Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Ironwood — In hopes of moving forward with plans for an addition to Luther L. Wright K-12 School, trustees of the Board of Education of the Ironwood Area Schools voted on Monday evening to approve a resolution to establish a special election on May 2.
The election will allow local residents to vote on whether or not to approve the borrowing of more than $16 million in order to enable funding of the pending project, which also includes other improvements to the school property.
Trustee Aaron Ruotsala was the only trustee to vote against the resolution. Trustee Adam Graser was absent.
After the meeting, Ruotsala told The Globe, “I would need to get a better understanding before I’m OK with that. I think the plan, versus taking care of what we have, needs to be discussed.”
The resolution states, “Whereas: 1. In the opinion of this board it is necessary and expedient to ask voters whether to approve a bond project consisting of erecting an early childhood addition to, remodeling, including security improvements to, furnishing and refurnishing and equipping and re-equipping a school building; acquiring and installing instructional technology and instructional technology equipment for a school building; and acquiring, developing, and improving an outdoor learning area, playgrounds, athletic fields and facilities, parking lots, driveways, and sites.”
The resolution then states that the estimated cost of the project is $16,251,466.
It also notes, “This board estimates the period of usefulness of the improvements for which bonds of the district … are to be issued to be not less than 22 years.”
Exhibit A for the resolution reports that estimated millage that would be levied for the proposed bonds in 2023 is 2.87 mills ($2.87 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 1.45 mills net increase over the prior year’s levy.
In other news, assistant principal Daniel Martinson noted that spring testing for M-STEP will run from April 10 to May 19.
He said “the big test date” for students in grades 8-11 will be on April 12 when those grades take the PSAT 8, PSAT 9, PSAT 10, or SAT.
Martinson added that local scholarship application forms are starting to arrive and that seniors should submit those forms by the end of February.
He also reported that Winter Homecoming activities began on Sunday and will continue through Friday. The school’s Facebook page has a related calendar of events.
The board also:
—Voted to approve the personnel report, which acknowledged the hiring of Sheri Schmidt as a media relations specialist, effective Jan. 3, and Shelby Coleman as a substitute teacher as of Jan. 9, at Luther L. Wright K-12 School. Powell said that Schmidt already has made a “significant” impact on the school’s social media presence.
—Heard the superintendent report that enrollment was 696 as of the end of last year and that attendance averages in the mid-90th percentile most days.
—Heard Johnny Ursini, food service director, report that shortages continue in the supply chain, but he added that, usually, substitutes are available.
—Heard Heidi Lauzon, supervisor of special education, report on training opportunities for her staff.
—Received thanks and certificates from the superintendent for dedication and “a desire to do what’s best” for the students and the school. Michigan has designated January as the month to recognize school boards.
—Heard Principal Melissa Nigh acknowledge the following four students, who were honored for exemplifying one of the recommended RISE traits of respect, integrity, safety and excellence: Jase Ellis, grade 2; Tegan Linn, grade 5; Lily Oja, grade 8; and Bukkit Paul, grade 10. Nigh presented each student with a certificate and a T-shirt.
