Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
THE BESSEMER Area School Board accepted resignation letters and approved hiring of several staff members during their Monday meeting. Pictured clockwise from left are, Trustee Beth Steiger, Secretary Sheri Graham, President Bob Berg, Treasurer Al Gaiss, Business Manager Chris Bergquist, Superintendent Dave Radovich and A.D. Johnston High School Principal Dan VanderVelden.
BESSEMER - With school starting Sept. 8, the Bessemer Area School District Board of Trustees approved several staff hirings and accepted other resignation letters Monday.
With the board's approval, A.D. Johnston High School Principal Dan VanderVelden accepted the role of senior class advisor and high school student council advisor.
"We posted this position, and we didn't have anybody from the Bessemer area apply," BASD Superintendent Dave Radovich said.
VanderVelden said taking on these roles will not affect his job as high school principal.
For second-grade teacher at Washington Elementary, the board approved hiring Diane Jaskie.
As recommended, the board approved hiring Pam Cooper as janitor and bus driver. Radovich said Cooper will work the afternoon shift at the high school.
The board approved hiring Jake Zelinski as junior high football coach.
"Jake is one of our fine graduates," Treasurer Al Gaiss said. "(He's) very mature, loves football and he'll be great with the kids."
The board also "regrettably" accepted Steve Boniface's resignation letter. In the past, Boniface served as band director for the high school, junior-high and elementary school levels. Radovich said Boniface and his wife received new, full-time jobs to work in Minnesota.
In addition, the board accepted Roni Mayville's letter of resignation. Mayville worked as the junior high school science and social studies teacher. Mayville said she is thankful for the opportunity to work for the district and appreciates their support.
To meet a federal mandate, the BASD adjusted lunch prices for the 2015-16 school year. The mandate sates the school district must average $2.70 between lunch programs at the high school and elementary school levels. Radovich said prices will be raised by 5 cents from the 2014-15 school year.
In other action, the BASD received a letter of recognition from the Michigan Department of Education. The MDE honored the district for narrowing the achievement gap between the top and bottom performing 30 percent. According to the letter, student achievement amongst the bottom 30 percent has improved.
The district also received a letter of "congratulations" from the Michigan High School Athletic Association, honoring the district for not receiving negative officials reports of sportsmanship concerns or ejections during the previous school year.
The board announced it will host an all-staff picnic on Thursday, Sept. 3 at the Washington Elementary cafeteria.
