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Thomas
Again Displays Malevolence
Towards Rayner |
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| Ironwood - August
19, 2009 Once again
Steve Thomas, showed his
malevolence toward
superintendent Jim Rayner.
The board president
wanted to put
restrictions on Rayner
working for the E-TC.School
District. Rayner has
been offered the job as
part-time superintendent
at ETC.
Rayner will be using his
accumulated vacation
time to work with the
E-TC district. Rayner's contract with
the IASD
runs for one more year.
The vindictive Thomas
has refused to renew
Rayner's contract past
the 2009-2010 school
year.
The stipulations wanted
by Thomas were tabled
until they could
be reviewed by the
Finance Committee.
Thomas, a card carrying
member of the teacher's
union has been at lager
heads with Rayner from
the get go. Rayner, has
strategically worked the
IASD out of a huge
deficit ($490,000)
during his tenure at
Ironwood. A deficit
created by Thomas'
cronies. Thomas' has a
different approach to
avoiding a deficit. That
is, take over the
neighboring school
districts and use their
money for frivolous
spending.
Rayner wants to control
spending. Thomas on the other
hand, wants to continue
to spend, spend spend!.
It is almost a
certainty, where the
district will wind up
after Rayner's
departure. Once the
stimulus money runs out
the district will have
to make deep cuts or go
into a deep deficit.
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Bessemer, Wakefield-Marenisco
Begin New Football Era in Local Football |
| August 4, 2009 The Bessemer Area School District and the
Wakefield - Marenisco School District will begin the school year
with a new co=op football program. The joint venture will make
it possible for more students to enjoy playing both Varsity and
Jr. Varsity football this coming season.
The Varsity team will play three home games in Bessemer and
one home game in Wakefield. The Jr. Varsity team will play two
home games in Bessemer and three home games in Wakefield.
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| The varsity season will open Friday, August 21st
in a scrimmage game against the E-TC Panthers in a match that
will be played in Ewen. The Jr. varsity team will open its
season in Eagle River, where it will play Northland Pines. The
Varsity squad will close out it season October 23rd against the
Red Devils in Ironwood. The Jr. Varsity team will finish its
season a day earlier, October 22nd against Ironwood, in a game
to be played in Bessemer.
View Full Schedule... |
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ETC Selects Rayner |
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| Ewen - July 31, 2009 Throwing caution to the wind the Ewen
- Trout Creek School board voted 4-3 tonight to offer a contract
to James Rayner. Rayner was selected over Manistique
Superintendent, John Chandler, strictly on the basis of cost.
The part-time position should pay Rayner $450. per day.
In spite of the tumultuous history of Rayner and the I.A.S.D.
school district, it was the bottom line that made the difference
to the cash strapped school district.
Earlier this week the school board tabled making a decision
on the Superintendent position, until the Board President
John Pinkerton, could be present to vote on the issue.
Earlier this week, sources inside the IASD told IronwoodInfo
that the decision had already been made and that Pinkerton would
select Rayner.
Chandler and Rayner came to the E-TC district under two
completely different circumstances. Manistique School District
was willing to share Chandler's services in order to reduce
administration costs. Rayner on the other hand is on his
last year with the I.A.S.D., which refused to renew his
contract just two weeks ago.
The vote was four to three with Pinkerton, Schott, Driesenger
and newly appointed board member, Fred Sliger voting to hire
Rayner.
It was Sliger, who last Wednesday made the motion to postpone
making the choice until Pinkerton returned. |
| The only member of the media present was Lou Bonagura from
IronwoodInfo. |
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E-TC Stalls on Administrator Selection |
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| Ewen - July 29, 2009 The E-TC school board met last
evening in a regular session that was expected to bring closure to the
district's search for a part-time administrator. However, newly
appointed board member , Fred Sliger, derailed the selection by
requesting that the item be tabled and that the issue be reviewed at
another time.
The search has come down to two candidates and James Rayner, the
embattled superintendent from the IASD.
The other candidate is John Chandler, superintendent of the Manistique
School District, who is willing to help his current district's expense
dilemma by working part-time in a second district.
The Manistique district has approved sharing Superintendent
Chandler with the E-TC district.
