Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
MICHAEL MEYER, the executive director of the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce encourages the Ironwood Area Schools Board of Education to renew its membership in the chamber at the board's Monday meeting. Later in the meeting, the board voted to renew the membership.
IRONWOOD - The Ironwood Area Schools Board of Education, on Monday, approved continuing a lease with the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District to allow the GOISD to use a number of empty classrooms in Luther L. Wright.
According to district Superintendent Tim Kolesar, the lease price of $32,981 is the same rate that the district leased the space to the GOISD last year and is more than likely close to a standard rate that the GOISD most likely pays all districts to use their facilities.
The lease arraignment not only benefits the Ironwood students who benefit from GOISD but it also allows the district to supplement the amount of state aid it receives by utilizing classrooms that would be vacant otherwise, Kolesar told the Daily Globe.
"It's been an excellent partnership because, the reality is, so many of the students that are in these classes are actually Ironwood students. So we are really taking care of them ... our kids treat these kids very appropriately. It's been a great relationship," Kolesar told the Daily Globe. "And it's good for our bottom line, you know, as we get less (state aid) - we're going to get about $220,000 less in state aid - so when we get less there, if we can generate some income that way, it's only (a positive)."
While the agreement only has the GOISD use seven classrooms, Kolesar said they have expressed an interest in expanding if there is available space. The reduction of the number of second grade classes offered next year will likely free up a classroom, Kolesar told the Daily Globe after the meeting, which would likely be used by the GOISD.
According to documents provided to the board, the GOISD uses the classrooms for Moderate Cognitively Impaired students as well as for the Early Childhood Special Education program and office space.
In other action at the meeting:
- The board approved hiring Sandra Genisot for the district's elementary music teacher position. Kolesar told the board that the district had also interviewed candidates for an art teacher position but the other costs associated with restarting the district's art program was too high. He added that Genisot would likely be working to incorporate art into the music curriculum when possible.
- The board voted 5-1 to hire Mark Samardich for the district's custodian/bus driver position with the stipulation that he pass a 60-work day probationary period and pass a physical. President Pro Tem Ed Rickard was the lone no vote.
- The board hired Jared Sobolewski and Adam Mackey as co-coaches for the middle school football program.
- The board hired Heather Sbraggia as the district's varsity girls softball coach.
- The board accepted the resignation of Cheryl Jacisin as advisor of the Luther L. Wright Student Senate and approved her as advisor to the school's National Honor Society. They also followed through on her suggestion to have two student senate advisors, one for grades K-6 and the other for grades 7-12, now that the entire district is in a single building.
- The board awarded the district's bread contract to Bimbo Bakeries USA, which distributes Sara Lee Products. One other company submitted a bid for the contract. Bimbo Bakeries has served the district in the past, Kolesar said, but it missed last year's deadline. Kolesar said the company were also the low bidder.
- The board awarded the district's milk contract to the low bidder, Dean Foods, which features Morning Glory products and is distributed by the Hurley-based Twin City Dairy. There was one other bidder for the contract.
- The board voted to renew membership in the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce. The membership fee is $175, according to documents presented to the board. At the beginning of the meeting, chamber executive director Michael Meyer addressed the board and encouraged the board to renew its membership.
- The board approved the district's improvement plan. Among the items included in the plan, according to Kolesar, is an effort to incorporate writing into all subjects rather than solely relying on the district's English classes.
