Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JAN TUCKER
Ewen — The Ewen-Trout Creek Board of Education Wednesday learned that taxpayers will get a break due to a decreased interest rate and the district’s strong financial position.
Business Manager Tammy Gibson reported taxpayers will see a lower than projected millage rate on their winter taxes with the lower than anticipated interest rate on the bonds sold to finance the building project. Taxpayers approved a 1.7 mill increase in taxes in November 2015 to complete the building project. Gibson said, however, taxes will only increase .7 mills.
The building renovation project is moving well with the installation of all equipment included in the project complete, Superintendent Alan Tulppo said. Preparations are being made to test the chiller and boiler systems. All exterior lighting is installed and working as expected, and sprinkler heads are installed. Work on the fire doors in each wing is completed. System commissioning will continue through October and November with total project completion scheduled in early December.
Tulppo also reported the roof is nearing completion as well.
Karla Parrott, the district’s school success coach, reported to the board about attendance rates during the 2015-16 school year. She said E-TC had a better than average perfect attendance rate but the number of unexcused absences is an issue to be addressed this year. She will continue working with families to encourage better attendance.
During the pre-session, staff at E-TC worked on goal setting, curriculum, establishing professional learning communities, and received training on using Google Drive, the superintendent told the board. Special education staff participated in training with a new IEP management system and Bill Witt provided the staff with an overview of updates to school safety procedures, mandatory reporting and safety drills.
Tulppo said the next step is the strategic planning initiative at E-TC. He attended a strategic planning conference on Sept. 10 and will begin holding listening sessions throughout the district in October. A survey will be posted on the district’s website.
In other action, the board:
—Heard the Panther Cub Early Childhood Center opened Sept. 12 with 15 children registered and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
—Heard enrollment is expected to remain stable in the 2016-17 year.
—Reported the Back to School Bash and Open House were well attended with about 200 people and thanked all those who assisted.
—Hired Logan Maki part time to serve as a monitor on the playground, ITV classroom and kitchen.
—Hired Jay Saaranen to fill a vacant bus driver position.
—Approved posting a position for an art teacher for the second semester.
—Approved an athletic co-op agreement with the Watersmeet Township School district for track and golf.
—And approved a memorandum of understanding with the E-TC Support Staff Association which allows staff members to utilize a lower cost insurance option.