Rayner, has one year to go in Ironwood, the 2009-2010 school year. The
IASD school board voted not to extend his contract beyond this
school year.
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Mr. Sig Holkens, a member of the audience requested to
speak on the issue. He advised the board not to consider Rayner. He
cited the fact Rayner, has been a center of controversy, since his
hiring on at the Ironwood school district. He went on to say that
Rayner, has since lost the support of the citizens and the school
board.
The school board will reconsider the hiring, Friday evening at 7:00
pm.The District has yet to hire a new principal for the start of
the school year.
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| The only media present for the meeting was Arvo
Toolanen and Lou Bonagura from IronwoodInfo.com |
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"Four Year Old" Pre K to Continue at B.A.S |
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| Bessemer - July 28, 2009 The Bessemer School Board held its July
meeting last evening. The newest board member, William Mc Donald, was
in attendance for this, his first regular monthly meeting. Mark
Johnson District Administrator, introduced this year's changes to both
the2009-2010 Athletic Handbook and the 2009 - 2010 Junior - Senior.
High School Student/Parent Handbooks. There were few changes, however,
one the more interesting things discussed was the banning of high
energy drinks on campus. Mostly due to the fact that many of these
drinks are the caffeine equivalent of four cups of coffee. Worse yet,
it was discovered that one such drink actually had small traces of
cocaine in it. Another change contemplated for this year will be to
linking class grades to Driver's Ed eligibility. It seems that
Driver's Ed is the carrot, that is most likely to get the students
attention.
Mr. Johnson told the board that accident insurance will be
available to purchase by the parents of student athletes.
Board member, August Simmerling addressed the need for fiscal prowess
after the 2009-2010 school year. He suggested that Mark Johnson and
Chris Bergquist seek ways to conserve the surplus in the future, and
that the board support their fiscal decisions relating to surplus
conservation.
The bad news from Lansing was that the funding for the "four year old"
program may be cut. Other state spending items were on a day to day
basis --- yes one day maybe the next and no the following day. The
Governor and State Legislature have yet to make their spending plans
known to the people who need to the most. Go figure! Chris told the
board members, that the four year old program has gone through this
before. One year the funds were cut, only to be restored in March. The
program will be offered once again with or without the state funding.
Enrollment numbers for the new year are mixed, but certainly not bad.
Jr and Senior High will remain about the same as last year. However,
there may be a very small decrease in enrollment in the Washington
School.
In other matters, Mr. Simmerling presented the building and grounds
report. He listed the myriad of projects that are being worked on. It
seems that most are on track for their expected completion. |
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W-M Board Solidifies Administration |
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| Wakefield - July 20, 2009 The Wakefield-Marenisco School Board
solidified its administrative this evening, approving four contracts
for the coming year. Catherine Shamion has agreed to the contract
terms offered by the school district and comes on board as a part time
district superintendent.
Also accepting the district's offer, Matthew Spets, has agreed to be
the districts new Principal.
Both Shamion and Spets are from the area. Cathy previously worked
as Superintendent of the Ewen-Trout Creek School District. A small
school district performing in a big, big way. Cathy, from Silver City,
was largely responsible for keeping the White Pine District a float,
years longer than anyone ever had expected. |
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Mrs. Angela Londo also received a contract renewal in her capacity
as the District's Administrative Assistant. Angela received a step
increase in her new contract. Angela's contract, as well as all the
other contracts, were approved both unanimously and enthusiastically
by the Board of Directors.
In other business, after much deliberation. the board increased the
cost of school hot lunches by thirty cents. The lunch food program has
been losing money and the school auditors suggested that the program
be brought into the black. The district's finance committee also
recommended the price increase. It has been four years since the cost
of lunches was last increased. |
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The Linn family which settled in Wakefield in 1893 has requested
permission to place a plaque near an Oak tree that they planted
twenty-five years ago. Their family has had several family members
work for the district through the decades. They as a family place a
great deal of importance on education. In fact, many family members
have been employed as teachers outside the district as well as within
the district. The plaque will be placed near the Oak tree on the stump
of the tree that the former replaced. The dedication will be made in
August at a family reunion.
