L'ANSE -The L'Anse Area Schools Board of Education approved probationary contracts for 11 teachers and tenure for two others as part of a busy regular meeting Monday night.
The board unanimously approved a second-year probationary contract for Viktoria Santti; third-year probationary contracts for Emily Gasperich, Stacey Erskine, Kimberly Payne, Linda Lohmann, Rachel Cox and Anna Bradfish; fourth-year probationary contracts for Kurt Anderson, Robert Bohlsen, Elizabeth Lloyd and Amanda Rinkinen; and tenure for Jennifer Wilson and Anne Schumer.
In other business the board:
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Stephen Anderson/Daily Mining Gazette
C.J. Sullivan Elementary School Principal Tom Sprague shares his concerns about Camp Nesbit as Jr./Sr. High School Principal Carrie Meyer listens in during the L’Anse Area Schools Board of Education’s regular meeting Monday.
approved the Copper Country Intermediate School District's proposed budget resolution.
approved a three-year technology plan for July 1, 2012 through July 30, 2015.
approved separate staff and student Network and Internet Acceptable Use & Safety Policies.
approved a budget planning policy that read in part, "The L'Anse Area Schools Board of Education will budget on a continual basis for a 15 percent fund balance. When a 15 percent fund balance is achieved, it shall be maintained on an annual basis."
approved the implementation of an Ojibwa Language class at C.J. Sullivan Elementary School "provided the program meets all the requirements of the state of Michigan. ... All funding for the program will originate from approved school grants under the sole authority of the district and that no state foundation allowance revenues will be forfeited or used for this program. Superintendent is directed and authorized to implement local guidelines which shall operate for the 2012-13 school year only. Continuance of the program beyond the 2012-13 school year is subject to appropriate funding and board approval."
heard a detailed report on a tentative budget from Laura Mathieu, business manager.
"It isn't a final revised budget, but it's close to it," she said.
The district anticipates increases in local revenue totaling $42,000, $73,535 in per-pupil funding from the state (based on a 735-student blended count), salary increases of about $32,000 but reductions in benefits due to only one of three eligible people collecting unemployment, and $77,000 extra in grant funding. The district faced a $24,000 unexpected expense for boiler problems last year, and will also face added costs due to its 1:1 Initiative, which will put a mobile technology device in the hands of every student in the district.
"Overall, we did OK," Superintendent Ray Pasquali said. "We're still running a significant deficit and that will be corrected."
received a suggestion from C.J. Sullivan Elementary School Principal Tom Sprague to look into alternative options for sixth-grade students besides Camp Nesbit.
"It's becoming very, very expensive," he said. "I'm not sure we're getting the educational bang for the buck for a three-day camping trip."
He, the board and administration all recognized the value of the tradition, but said looking at alternatives is an option.
"I just want to plant the thought out there," Sprague said.
heard a recommendation from parent Lisa Tarvainen to look into the CCISD's Regional Education Media Center as a technology and network provider for the district.
"(REMC Director) Mike Richardson and (CCISD Superintendent) Dennis Harbour would be willing to come down at any time to discuss any of these things," Tarvainen said. "I know L'Anse Area Schools has been in long-term contracts ... but sometimes you have to change things."
Pasquali said he is open to discussions.
heard a concern from Tarvainen about parking and traffic concerns at the school.
"Somebody needs to be there to be monitoring that more closely," she said.
The board agreed and maintenance and transportation director John Juntunen will look into better enforcement options.
heard a student report from Heather McCarthy announcing student council representatives for next school year.