GCC board accepts instructor's resignation

IRONWOOD — The Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees hired two people and accepted the resignation of a longtime instructor at its meeting Tuesday evening.

The trustees approved the retirement request from Alex Marciniak after 35 years of teaching, effective Aug. 1. Marciniak began his career at GCC in 1981, teaching part-time, and for the past several years was full-time.

He has taught courses in music history, music appreciation, history of theatre, drama, music theory, piano, film courses and public speaking. He also served on numerous college committees, volunteered for student events and activities and acted as the advisor for the student drama club. The trustees offered Marciniak best wishes in his retirement.

Roberta Rosenberger, of Lake Linden, was hired as full-time off-campus nursing instructor. Rosenberger holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing.

She taught as an assistant professor of nursing at Finlandia University for two years and served as an adjunct instructor at GCC since January of 2015.

Nicole Bretall, of Bessemer, was hired as part-time assistant to the TRiO director.

She has served as assistant to the learning resources director since February. She holds a master’s degree in liberal studies, along with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. She will begin her duties in mid-August.

A truth in taxation hearing was held prior to the meeting. The college is authorized 1.50 mills as a statutory operating millage, along with a 20-year voted 1.50 mills. Because of the 2001 millage reduction fraction, the operating millage is held to 1.3129 mills and the 20-year (site) millage is 1.5 mills. Revenues generated from the total millage amounts to around 13.5 percent of the college’s operating budget.

The board also approved a lease with Miners Inc. for the property along U.S. 2 in Ironwood where the old Kmart building was located. The lease is for 24 months so students can perform their driving instruction as part of the commercial drivers license program.

In other action, the board approved a proposal for the Construction Technology/Building Trades home from Chris and Angela Kortemeier, of Bessemer. The home plans submitted were smaller in square feet of living space than what the college has done in the past, but according to instructor Ray Niemi, all aspects of student learning will be met with the plan.