Hurley to replace dust collection system in shop classroom

By LARRY HOLCOMBE

lholcombe@yourdailyglobe.com

Hurley — After months of study the Hurley School District has settled on a new dust collection system for the school’s shop classroom.

The school board was presented with three system proposals from Stainless Specialists of Wausau and voted to purchase a system including installation for $359,685.

District Superintendent Kevin Genisot said he expects the system to be installed over a three-week period, perhaps in the fall.

The current dust collection system predates the school, which opened in 1991, having been brought over from the former J.E. Murphy High School shop classroom.

The board voted to hire Jason Geach as a junior high social studies teacher. He is coming from the Iron County Sheriff’s Department where he has been a deputy for 17 years. Genisot said he has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, and will get an emergency teacher credential while he works on securing longterm certification.

The board also voted to give the entire staff an 8% raise, tied to the current consumer price index, according to Genisot. The vote was 4-1, with member Kathy Saari voting no.

The board discussed the idea of instituting an open campus for grades 9-12 for the lunch period, but decided against the idea, for now. Genisot said the board decided to stick with the status quo and look more at the issue in the coming year, while still allowing students to be signed out by their parents for the lunch period.

In an annual re-organization of leadership, Leslie Kolesar was re-elected chairman; Andy Laurin, vice chairman; Kathy Levra, clerk; and Saari, treasurer.

The board also approved an annual contract with CESA for educational services for $49,970.

Genisot wrote in his report to the board that plans for the construction of the new elementary playground are coming along including a longer than first planned chain link fence between the playground and a pond on the neighboring property. He said the equipment has arrived in boxes and crates, and that a post hole auger will be purchased for the tractor to facilitate the installation. He expects the construction to begin in early summer.

K-5 Principal and Athletic Directer Steve Lombardo reported that it was a slow start for what turned into a hectic spring sports season. He said regional tournaments for baseball, softball, golf and track will all begin next week. He said the spring athletic banquet was to be held Wednesday, May 17, at the school.

Commencement will be held Saturday, May 27, at 1 p.m., in the gymnasium. Middle and High School Principal Melissa Oja said in her report that there will be two recognition programs the day before — one to highlight students’ academic and extracurricular achievements, and another to honor seniors who are receiving scholarships. She also said the coming summer will be busy with the library renovation project.