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Tri-City Register
School District hires full-time nurse
By Byron Painter
Editor
There were several new hires approved at the monthly Tri-City school board meeting last
Thursday.
Among those was Kathy Getz, hired to be the district’s full-time nurse.
The district has had a part-time nurse in the past.
“This hire will allow the district to all the needs of the students at Tri-City,” said Superintendent
Dave Bruno.
The district hired four students for summer work. Bill Ferrell has been hired as the new junior
high softball coach, while new math teacher Clemens Uptmor will be the junior high and high
school baseball coach.
Mandy Fitschen and Krista Myers, both T-C graduates, will share cheerleading coach duties.
The senior trip to Cincinnati from May 16-18 was approved; the seniors will be headed to King’s
Island amusement park.
Bruno, during the bus report, noted that the district will explore using Laidlaw for its
transportation needs.
“We are looking at options to secure our transportation future,” said Bruno.
The district will investigate if using Laidlaw would shave some transportation costs; going with
Laidlaw would preclude the need of buying new buses.
The elementary students continue to excel with the new computers, according to Bruno; the
fourth-graders are doing online research, for example.
“I am very pleased with how things are going in that area,” he said.
Bruno reported to the board the decision of the Sangamon County Board of Trustees regarding
the Gillman annexation, which the district won.
The next annexation case, regarding the Jay McCullough property near Interstate 72
(McCullough is paying tuition for his son to attend Riverton), should start next month, noted
Bruno.
The sprinkler system in the school building has been repaired; previous repair work was salt-
wrapped, which helped cover up leaks but also helped create rust.
The leaks and rust easily could have led to a major pipe burst.
The new system overhauled the old one and replaced some pipes.
Bruno also gave a preliminary report on next year’s calendar, which has been given to the
teacher’s union.
That calendar is expected to be approved in May.
Peg Davis, a special education teacher through SASED, will be retiring, reported Bruno.
Bruno also received from the county the latest proposed tax information.
With some new property in the district, T-C stands to gain in the high-five figures in additional
income for next year.
Elementary principal Kara Cummins reported that another grant for half-day Pre-K has been
written; if the grant, which would come from the state, is approved, a fourth half-day Pre-K class
would be available.
Another 20 kids or so would be served by that class.
High school principal Duane Schupp presented an updated teacher handbook to the board,
and he also reported that a new committee that he has developed is working on the student
handbook.
Awards day at the high school will be May 9, but at 9 a.m., so the peers of the award winners
can be there, according to Bruno.
The IASB (Illinois Association of School Boards) Policy Program was discussed by Bruno, to
ensure that T-C is meeting all necessary requirements.
More discussion occurred on whether or not the district will try to refinance bonds, as was
reported in last month’s school board story in the paper.
One of the bond companies will visit in May.
A final decision must be made in June; the call date on the bonds is September, and Bruno
noted 60 days are needed to complete paperwork.
Bruno also reported to the board during new business on some possibilities regarding co-ops
in sports.
Mt. Pulaski cancelled its softball season because of a lack of numbers, so Bruno will explore
the possibilities of having the Lady Hilltoppers come to T-C for softball.
Also, the Tri-City High School 70th reunion get-together will be the weekend of Sept. 13; it will be
held on the campus as well as an event at the Riverton Elks Club..
By Byron Painter
Editor
There were several new hires approved at the monthly Tri-City school board meeting last
Thursday.
Among those was Kathy Getz, hired to be the district’s full-time nurse.
The district has had a part-time nurse in the past.
“This hire will allow the district to all the needs of the students at Tri-City,” said Superintendent
Dave Bruno.
The district hired four students for summer work. Bill Ferrell has been hired as the new junior
high softball coach, while new math teacher Clemens Uptmor will be the junior high and high
school baseball coach.
Mandy Fitschen and Krista Myers, both T-C graduates, will share cheerleading coach duties.
The senior trip to Cincinnati from May 16-18 was approved; the seniors will be headed to King’s
Island amusement park.
Bruno, during the bus report, noted that the district will explore using Laidlaw for its
transportation needs.
“We are looking at options to secure our transportation future,” said Bruno.
The district will investigate if using Laidlaw would shave some transportation costs; going with
Laidlaw would preclude the need of buying new buses.
The elementary students continue to excel with the new computers, according to Bruno; the
fourth-graders are doing online research, for example.
“I am very pleased with how things are going in that area,” he said.
Bruno reported to the board the decision of the Sangamon County Board of Trustees regarding
the Gillman annexation, which the district won.
The next annexation case, regarding the Jay McCullough property near Interstate 72
(McCullough is paying tuition for his son to attend Riverton), should start next month, noted
Bruno.
The sprinkler system in the school building has been repaired; previous repair work was salt-
wrapped, which helped cover up leaks but also helped create rust.
The leaks and rust easily could have led to a major pipe burst.
The new system overhauled the old one and replaced some pipes.
Bruno also gave a preliminary report on next year’s calendar, which has been given to the
teacher’s union.
That calendar is expected to be approved in May.
Peg Davis, a special education teacher through SASED, will be retiring, reported Bruno.
Bruno also received from the county the latest proposed tax information.
With some new property in the district, T-C stands to gain in the high-five figures in additional
income for next year.
Elementary principal Kara Cummins reported that another grant for half-day Pre-K has been
written; if the grant, which would come from the state, is approved, a fourth half-day Pre-K class
would be available.
Another 20 kids or so would be served by that class.
High school principal Duane Schupp presented an updated teacher handbook to the board,
and he also reported that a new committee that he has developed is working on the student
handbook.
Awards day at the high school will be May 9, but at 9 a.m., so the peers of the award winners
can be there, according to Bruno.
The IASB (Illinois Association of School Boards) Policy Program was discussed by Bruno, to
ensure that T-C is meeting all necessary requirements.
More discussion occurred on whether or not the district will try to refinance bonds, as was
reported in last month’s school board story in the paper.
One of the bond companies will visit in May.
A final decision must be made in June; the call date on the bonds is September, and Bruno
noted 60 days are needed to complete paperwork.
Bruno also reported to the board during new business on some possibilities regarding co-ops
in sports.
Mt. Pulaski cancelled its softball season because of a lack of numbers, so Bruno will explore
the possibilities of having the Lady Hilltoppers come to T-C for softball.
Also, the Tri-City High School 70th reunion get-together will be the weekend of Sept. 13; it will be
held on the campus as well as an event at the Riverton Elks Club..
Issue Date: April 17, 2008