Athens K-12 hires coaches, advisors

By Casey Krautkramer

The Athens School Board reconvened from closed session during its May 19 meeting to approve 2025-26 contracts for central office staff, coaches and co-curricular advisors.

Central office staff include Heather Krueger as district nutrition supervisor, Beth Steinke as business office manager, Tamara Schreiner as payroll specialist and Rebecca Bliven as executive assistant to the superintendent and special education department.

Varsity head coaches include Todd Diethelm for baseball and football, Tanille Hartwig for volleyball, Korey Rottscheit for cross country, Mike Baer for girls basketball, Jeramie Penney for boys basketball, Jodi Gauerke for wrestling and Matthew Ellenbecker for softball.

Middle school head coaches hired are Tom Ellenbecker for baseball and football, Jonathon Heier for softball and Kaylyn Halopka for track.

Co-curricular advisors include Adam Triebold for the fall musical production and spring swing choir, Mary Nelson as freshman class advisor, Brenda Walker as senior class advisor, Korey Rottscheit for high school math league, Jessica Bingham for high school forensics, Danielle Gauerke for cheerleaders, Dee Brewster for National Honor Society, Jessica Bunkleman for Future Farmers of America, Mary Nelson for Science Olympiad and high school Student Council, Michelle Murkowski for Future Business Leaders of America, Jessica Bingham and Shelia Nevienski for Raise Your Voice and Stan Smith for band special events.

Other school co-curricular advisors are Brewster for middle school forensics and student council, Murkowski for middle school yearbook, Brewster for sixth grade Jump Start, Emily Szutkowski for the Maple Grove Charter School yearbook, Courtney Cyrtmus and Kerri Zamzow for Maple Grove Charter School student council, Jackie Schelling for the Athens Elementary yearbook, Todd Diethelm as athletic director and Bridget Kottke as concessions coordinator.