Dieterich School Board Updated on Building Addition Project

Dieterich school board members Monday heard from Andrew Ewing of The Upchurch Group on the district's upcoming building additions and the timeline for bidding and construction.

Ewing said the project, most likely, will go out to bid this fall, with a project start time of late winter or early spring. Due to working around school schedules, the project is expected to run through the fall of 2024. 

Ewing said that several phases of the project must be completed before other phases can begin.

The Board also heard from Dieterich Sportsbackers, who discussed improvements to the ball fields that will bring safety netting between the fields and additional concrete to the spectator areas.

Dieterich board members approved a trip to the annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis from October 26-28; approved the fiscal year budget for the district, which projects a balanced budget; and agreed to declare two minivans and a bus as surplus property and to take sealed bids on the items. Bidding will close on October 6 and bids will be awarded at the regular board meeting on October 11.

Board members heard that district enrollment is 607, up from 570 at this point last school year. Personnel moves were approved, including hiring Emily Bloemer as After School Program Aide, and Laura Lidy and Kaylee Westendorf as student workers, accepting a resignation from Rodney Grunloh as Head of Transportation, and approved a leave for Pam Faller in December.

The Board approved the district's educational support staff retirement incentive, which will sunset on June 30, 2026; and approved the district support staff personnel review tool and to implement staff reviews during this school year.

Dieterich board members also approved an additional health insurance payment to the Egyptian Trust totaling $49,890. The additional amount was needed to fund claims in the self-insured health insurance pool

Superintendent Jackson reported that another round of the School Maintenance Grant is available to assist districts with facility updates. The Board approved a grant application. 

Jackson also reviewed a quote for a 14-passenger activity bus. The quote was for $81,706, but production of the bus is over one year out. Used activity buses were also explored. The district's bus supplier currently has a 30-school waiting list for used activity buses.