W-M school reviews bid for windows

WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield-Marenisco school board reviewed a bid from Nasi Construction for the district’s window replacement project during its regular meeting on Monday.

The bid for $1,164,719 was the only bid the district received and was over budget. The bid included $295,000 to replace the windows in the gymnasium.

In order to reduce costs, the board decided not to replace the windows in the gym at this time, dropping the cost to $869,719.

Superintendent Jason Gustafson said he will work with Nasi Construction to find cost saving measures to allow for all windows in the academic portion of the school to be replaced.

The project is being funded through the ESSERIII COVID relief funds. The district recently purchased new curriculum for grades 7-12, as well as elementary math, with the funds, as well.

The board heard reports from Gustafson and Head Teacher Brandon Makela. They spoke of how the semester had gone by very quickly but was the most difficult they have endured. Gustafson said that COVID-19 concerns earlier in the semester, and more recently the threats of school violence on the national and regional level, made for a difficult semester.

The board held an expulsion hearing in closed session over a student’s disciplinary issue. Upon return to open session the board voted to expel the student.

The board also:

—Voted to accept summer tax collection agreements with the city of Wakefield, Wakefield Township, Marenisco Township, and Bessemer Township. The municipalities have collected taxes on behalf of the school district since 1981, according to Gustafson.

—Voted to continue its current mask mandate when students return to school on Jan. 3. The mask mandate will be revisited by the board at its next meeting on Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. in room 107.

—Charity Smith