GOISD head praises Bessemer on use of services

By MEGAN HUGHES

[email protected]

Bessemer - The Bessemer Board of Education met on Nov. 15 for its monthly meeting, having changed from the regular schedule due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Alan Tulppo, superintendent of the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District, presented the annual service report.

Tulppo's report summarized data about how the GOISD was serving the Bessemer district, including year-to-year data of Career and Technical Education program enrollment and student highlights.

"Bessemer is making very good use of the services being offered through the general education department," said Tulppo. "With the exception of our school going directly into the schools for classroom education, you are making use of every service we offer."

Tulppo reviewed various GOISD offerings, noting that Bessemer uses professional support for teachers, social worker services, individualized education plan services and more.

He added that FabLab support also is well utilized in Bessemer.

In other news, the board voted to approve $11,000 for the purchase and installation of a new dishwasher for Washington Elementary School.

The washer had been discussed in the previous year, but repairs had been made at that time. The machine then broke down again the week of the meeting.

"We can't count the number of times that we have repaired this one," said superintendent Richard Matrella.

The board accepted the resignation of Matt Igl from the position of custodian and bus driver. Igl is pursuing a position in another field, and the board wished him well.

The board also approved a two-year contract for Jennifer Londo, who serves as business manager, transportation supervisor, and director of Human Resources.

In addition, the board approved the continued hiring of Kassi Huotari as head softball coach, and the hiring of Darrin Nowicki in a food service position, pending a background check.

In other news, the board:

- Approved October meeting minutes.

- Approved accounts payable as presented.

- Tabled approval of general fund financial matters due to requiring a document.

- Approved payment for work being done on the ball field dugout.

- Heard an update on the transfer of payroll software and briefly discussed the new software.

- Voted to table approval of an overnight Key Club trip to Sheboygan until the board is assured that all funding for the trip is secured.

- Approved NEOLA policy updates as presented. These included regular September updates and EDGAR/UGG updates.

- Heard administrative reports.