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Robert (Bob) Linn, who spoke before the board this evening, had to cut
short his education, in order to serve his country in WWII. Bob told
me that he and 15 other students, left Wakefield High to enter the
armed services.
Not one to quit easily, Bob later pursued his High School Diploma,
which he he received in 2002. In that same year, John was named
"Veteran of the Year". |
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Ironwood
Student on
MTU
Deans List |
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| July 9, 2009 Michigan Tech Student Kyle Torni,
has earned a place on the Spring 2009 Dean's List.
Kyle Torni, Ironwood resident an undergraduate student is
currently working on a research
internship at the University of Cincinnati.
Kyle has told his parents that he really enjoys the work
that he is doing at the U of Cinncinnati.
Kyle began looking for a research internship after changing
career interests from orthopedics to pediatric oncology (child
cancer). |
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Bessemer School Board Adds Second Kindergarten Teacher |
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| Bessemer - June 23, 2009 The Bessemer School Board approved
the hiring of a second Kindergarten teacher for the 2009/2010 school
year. Monday night at its regular monthly meeting , the board
unanimously approved the hiring of Theresa Guiliano as teacher for
its second full day Kindergarten class. Miss Guiliano worked
for the district as a part-time Title One teacher.
The board considered dividing the current one kindergarten class
into two class in the fall. The decision was reached after analyzing
the success of its current full day program.
At the April board meeting,
School
Superintendent
Mark Johnson
told the
board that the
Bessemer All Day
Kindergarten
program is
paying big
dividends. The
students
entering the
first grade
after attending
full day
Kindergarten
class are
showing an
amazing
improvement in
reading skills.
By reducing the kindergarten class size it is
believed that the students will benefit even more from the
additional time available to each student.
Before the full
day program
students
entering first
grade showed
only a 35%
reading
proficiency.
Since then the
students
entering the
first grade have
shown continued
improvement in
reading
proficiency. The
proficiency
level rose to
48% in 2007/2008
and to a reading
proficiency of
76% in
2008/2009.
In other personnel moves the district has
approved the hiring of Tyler Hubbard as the 50% Industrial
Technology Instructor at ADJ.
The board also approved hiring Jim Partanen as
the ADJ summer school instructor.
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Larry Kapugia
Ends Career
as Michigan Educator |
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| Wakefield - June 15, 2009 The Wakefield-Marenisco School Board said Goodbye to Larry
Kapugia last evening during its regular monthly meeting. Larry is
leaving to become the full time Administrator at the Mercer School
District. While at Wakefield Marenisco, he has been a steady force
in a time of fiscal upheaval in our educational system.
Larry, said thanks to the Board and reminded them that though
they can't control the districts revenues that they can control
some of the expenses. Larry will be leaving the Wakefield
Marienisco School District in sound fiscal standing. The district
has turned it around and most people feel the district is heading
in the right direction.
We at IronwoodInfo will miss Larry at the W-M School District. We
depended on Larry for reliable advice. Before committing to a
position on educational issues we would check with Larry before
writing the first syllable. Hopefully, we will continue to follow
his career in Mercer.
Best of Luck Mr. Kapugia, you deserve it! |
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Wakefield-Marenisco
School Board Closes Out 2008/09 School Year |
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| Wakefield - June 15, 2009 Art teacher, Mr. Engel spoke
to the board about the need for a storage facility that would be
used for athletic equipment, such as vault pits and football dummies.
That's dummies as in the dummies you hit at practice. Not the fans
or players. The board had considered this item in the past, however,
the plans had included restrooms which made the project too
expensive. Last night the board discussed the needs and the amount
of space that might be required for all the equipment. It was
decided to refer the idea to the buildings and site committee.
Two letters were read to the board under the correspondence section
of the agenda. The first, was a letter from Catherine Shamion. In
the letter Mrs. Shamion wrote "Thank you for the opportunity to
interview for the position of school administrator for the
Wakefield-Marenisco School District." "The Wakefield-Marenisco
School District and I would be a good combination." Stated Shamion.
She went on to say that " I had administrative experience in
small, rural districts and I have the local connection and history
of having grown up in and worked in the area. "
The board also received a letter from The True Value Foundation. The
letter was actually sent to Greg Loreti, Giovanoni's True Value
Hardware, Inc. in Hurley.
