Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By PAMELA JANSSON
Hurley — The Hurley School Board on Monday approved a 5% increase in wages for all staff, effective immediately.
Genisot said that is higher than the union-stated Consumer Price Index of 4.16%.
According to Investopedia, CPI is defined as “a measure of the average change over time in prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services.”
Genisot said the raises will cost the district $150,500 in the next fiscal budget year, which begins on July 1.
As part of its annual reorganizational process, the board also elected officers for the coming year.
All officers remained in the same positions, as follows: Leslie Kolesar, president; Andy Laurin, vice president; Kathy Levra, clerk; and Kathy Saari, treasurer.
Jessica Leinon-Novascone was elected as the school’s CESA 12 representative.
The board also renewed its annual contract with CESA 12 at a cost of $65,965.
Based in Ashland, CESA 12 describes its mission as advancing equity, sustaining improvement and promoting leadership.
In other news, the board also voted to fund $549,059.50 for a 3-year refresh of ipads and computers for students and staff. Genisot said that the upgrade will result in a shift of the use of iPads from the current pre-K to fifth grade to pre-K to third grade. He added that computer use will shift from sixth to 12th grade to fourth to 12th grade.
Kolesar said that part of the expense will be offset by a buy-back of the existing equipment by Diamond Assets in Milton. Genisot that that credit should amount to more than $200,000.
Board members also:
—Voted to fund $12,000 toward a new security system that is expected to be installed before the start of the next school year. Although details of the system remain private, Genisot said that Hurley Police Chief Chris Colassaco highly recommended the new system.
—Voted to match $20,000 to $25,000 in funds if the Hurley Education Foundation is able to find a donor to provide a similar level of funding toward the renovation of the elementary school library. Genisot said that HEF also will match the funds, resulting in an expected 3-way split.
—Voted to fund $20,000 to replace three lathes, dating back to the 1970s, if the school receives a Wisconsin Fast Forward Technical Equipment Grant for the same amount. HEF also has pledged the same amount. Genisot described the purchase as “a fantastic opportunity” that could result with “new equipment that would outlast all of us.”
—Voted to fund $43,306.06 to Soundworks Systems in Stevens Point for the cost of partial new lighting in the school’s auditorium.
—Approved NEOLA policies relating to procurement of federal grants and the reporting of accidents.
—Were reminded by Melissa Oja, middle/high school principal, of the school’s high school graduation on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the high school gym.
—Received an invitation from Steve Lombardo, elementary school principal, to the kindergarten graduation on June 4 at 12:30 p.m. in the school auditorium.
After a closed session, the board also voted to fund $91,000 to AMN Healthcare Language Services for one year of online speech and language support. The company is affiliated with the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, based in Lansing. Genisot told The Globe on Tuesday that the school has about 40 kids on a related case list.