Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By MEGAN HUGHES
Bessemer — The Bessemer Board of Education heard a presentation regarding the district’s computer science program at the regular Aug. 26 meeting.
According to Superintendent Richard Matrella, the presentation by instructor Rachael Hendges addressed this semester’s addition of a computer science/coding course.
At this time, the class has around 20 students, according to Matrella, and the school is extremely pleased with the work that Hendges has put into the program thus far.
The course is for students in grades 10-12, and continues on from teachings in other computer classes in the district.
“They are going to have something that will allow them to continue their knowledge as they continue onto college and out into the workforce,” said Matrella of the students.
With school back in session as of Aug. 27, the Bessemer School District is looking forward to a productive year.
“Opening week of school went well,” said Matrella, “There were some bumps and that, but overall it went really smoothly. Kids were welcomed back to school on the three-day week, which is really nice. It gets them acclimated, and used to the rules and procedures again before having a little break and hitting the ground running again on Tuesday.”
Matrella also discussed the status of the district’s new electric buses, which have begun their rounds in the school district.
“It’s kind of neat riding on something you can hear everything on,” said Matrella. “It is literally an electric car, and there is not a lot of sound that comes out of it.”
Matrella took a ride on one of the buses on the first day, and noted that, for the next month or so, the district will be testing charging times for the buses until there is a better feel for the limitations of the vehicles.
In other news, board members:
— Voted to increase substitute teacher pay to $125 per day, which Matrella said matches many of the area districts.
— Approved a bid from Ruotsala Construction of Ironwood for concrete pads at the Massie Field dugouts.
— Approved a bid for fence installation at Washington Elementary School. The fences will be for the lot around the elementary school’s playground.
— Approved a bid for installation of electric and air conditioning in the administrative offices.
— Approved the support staff union contract as presented.
— Voted to rehire Antonio DelFavero as the junior high football coaching position. “He did a great job last year,” said Matrella,
— Approved a bid for paving of the Washington Elementary School parking lot, which includes site preparation and repainting of the lot. The project also will include a walkway up to the school.