The subject of the letter was that True Value Foundation's Board
of Directors has approved a Painting a Brighter Future paint grant
of 40 gallons to Wakefield-Marenisco School District. The Grant was
applied for by Angela Londo the Districts Administrative Assistant.
The paint will be received between July 1 and August 31st and it
will be used to paint the Library and other areas in the building.
Mr. Lane was not present at the meeting, but he did submit the
monthly
athletic director's report. He summarized the results of the June
3rd, meeting of the Athletic Committee. Among several things he
reported that:
Varsity Football Jerseys are on sale, The jerseys were purchased
3-4 years ago for $56.00 each and will be sold for $20.00 per jersey
Football players and students have first option to purchase the
jerseys.
The committee is seeking quotes for new gym bleachers.
The football field has been fertilized at a cost of $320.
The coop football program: 37 varsity helmets will be repainted navy
blue and new jerseys will be ordered for junior varsity and varsity
players (navy blue and white).
Mr. Lane reminded the board of the "Summer Dead Period ", which is
June 29th through July 5th . During that period no contact is
permitted between school coaches and student athletes in grades
7-12, in any manner related to any sport sponsored by that school.
No sport activities may occur on school premises during this period
that involve school coaches or are sponsored by the school or
supported by the school.
The school board received its last "Principal Report" from former
principal Carrie Nyman.
Mrs. Nyman reported that the school year ended successfully with
various activities.
Mrs. Nyman told the board that "at our end of the year honors
assembly we were able to award both and junior high and elementary
MiBLSi award for positive behavior. The junior high gift certificate
was for $150 to Dunham's provided by our junior high MiBLSi fund and
awarded to Eric Lane. The elementary gift certificate was for $300
to Hobby Wheel provided by the GOISD MiBLSi funds and was awarded to
Allison LaRock. "
Mrs. Nyman told the board that the district had one applicant for
the vacant Math/Science position. Laura Erhart subbed in the class
for the last four weeks and did a great job. I am recommending that
the board of education hire Laura Erhart for the grade 9-12
Math/Science Position. Later in the meeting the board would approve
Ms. Erhart for the position.
At graduation Mrs. Rachel Stein did the honor of addressing our
senior class where we had sixteen graduates. I want to thank Mr.
Dalbec for handing out the diplomas. We also finished up the year
with a wellness walk and an elementary track and field day. Everyone
seemed to have an enjoyable time at these activities.
Mrs. Nyman wrote that "My last day in the building will be on
Wednesday, June 24th due to taking some vacation days. I am not
submitting a letter of resignation at this time on my remaining
contract of two years. As soon as I have a signed contract with the
other district, I will do so."
The board also heard from RESTORATION OF THE BREACH MINISTRIES by a
letter written by Roger Kolemainen regarding the Walk-in-
Cooler/Freezer that the district was trading in for their new
freezer/cooler. The letter was actually sent to the district but was
addressed to the successful bidder on the sale, which turned out to
be DLG Refrigeration Services, Ironwood, MI. Later in the meeting
DLG was awarded the purchase and installation of the Freezer/cooler.
The bid was for $27,800.
The board approved the Tax Levy Resolution for the new school year.
They also approved the 2009/2010 School Budget. The bid for milk
services was awarded to Jilbert Dairy.
The board also accepted the resignation from Brandon Makela as coach
of the boy's varsity basketball team. Mr. Makela, in his letter,
told the board "As hard as it is for me to walk away from coaching, I feel that this is necessary for me to be
able to put in the time needed to maintain the driver education
program.". He went on to say " I thought about trying to coach
basketball and teach driver education during the same time. However,
I feel if I tried to do both simultaneously, I would do a poor job
at both positions. "
The board voted to hire Michael Thill for the vacant Freshman Class
Advisor, High School Quiz Bowl Advisor, and Class Play Advisor.
Mrs Torkko was hired to be the new Head Cook position. The district
will now post the support positions for the Hot Lunch Program.
The board then said goodbye and best wishes to Mr. Ryskey who closed
out his position on the school board and also said goodbye to Larry
"Bud" Kapugia who has retired from his position as School District
Superintendent. |
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Local
Student
Begins
Research Internship |
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| Ironwood May 21, 2009 Kyle Torni, Ironwood
resident and MTU Undergraduate student will be starting a a research
internship June 1st at the University of Cincinnati.
