Wakefield-Marenisco accepts 2019-20 school schedule

By P.J. GLISSON

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Wakefield - Members of the Wakefield-Marenisco Board of Education voted at their Monday evening meeting to approve the school schedule for the coming 2019-20 school year.

Due to recent approval by the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District, the Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School will start this year in the week before Labor Day, as opposed to the day after it, as in the past.

According to the calendar, the first day of school will be Aug. 27, and the last day of school will be June 4. Superintendent Jason Gustafson noted that the final day is tentative, owing to unknown factors such as loss of school days to extreme winter, cold, etc.

Students also will have Friday off in the first week, along with Labor Day in the second week, allowing for a four-day holiday weekend. That means the first week will include only three school days on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Another long weekend free will occur on Thanksgiving, when students will be released at noon on Nov. 27 (Wednesday) and will not return until Dec. 2.

Christmas break will be from Dec. 21 of this year through Jan. 5, 2020.

Also in the new year, spring break will be from April 4 through April 13. Other vacation days will be on Feb. 17 for President's Day and May 25 for Memorial Day.

Teachers will have full days of professional development on Aug. 21 and 22 the week before school starts, and again on Nov. 15.

They also will have half-days of professional development on Dec. 13, and in the new year on Jan. 31, Feb. 14 and March 13.

Gustafson said half days allow for state credit as school days while also giving teachers a break from full days of training.

Trustee Brandon Yuchasz cast the one opposing vote to the new schedule.

In other news, board president Brad Dalbec proposed a moment of silence to remember two local victims of a car accident over the weekend.

According to the Gogebic County Sheriff's Office, Lauren Powless, 18, and Madeline Jackson, 15, both of Ironwood, died in a Saturday morning crash on Lake Road in Ironwood Township. Zachery Hammon, 20, also of Ironwood, survived the crash, according to the office.

"It's a devastating thing when that happens," said Dalbec, fighting back tears.

The board also:

-Voted to accept the list of 16 high school graduates in 2019, as recommended by Gustafson.

-Voted to accept a bid for snow removal from James Paquette of Paquette Rentals. As the only bidder and the current servicer, Paquette offered graduated, inch-based rates throughout a five-year contract.

-Voted to accept a dairy bid from Jilbert's Dairy and a bread bid from Bimbo Bakeries USA. Randall Bakery also had submitted a bread bid.

-Heard senior exit project presentations offered by Laura Fair and Hannah Plemons. According to Gustafson, the board voted last year to make the projects a requirement for graduation.

-Heard Gustafson recognize the April 21 passing of Joann Balduc. He expressed appreciation for her service as a school board member in the first decade of this century.

-Voted to accept two-year employment agreements for business manager Tina Trevarthen and K-12 secretary Melody Saubert. "Both of these employees work very hard for our district," stated Gustafson.

-Voted to accept a two-year contract for food service supervisor Suzette Fetters. Gustafson said a recent food service audit passed "with flying colors" and complimented Fetters and her staff for their "excellent" work.

-Heard Yuchasz voice appreciation for the recent National Honor Society induction ceremony and board treasurer Marsha Vestich describe the school's spring concert as "absolutely wonderful."

The Wakefield-Marenisco high school graduation ceremony will be held May 24 at 6 p.m. in the school gym.

The last day of school will be on June 12 with a noon release.

The board will meet next on June 17 at 5 p.m. in the school's second-floor board room.