Board votes unanimously to advance bond application

By IAN MINIELLY

iminielly@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — The Bessemer Area School District Board of Education shrugged off the cold Thursday morning to elect new officers and vote on a school bond application.

In a unanimous vote, the board accepted a motion to forward a bond application to the state’s treasury office. The bond requires demolishing of the Washington Elementary School and expansion of the A.D. Johnston school to be split and considered separate efforts, although the district is not beholden to destruction and can still sell the elementary school, instead of demolishing, if the voters approve a referendum.

The board elected officers for the 2017-’18 school year. Bob Berg wass retained as president, Annette Lillie is the new vice-president, Beth Steiger as the new secretary, and Kevin Nyquist as treasurer. The committee assignments will be confirmed at the next board meeting.