×

L’Anse approves contract for Turpeinen

L’ANSE — The L’Anse Area Schools (LAS) board of education unanimously approved a first-year probationary contract for Kendra Turpeinen, a new English teacher at the high school, at Monday night’s meeting.

“I’m a Copper Country native,” Turpeinen told the board.

After graduating with her bachelor’s, she said she felt a call to adventure that led her to take her first job at a boarding school in China. She later returned to the U.P., “because this is home.”

She earned her master’s degree and taught in the Chassell Township School system. She left teaching and earned her doctorate through Walden University, researching teacher mentoring. Specifically, she wanted to attempt to support new teachers in small rural schools through digital mentoring.

“All my participants were in schools with towns of population of like 6,000,” she said. “So smaller than L’Anse, even.”

After graduating in May of this year, she says she’s ready to get back to work.

“Everything I’ve heard here has been very positive,” Superintendent Susan Tollefson said.

The board also unanimously approved a bid from Northern Painting to paint the press box at Volunteer Field purple to match the new concession stand and bathroom building constructed this year.

LAS will also be seeking a millage renewal at the polls this November. Because of the Headlee Amendment, LAS had to “rollback” their normal 18 mils to 17.942 mils last year. These “Headlee Rollbacks” are required when annual growth on existing property outpaces inflation.

LAS will seek to renew the 17.942 mils, and seek an additional .5 mils, to be used only as much as needed to make up the .058 to reach the maximum of 18 mils, according to Tollefson.

These millages only apply to non-homestead property, like rental units, vacation homes and business properties. The money is used for day-to-day expenses like teacher compensation and classroom supplies, according to Tollefson.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today