Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
MERCER, WIS., SCHOOL District representatives Sheri Kopka, high school science teacher and Erik Torkelson, district administrator, hold a banner Monday after Mercer was named a "Spotlight School" by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Kopka was the primary grant writer for the award. The district receives $50,000 to be used for technology purchases.
MERCER, Wis. - September has been a month to remember for the Mercer School District.
On Sept. 16, the district received its state report cards, and finished well, not only at the local level, but across Wisconsin, as well, with an average score of 80.5 out of 100. That was tops in the Indianhead Conference.
On Monday, Mercer was named a 2014 "Spotlight School" by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
The district receives a $50,000 grant for excellence in instructional practice and student achievement. It is one of 14 schools across the state to receive the honor.
"This is Mercer's first Spotlight School Award, and hopefully the first of many," school district administrator Erik Torkelson said.
Others receiving the award included Bruce Middle School in the Bruce School District.
As a Spotlight recipient, Mercer will host schools from around the state and share instructional and intervention strategies so practices can be implemented in home districts. As for Friday, Hayward School District requested a visit, and at least two more visits will be set up, Torkelson said.
According to Torkelson, part of the grant must be used to cover travel expenses for other districts to visit Mercer. The remaining funds will be used for multiple purposes, including software and online textbook purchases, laptops and tablets and professional development training.
In addition to the grant, the district will be recognized at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Oct. 13. Torkelson will travel to Madison with school president Deanna Pierpont and vice president Kelly Kohegyi.
As for the success of the school district, Torkelson believes it's "only the beginning."
"I am very excited to lead such a talented, dedicated staff and student body," Torkelson said. "To achieve one of our goals is truly rewarding and I am excited about the resources this will bring to our staff and students, but this is only the beginning of what I hope is a long continuing tradition of academic excellence."
For more information, call the Mercer School District at 715-476-2154, or visit rewards.dpi.wi.gov/sor_spotlight_index.
