Hurley School board hears updates on projects

By LARRY HOLCOMBE

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Hurley — The Hurley School Board members discussed projects inside and out of the school at their meeting Monday evening.

Administrator Kevin Genisot told the board that work on renovating the high school library is still in the planning and discussion phase. He said high school principal Melissa Oja and six to eight teachers have been meeting and looked at some videos of some options at other schools.

Oja added that there is a plan to visit some new library spaces in the region at Northwestern High School in Maple and Ashland High School.

Genisot said they are taking their time and doing their research. He said a representative from School Specialty was to be at the school Tuesday to take some measurements and talk to some teachers to get some ideas together.

The board discussed a new road that was put in south of the school connecting the west parking lot to a new parking lot near the softball and baseball fields. Several board members voiced concerns that part of the road was too close to some of the playground equipment and play areas.

Custodial manager Rich Huotari said a gate was put up at the west entrance of the road to restrict access.

Genisot suggested putting up a snow fence along the portion of the road nearest the play area in the spring when the road would be used to gain access to the games at the ballfields.

There was also discussion of possibly moving some of the equipment and adding speed bumps along the road.

Genisot also gave a presentation on the idea of purchasing some new playground equipment, saying the existing equipment is 30-plus years old and replacement parts for repairs can be hard to find. He said cost is a big factor and that he had that day applied for a grant from Enbridge, and was hoping to hear within six to eight weeks. He added the maximum grant would be $25,000 and that would only bring some of the money needed.

He said the Booster Club and Hurley Education Foundation may be able to help, and that he was hopeful they could save some money by doing the installation next summer with volunteer labor. He added he would like to see more than one piece purchased – perhaps one this year and one the next.

He handed out five pictures of playground installations with price quotes from Prime Time, ranging from $81,400 to $100,900. He also warned that the company is adding surcharges to the quotes to cover the increased cost of materials.

Finally, he said a representative from Prime Time would be available to come to the next board meeting on Oct. 31 to discuss the options presented.

Board member Kathy Saari suggested that the students be asked which of the options they like. The other board members agreed. Genisot said elementary principal Steve Lombardo had suggested such a survey and that they will see to it.

Huotari said the track paving is complete and striping will be completed by the end of the month. He also briefly discussed a previously approved order for $60,000 in new kitchen to replace some of the 30-year-old equipment there.

Under health and safety, Genisot said they began the year with 1,000 antigen COVID-19 tests and over the first 12 days of school they administered 18 tests. As of Monday, he said they’d had one staff member and six students report they had COVID.

Genisot also announced a flu vaccine clinic for the staff at the school on Oct. 3 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The board members are also invited, he said. The clinic is being set up with the Iron County Health Department.