Bessemer to host public meeting on school consolidation

BESSEMER — Bessemer school officials will host a public informational forum on consolidation in the A.D. Johnston High School gymnasium following the school’s Board of Education meeting Monday night.

The consolidation of Bessemer and nearby Wakefield-Marenisco School District has been expressed by some community members as an appropriate path to improving the area’s education.

A consolidation proposal was placed on the Aug. 5 primary election ballot this year, but was removed following a court order in June.

Bessemer schools sued County Clerk Gerry Pelissero following a Michigan State Police investigation that determined consolidation advocates had illegally collected signatures while petitioning to have the proposal put on the ballot.

Lawyers said both parties involved in the hearing were in a position neither wanted as the result of a third party. A consent judgement was given by Judge Charles Goodman, of Houghton, and the proposal was removed from the ballot.

The Gogebic Ontonagon Intermediate School District sent a survey to residents in June to determine public opinion on consolidating the two schools.

According to the results, which were released last week, a majority of respondents said they would vote in favor of consolidation based on what they knew at that time.

However, confusion over how the new school would be funded, whether other options could achieve consolidation’s results and other issues have circulated throughout the community, which is what the two schools are hoping to clear up.

Wakefield-Marenisco school officials have sent out informational packets to district residents and have held similar informational meetings to what Bessemer will host.

Bessemer’s District Administrator, Dave Radovich, said the purpose of the meeting is to provide the public with “current and accurate” information so that if the consolidation proposal is ever placed on a future ballot, voters will have an informed position on the issue.

The meeting is expected to begin around 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. The Board of Education meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the high school’s media center.