Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JAN TUCKER
Ontonagon — Three long time teachers in the Ontonagon Area School District submitted their retirement letters to the Ontonagon School Board Monday. The most senior member of the faculty is Kenneth Raisanen who has 43 years teaching earth sciences in the school. He started his teaching career right out of college and noted in his retirement letter that he has taught many grandchildren and great grandchildren of his former students. His retirement is effective June 30.
David Linczeski has had 25 years on the faculty, primarily teaching to the sixth grade and physical education departments. In his retirement letter he commended the head positions, current staff and administration and thanked them. He will retire May 31.
The board also accepted the retirement of Linda Simi, lower elementary instructor, effective May 31. Simi had served on the faculty for 18 years.
The board Monday also renewed the contract of superintendent and principal Jim Bobula. Bobula has 21 years in the district as teacher and five years as principal and superintendent. At the last meeting, the board in a closed session, made the evaluation of Bobula as superintendent, and Monday released and approved that evaluation. The report gave the superintendent 3.85 points out of 4 and called him “highly effective.” Board President Dean Juntunen added “Jim Bobula has mastered the intricacies of his job, and his even-handed, respectful approach in dealing with people leads to success for all.”
The board renewed the contract with business services manager Linda Karttunen. Karttunen has held the position for 30 years and Bobula called her “a critical part of the team.”
The contract for Assistant Business Services Manager Kristie Ollila who has served for 15 years was also renewed.
The board authorized hiring Charles Zielinski and Brian Amos as instructors for the driver’s education program. The cost for each in-district student will be $350 for segment I and $50 for Segment II. Out of district costs will be $425 for segment I and $50 for segment II.
At a special meeting March 12, the board hired Emily Stafford as a lower elementary instructor.
In other action the board:
—Authorized the overnight trip requests from Glen Beck for the robotics students March 15-17 trip to Escanaba and overnight for the team at Sault Ste. Marie, April 5-7.
—And accepted the low bid from Anderson, Tackman and Co. for audit services for $9,600 per year for three years.
The board expressed thanks and congratulations to the retiring teachers and the many people who organized and worked on the successful basketball tournaments.