Kyle began looking for a research internship after changing
career interests from orthopedics to pediatric oncology (child
cancer).
After looking at several institutions across the country Kyle got
in contact with David Plas, a professor at the University Of
Cincinnati in the Cancer and Cell Biology department.
Kyle told Professor Plas about his interest in cancer research
and within a few days he received a call back. The professor told
Kyle that he would like to help in getting an internship at the
university.
After applying to the fellowship and corresponding with the
director of the program, Kyle received word that he was accepted
into the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) in the
department of Cancer and Cell Biology.
Kyle will start work on June first, and will finish the 10 week
program on August 7th.
Kyle will be staying in the dorms at Xavier University and commuting
to UC every day.
He will be researching the biology of cancer cells; more
specifically, the various mechanisms of apoptosis (programmed cell
death) in the proliferation of cancer cells. Cancer cells are, in a
sense, cells that do not die. They continue to grow and proliferate
uncontrollably and destroy any surrounding healthy tissue.
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IASD Bracing
For Large Deficit |
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| Ironwood - May 22, 20099-The IASD Board heard sobering news
from Superintendent James Rayner. At Mondays Board Meeting
Rayner told the board that it's llikely that the 2009/10 fiscal
year could be in for a serious shortfall. With the Title I
revenue included in the figures, but not Title I expenses there
could be a $150,000 deficit. There are some factors that could
reduce the amount of red ink however, not all the expenses have
been included. It could turn out that Ironwood will finish the
2009-10 school year around a quarter of a million short of a
balanced budget.
Items contributing to the problem include a large increase in
health insurance cost and declining enrollment. While the next
kindergarten class will have 50+ students that would still be 30
less students than the graduating class it replaces.
Board members are counting on the closing of Norrie School to
help the bottom line, however, the completion date of the new
addition is far off in the future and the resulting savings are
another year past that date. |
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Bessemer School
Board
Approves Summer School Program |
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| Bessemer - April 29, 2009 The Bessemer School Board
unanimously approved the 2009 Elementary Summer School Program which
will consist of a four week split session with two teachers teaching
three hours and 15 minutes per day 4 days per week. The action
was taken at the Board's monthly meeting.
The board approved increasing the per student fee for driver's ed
to $350. The prior charge was $325 per student. There 38 students
signed up for the program.
The board approved the payment of debt retirement in the amount
of $186,167.50
The GOISD Budget resolution was rejected by the board in a
unanimous vote.
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| The board unanimously approved the evaluation report of Mark
Johnson local Administrator. |
| The board withdrew the pink slip for Theresa Giuliano a
part-time Title -1 teacher and in other personnel action
regrettably accepted the resignation of Miss Sabrina Gheller as
Varsity-Jr. Varsity Cheerleading advisor. The board approved the
immediate posting of the vacant position. With respect to
athletics:
The board also approved four bus trips for the baseball team to
Baraga Rockland Hancock and Ewen.
The board approved the hiring of three coaches for
the co-op football teams. Bruce Mahler was hired as the assistant
varsity football coach. Patrick Libertoski and Jim Dahlin were hired
as junior high football coaches.
Approximately 50 kids have indicated an interest in
fall football. On the varsity level there is one coach for each ten
students. There are only two coaches for the fifty Jr. High
students, which creates a need for more coaches.
The school board also approved the list of students eligible for
this year's graduation. |
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Gene Goss Head Teacher at the Washington School gave his monthly
report to the board.
Gene advised the board of the events of the last month and also the
upcoming Spring Concert on May 7th and the upcoming 6th grade
venture to Camp Superior.
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Bessemer School
Board
Approves Summer School Program |
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| Bessemer - April 29, 2009 The Bessemer School Board
unanimously approved the 2009 Elementary Summer School Program which
will consist of a four week split session with two teachers teaching
three hours and 15 minutes per day 4 days per week. The action
was taken at the Board's monthly meeting.
The board approved increasing the per student fee for driver's ed
to $350. The prior charge was $325 per student. There 38 students
signed up for the program.
