of Education approved a tentative budget during their Monday meeting. Superintendent Bill Fritcher was positive about the district’s financial situation with the recent passage of the Illinois’ stopgap budget.
“The budget’s looking pretty for good this year,” said Fritcher. “The state came through with what they should be funding us and that’s helpful. You know, we continue to look at our budget closely, we continue to make cuts where they need to be made. It’s something that I’m sure we’ll be watching for years and years to come.”
In other action the board approved funds for a new technology purchase of $15,000. The funds will be used to expand the High School’s wifi coverage to give students more locations to get online.
Also discussed were updates to the district’s concussion protocol. According to superintendent Fritcher, the updates to the policy are to keep students athletes safe if they receive a concussion and to continue to ensure that any doctor’s orders are followed.
The board also considered taking action to purchase new lockers for the boy’s locker room in the high school, but tabled the issue to give the district more time to get quotes on the cost. One estimate put the cost of purchasing, without installation, of the new lockers at $15,926.
Superintendent Fritcher also gave a report on district tax rates. According to him, rates are up this year.
“Our rate actually went up about 8 cents from last year because we did raise our TORT levy to pay for some new locks and a new entry system to our high school and junior high buildings to provide some more security there.”
He anticipates that rates will go down of the next year.
The board also approved two new hires Monday night. Meg Becker was hired as the Grade School Secretary and Casey Repking was hired as Assistant District Bookkeeper.