Massie Field Light Posts fate in question

By CHARITY SMITH

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Bessemer — The Bessemer School Board is trying to determine what to do with the light posts on Massie Field. The posts are starting to show signs of their age and are in need of a fresh coat of paint.

The booster club has been trying to raise $32,100 to have all the posts painted and sealed for nearly two years, but is still $15,000 shy of that goal and time is running out on the bid. According to the board, the poles are higher than most, in order to avoid being struck by fly-balls.

Board members expressed concern over how often the light poles are used. President Jim Partanen recalled that “back in the day” they were used for several football, baseball and even track events. However today the lights are used about three to four times a year for football events and the Fourth of July.

“If it’s an expense of $30,000 for a couple of football games. ... I mean how do you?” questioned board member Eric Stanislawski.

Board member Beth Steiger asked for more information on other options, such as the cost for removing the light poles and replacing them with new, lower poles.

“I think before you spend a dollar it’s a fair point that someone needs to go do the background work and see what are the options, what makes the most economic sense,” said Steiger.

Board member Dick Matrella suggested using fewer poles with new LED lights instead of the current halogen bulbs.

Superintendent Dan Niemi said that they should replace the bulbs, which are not included in the price, with LED lights. He said where you have a bank of 12 halogen bulbs, you could have a bank of four bulbs and it would light the field up even more.

According to Partanen, the poles have not been painted since approximately 1951. He said the bulbs were changed in the 1990’s, but the poles have not been painted in decades.

“OK. If it gives you 30 to 40 years of paint, I mean that’s cost effective. You’re spreading that $30,000 over 30 or 40 years,” said Stainslowski. “But LED lights I think is the way to go, too.”

“I agree,” said Steiger. “If we’re going to do anything we probably should also add in the cost to retrofit them with LED. I don’t think we should stick with the halogens.”

She asked how much more it would add to the project to install the LED bulbs. Niemi said that he would look into the cost.

The Massie Field beautification project also includes updates to the baseball press box, tree clearing, painting the interior of the bandshell, planting ivy and new fencing under the grandstand. The goal for the entire project is $50,000.

The board asked that Niemi look into extending the longevity of the bid from Pole Painting Plus of Monticello, Minnesota. They also asked him to find out more information on any other options and said it would be a good topic for a workshop.

The board approved the calendar for the 2022-2023 school year, which will have an early and gradual start for students similar to what was done this school year. The students will return to classes on Aug. 23 with a three-day week. The following week will be three days as well, and then progress to a four-day week and then finally five-day weeks beginning Sept. 12.

“This is good start with the college stuff, because then students show up on Tuesday who are in PT or College Ed and have three days to figure things out and not miss,” said Steiger. She said in previous years high school students have missed their first day of college classes as the high school is not in session yet.

Spring break will be in late March. Niemi said this is so that students don’t return from spring break and have to immediately start MSTEP testing. He said that the last couple years they have had one day back from break and have to start the state testing. “It’s not a good situation for the kids,” he said.

The board unanimously approved the calendar.

The board also:

—Approved the hiring of Emily DiGiorgio and Angelina Jarvela as elementary teachers. Jarvela has been student teaching under first grade teacher Jonelle France this year.

—Approved hiring Diana Hansen back as a part-time seventh and eighth grade English teacher. Hansen was formerly the head teacher at Washington Elementary.

—Granted permission for students to go on a trip to Europe with teacher Tracy Rowe on June 13-23. The 18 students will be traveling to Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain. The trip was scheduled to take place last year, but had to be postponed because of the pandemic.

—Approved the list of graduates for the class of 2022 and discussed the final week of activities for the seniors.

—Awarded the Bessemer “Be” awards for resilience to sophomore Achilles Suri and eighth grader Savannah Ossanna.