The board approved the payment of debt retirement in the amount
of $186,167.50
The GOISD Budget resolution was rejected by the board in a
unanimous vote.
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| The board unanimously approved the evaluation report of Mark
Johnson local Administrator. |
| The board withdrew the pink slip for Theresa Giuliano a
part-time Title -1 teacher and in other personnel action
regrettably accepted the resignation of Miss Sabrina Gheller as
Varsity-Jr. Varsity Cheerleading advisor. The board approved the
immediate posting of the vacant position. With respect to
athletics:
The board also approved four bus trips for the baseball team to
Baraga Rockland Hancock and Ewen.
The board approved the hiring of three coaches for
the co-op football teams. Bruce Mahler was hired as the assistant
varsity football coach. Patrick Libertoski and Jim Dahlin were hired
as junior high football coaches.
Approximately 50 kids have indicated an interest in
fall football. On the varsity level there is one coach for each ten
students. There are only two coaches for the fifty Jr. High
students, which creates a need for more coaches.
The school board also approved the list of students eligible for
this year's graduation. |
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Gene Goss Head Teacher at the Washington School gave his monthly
report to the board.
Gene advised the board of the events of the last month and also the
upcoming Spring Concert on May 7th and the upcoming 6th grade
venture to Camp Superior.
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Bessemer Full
Day Kindergarten
Paying Dividends
in Reading
Scores! |
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| Bessemer -
April 3, 2009
School
Superintendent
Mark Johnson
told the
Bessemer School
Board that the
Bessemer All Day
Kindergarten
program is
paying big
dividends. The
students
entering the
first grade
after attending
full day
Kindergarten
class are
showing an
amazing
improvement in
reading skills.
Before the full
day program
students
entering first
grade showed
only a 35%
reading
proficiency.
Since then the
students
entering the
first grade have
shown continued
improvement in
reading
proficiency. The
proficiency
level rose to
48% in 2007/2008
and to a reading
proficiency of
76% in
2008/2009.
The overall
objectives of
the full day
kindergarten
have been very
successful
overall and as a
result thee
Bessemer School
Board has
decided to
continue the
full day program
through the
2009-2010 school
year. |
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Ewen Trout Creek School District
Still in Charge of its Own Destiny |
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Ewen - March 31, 2009
A large number of ETC's
employees, parents and students
came to the Monday evening
school board meeting to find out
what the board intended to do
about the current school
deficit. The district has a 1.5
million dollar deficit.
The Superintendent gave the
school board until the close of
business March 30th to submit an
acceptable deficit reduction
plan to the State Department of
Education.
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All of those gathered for
the disposition of the staffing
changes waited through a closed
session that lasted more than
one hour.
When the board meeting returned
to open session board member,
John Pinkerton read a letter
received from Michael Flanagan,
Superintendent of Michigan
Education.
|
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Flanagan thanked the board
members for meeting with himself
and his staff a few weeks ago.
The meeting was done by
teleconferencing. Flanagan did
not accept an invitation to come
to the district and hold the
meeting at ETC.
The meeting was also Intended to
provide insight in to whether or
not it would become necessary to
determine that the district has
a "serious financial problem"
that would require the state to
initiate the first steps of the
Local Government Fiscal
Responsibility Act CPA 72 of
1990).
Flanagan told the board " As you
probably know, this could result
In the appointment of an
emergency financial manager.
This individual would be granted
responsibility for all financial
operations in the district
including the authority to
renegotiate both employee and
service contracts, reprioritize
spending and payment schedules,
privatize services, recommend
the reorganization or
consolidation of the district,
sell or authorize the disposal
or use of assets, and exercise
all other authority over school
district
. financial decisions. "
As specified by Flanagan "By
statute, an emergency financial
manager is Installed to
right-size a district's
financial situation. The manager
is appointed for a term of one
year. It is likely that a
manager would attempt to make
all necessary budget reductions
Within that one year term, and
may do so without the regard or
sensitivity a local school board
would normally afford In making
these decisions. In effect, the
local school board would lose
its authority to influence those
decisions. "
It was Flanagan's viewpoint that
"Based on our meeting, I think
the district's board and
administration have the ability
to effect the necessary Changes
and I will not proceed with PA
72 at this time. However, that
will require the Ewen Trout
Creek School Board To make very
tough decisions immediately to
assure that the district budgets
for 2008-09 and following years
show significant progress In
eliminating the deficit.
