Wakefield-Marenisco may move up school start date

By P.J. GLISSON

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Wakefield - The Wakefield-Marenisco board of education voted Monday evening to consider moving the school year's start date before Labor Day for the 2019-2020 school year.

"The main advantage is it's going to line us up with the college," said superintendent Jason Gustafson regarding Gogebic Community College.

If the new timing is enacted, Gustafson said the first day of school at the Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School will be Aug. 27, which is a Tuesday. He added the first week would include only three days of school because the state mandates schools to close on the Friday before Labor Day, which will be Sept. 2.

Gustafson said being in line with the college's calendar makes sense because increasing numbers of high school students are taking advanced placement courses at GCC.

He said another advantage of the proposed schedule is that it would provide an additional three days of "flexibility" in the full school year schedule.

In addition, trustee Dan Obradovich pointed out that the local football schedule also starts early in August.

"It does make me uncomfortable when we tie school to sports," said trustee Brandon Yuchasz, who voted no on the related motion, along with secretary Stacie Rooni.

Gustafson described the action as "a work in progress," explaining that the board is simply agreeing to apply to the state for a waiver to change the schedule.

Moreover, he said the application is contingent on all schools in the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District agreeing to apply together in March. He said the Ironwood Area District also has voted to apply.

"Even if we fill it out, it's not a guarantee," said the superintendent about the pending application. "It's not a 100 percent guarantee it's going to happen."

He added that he hopes the connection to GCC's schedule will help the cause.

Board members also:

-Elected the same board officers that served in the past year: Brad Dalbec as president, vice president Micki Sorensen as vice president, Marsha Vestich as treasurer and Rooni as secretary. Along with Obradovich and Yuchasz, Marg Lynott also remains as a trustee.

-Voted to proceed with plans to relocate the school's main office from its current location on the second floor to a more accessible location on the first floor, directly inside the main entrance. Gustafson said the new location should be operational by the start of the 2019-2020 school year.

-Voted to accept about 1,500 energy efficient bulbs from the city of Wakefield with the understanding that the district's own custodial staff will install them.

-Voted to allow Northern Michigan University to draw up a contract relating to the district's participation in the university's Educational Access Network. According to Gustafson, once the contract is agreed upon and reviewed by an attorney, the project will move forward. He said it will result in no cost to the school district and will provide students and community members "another option for purchasing affordable broadband internet for their homes."

-Learned from Gustafson that the school's water testing reported last month by White Water Associates, Inc. of Amasa, Mich., showed no issues with lead levels.

-Learned positions will be posted soon for a junior high track coach and a softball coach.

-Voted to accept budget amendments, as presented by district business manager Tina Trevarthen.

-Voted to accept the 2019 board meeting schedule.

-Received a cake and cards of appreciation from Gustafson, in relation to January being School Board Recognition Month. Rooni also expressed appreciation to Gustafson for having worked to earn the school various, recent grant funds.

The board meets next on Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. in board chambers on the school's second floor.