Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
IN WHAT President Jim Partanen called an "historic" moment, members of the Bessemer Area Board of Education met virtually for the first time to address their Monday meeting agenda. Photo images shown from top to bottom on a ZOOM screenshot are Trustee Dick Matrella, Partanen, Treasurer Tara Graham and Business Manager Chris Bergquist. Not shown, but present, were new board Trustee Dave Osier, Secretary Beth Steiger, Interim Superintendent Dan Niemi and Washington Elementary School Secretary Susan Raykovich.
By P.J. GLISSON
Bessemer - At a Monday meeting of the Bessemer Area School Board, members voted to appoint a new trustee and to limit access to the schools, while also allowing planned maintenance to continue.
"I guess this is an historic event - the first meeting using electronic technology," said Board President Jim Partanen.
Board members met via ZOOM software, which allows people to gather virtually with the aid of either phones or computers.
The action was taken in response to a state directive to limit public gatherings in the wake of COVID-19, a strain of coronavirus, spreading nationwide.
Although all board members were connected virtually, some were sitting in the media center of the A.D. Johnston Junior and Senior High School, which is where the board typically meets.
The first action taken was to vote to appoint Dave Osier of Bessemer, as a trustee to replace Annette Lillie, who stepped down from her position.
Interim Superintendent Dan Niemi said that an acknowledgment of appreciation for Lillie will be sent to her after board signatures are collected.
Partanen said that Osier was the only person who applied for the position. "Congratulations, Mr. Osier," he said. "We welcome you to the board."
Niemi swore in Osier before the meeting continued.
Board members also learned from Niemi that college assessment tests such as the SAT will not take place this spring. "They're not scheduling their tests until June," said Niemi, who is also the principal of ADJ.
When Trustee Dick Matrella asked the status of third grade reading evaluations, which traditionally are used as a readiness gauge for proceeding to the next grade, Niemi said he has not yet received state direction on that matter.
"Lots of wild questions are out there," said Board Secretary Beth Steiger regarding community confusion over how the current school closures will affect student progress.
She added, however, that seniors targeted to graduate this year should expect that to happen.
Regarding the board's vote to restrict building access, Partanen clarified that Niemi will have "discretion" regarding entry.
"We have to leave it kind of fluid because things are going to change," said Partanen, but said that for now, volunteers preparing lunches to go, along with custodians and Washington School Secretary Susan Raykovich, will be allowed entry with required letters from the district.
In other action, the board also:
-Learned from Steiger that the board's curriculum committee hopes that students starting in the fall will have access to mailbox-sized lockers, including charging devices, for storage of electronic devices.
-Voted to approve a March 3 proposal by Keweenaw Automation, Inc., which will spend two to three days checking out pneumatics in relation to the schools' heating systems. The cost will be $11,700 and will be covered by bond funds.
-Voted to hire Shelly Mettler as girls' varsity volleyball coach and Lori Bennetts as girls' junior varsity volleyball coach for the 2020-21 school year.
-Voted to hire Tammy Kahn and Sherri Nyquist as junior high track coaches for the 2019-2020 school year.
-Discussed possible ways to meet student needs while school remains out of session due to COVID-19 mandates.