The State Superintendent made it
perfectly clear that the Ewen-Trout
Creek Consolidated District must
provide a Deficit Elimination
Plan that meets the following
requirements:
The DEP must show a positive
fund balance at the end of
Fiscal Year 2011-12. In keeping
with our policy In other
districts; we will expect the
district to show an approximate
annual deficit reduction of
$500,000 until It disappears
completely In June of 2012.
The DEP must provide assurance
that the district Is working in
cooperation with the Gogebic
Ontonagon Intermediate School
District to develop a plan for
shared services. The DEP
narrative should Include mention
of the services consolidated and
a planned implementation date.
We will follow up with separate
correspondence to Bruce Mayle at
the ISD to facilitate thIs
process.
The local school board must
provide assurance that it has
seriously contemplated all
current employee contracts and
begun to reduce the staffing and
expenditures to levels
commensurate with the revenue
and pupil counts, We would also
encourage the board to explore
what other districts of similar
size and revenue base are doing
to provide educational services.
We will be looking for the
results of this exploration in
the expanded narrative portion
of the DEP.
Once the DEP is adopted the
board must actively participate
In the budget process to assure
that plan is implemented.
Monthly budgetary control
reports showing the district's
progress on the plan will be
submitted to MDE for review.
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Flanagan finished his letter
stating "I understand MDE staff
members have followed up with
you in subsequent weeks and are
working with you to develop an
appropriate deficit elimination
plan. As Indicated In the
meeting, however, it is your
responsibility to adopt a
financial plan and budget to
assure that limited financial
resources available to the
district are utilized
lnnovatively and appropriately.
As you know; we are quite
concerned with the severity of
the deficit as the longer a
district remains in deficit the
more difficult it Is for the
board to assure a quality
education to current and future
pupils. I know you share these
concerns and I look forward to
hearing of your progress. "
Following the reading of the
letter ETC School Superintenden,
Lee Lindberg proposed the
following corrections to the
proposed budget.
Reduce the school year to 147
days
Eliminate one bus route
Eliminate Transportation
Director
Reduce BST Teacher, a Phys Ed
Teacher and a counselor to 5/7
time
Reduce 2 social studies position
to 5/7 time.
Eliminate one elementary 3rd
grade teacher position
Eliminate one part-time
science/math H.S. position
Eliminate Life Skills teaching
position
Eliminate one Jr. High School
teaching position
There was as could be expected a
great deal of discussion
following Mr. Lindberg's
announcement. He and the board
made it very clear that they
were making these cuts because
of the state mandate. No one has
come forward with a more viable
solution to the fiscal dilemma.
The board voted to accept the
recommendations of the District
Superintendent. |
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Bessemer School District
Says "YES" to Literacy |
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| Bessemer - March 24, 2009 Monday evening the Bessemer School watched
the Power point presentation by Jean Massie from
the G.O.I.S.D. This the same presentation on a
Literacy Program previously given to the
Ironwood and Wakefield-Marenisco school
districts.
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After many questions and much deliberations
the Bessemer Board joined Wakefield-Marenisco in
approving the program that will provide for
reading coaches to the school district. Like W-M
the vote was contingent on the cost of the
program remaining at or below the $40,000
projected costs. Also, Bessemer's vote is
contingent upon receiving the Grant Money that
is suppose to be available to the district.
You may recall that the Ironwood School District
voted no to Literacy last month, when board
chairman Steve Thomas stated he didn't
understand the program.
Read more information about to the Literacy
Program |
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Ironwood Schools Say No to Literacy |
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| The Ironwood School Board
said no Monday night to a plan to improve
the districts reading scores. The GOISD has
been promoting a proven program to the area
schools. The concept has been used
successfully in Watersmeet for many years.
You can
read about this successful program in
IronwooodInfo. The main detractor was
Steve Thomas who keeps saying "I don't
understand". This seems to be his theme
throughout many school board meetings.
It's amazing to think that someone who
thinks he knows it all could say "I don't
understand" so often. Just a couple of
months ago he couldn't understand the
numbers that Superintendent Jim Rayner
presented as the projected deficit, then
went on to give his fellow union members an
unaffordable pay raise. He should have
been on top of his form with respects to the
deficit. After all, he and his cronies
created it. It was Superintendent Rayner who
solved the previous deficit . Now once again Thomas is spending
the district into another huge deficit. We
can all agree that "he just doesn't understand."
Besides, not understanding Thomas has a
lot to learn about running a meeting. Monday
night when someone in the audience wished to
ask a question. He barked no you
can't. Obviously he can't understand why
other school districts don't want much to do with
him or his district. |
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| The students of Ironwood have already
begun to pay for the Board's bad management.
Monday night twenty two teachers were pink
slipped. Of course only half or less
of those termination notices will stick.
Pink slips is an act of gamesmanship between
the board and the union. We think that
pink slips should only be used on a Barbie
Dolls and that students should get the
education that they are entitled to receive.
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| Oddly enough at one point Principal
Tim Kolesar commented that other school
districts don't want to co-op with Ironwood.
Perhaps he should reflect on last year's
attempt by Ironwood to takeover neighboring
school districts. He should also listen to
the tape of Monday evening's meeting
and the lack of understanding by Steve Thomas.
Then he may start to get
the message. |
| One final note for Ironwood Taxpayers.
The Revised school handbook was rejected for
plagiarism. It seems the name "DeWitt"
showed up too often. Taxpayers may recall
that DeWitt is the hometown of the down state
speculators "Hovey LCC" The same speculators
that this strapped for cash school board
exempted from paying any taxes to the
district! |
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Stimulus to fill Michigan
school-funding gap |
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February 23, 2009
Public schools won't have to absorb a $59-per-pupil cut in state aid, thanks to the federal stimulus that will hand Michigan billions of dollars over the next two years, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Thursday.
Federal rules prohibit states that use education stimulus money from cutting funds to schools and universities below this year's levels, Granholm said.
"The local districts, through the stimulus, will not see a reduction in the per-pupil foundation grant," Granholm said.
But she warned school districts to tighten their belts because the federal windfall won't be available two years from now. By then, the state School Aid Fund will be short of cash unless schools cut spending, or the state reduces payments to schools.
Michigan also will receive $900 million in stimulus money for special education and programs for at-risk students. It was unclear how the extra money would affect local schools' budgets.
Without the added federal funds or state spending cuts, the School Aid Fund faces a $230-million deficit next fiscal year, according to the Senate Fiscal Agency.
Granholm said the restrictions on not cutting school budgets if stimulus money is used may not apply to other proposed cuts, such as adult education, early childhood and advanced studies programs.
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Wakefield Board
Commitment To Technology |
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| Wakefield - February 18, 2009 |
| Wakefield Marinesco Student Melissa Sawaski received a certificate recognizing her achievement in a CAD class she is taking at GCC. Melissa, was named as the CD and Design Student of the Second Quarter.
Read More
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IASD Selects Newest
Member |
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| February 17, 2009 The Ironwood
Area School Board held its regular February
meeting last. The board wasted no time in
appointing a new member to their ranks. The
board unanimously appointed Doug
Palmeter to fill the vacant position
created by Linda Dean's resignation.
Palmeter was a difficult choice for the
board. He was the only choice. Given the
profile and history of the current board it
should come as no surprise that no one else
offered to enter the arena.
Read More |
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School Districts Fear Budget Cuts |
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| Declines in state revenue could create
deficits |
January 8, 2009
The January revenue conference -- when lawmakers
meet to begin deciding how much money the state
will have for next year's budget -- has an
ominous feel for many Michigan school
administrators this year.
They gratefully accepted an early Christmas
present from the state, when Gov. Jennifer
Granholm announced that midyear budget cuts
would not affect schools.
But with 54% of Michigan's districts holding
less than the recommended 15% of their budget in
savings, and about one third of the districts
approaching dangerously low levels of savings,
administrators will be nervously watching the
conference -- which starts Jan. 9 -- and hoping
there will be enough money in next year's budget
to keep their programs going.
Read More |
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