Vanessa Dietz/Daily Mining Gazette L’Anse Area School Board members Vice-President Jim Fedie, Eva Marie Hatfield, Joan Bugni and Christine Collins, and High School Principal Melissa Scroggs and Elementary Principal John Nawrot are pictured from the left at Monday’s board meeting, the last for Hatfield who will concentrate on earning her master’s degree.

L’ANSE – The library at L’Anse Area Schools added five hours to the time it’s open to the public.

“This provides the opportunity for high school students to use at two days a week during lunch and each class period of the day,” said Superintendent Susan Tollefson. The library is now open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Friday, and from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

In other news at the library, old yearbooks are now available to view and borrow, adult nutrition classes start in January, and movie nights and the Lego Club have been well attended.

“Libraries are evolving into community centers,” said board member Joan Bugni.

In other news, Tollefson updated the board on plans for using money from a sinking fund millage voters approved in November.

“(L’Anse Area Schools Head of Maintenance) Mike Roth and I met to discuss details regarding specifications for replacement of the old high school roof,” Tollefson told the board. “This would need to be put out on bids prior to spring. The plan is to request proposals for the installation of a Duro-Last roof system with at least a 20-year warranty. The bid out specifications will be shared with the board prior to it being bid out.

“So far it’s been going very well,” Tollefson said.

The superintendent has also been busy seeking funds from other sources for enhanced security.

“I submitted an application for a Michigan State Police competitive grant for school security,” Tollefson said. “I requested funding to add some additional interior cameras and to install exterior cameras, as well as a remote locking mechanism for the library entrance and some new radios. I am thankful to the four local law enforcement agencies who provided letters of support for this grant.

“We will be notified in February if we receive funding,” Tollefson said. “Even if we are granted a portion of this, it would be helpful.”

The elementary and high school principals reported on various recent student activities.

“Thirteen LAS elementary and four LAS middle school students … attended the Houghton Math Jam held at Houghton High School on Dec. 10,” said C.J. Sullivan Elementary School Principal John Narwot. “Students had the opportunity to compete both individually and as part of a four person team, as well as in the lightning-fast ‘guts’ team round.

“We should be very proud of all our students who participated on a Saturday in this very challenging competition,” Narwot added.

“Some of the students placed in the top 10,” Tollefson said.

Narwot also shared that the PTO received a $5,000 grant from Weyhauser toward the playground project.

In related action, the board acknowledged receipt of $20,864 in 2-percent funds from Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, to be used for the playground and High 5 mentoring program.

“That’s pretty nice,” said Vice-President Jim Fedie, who chaired Monday’s meeting.

High School Principal Melissa Scroggs said the Student Leadership Team has been very positive about their interactions with students from other schools at meetings. She also mentioned that the Health Occupations Students of America group is making plans to attend their regional competition.

In other action, the board approved:

• Updated Neola policies regarding technology that the following areas: the need to update our technology plan, crowdfunding policy, such as Go Fund Me or Donors Choose, and the social media policy.

• An unpaid leave of absence to Janet Nevala through the end of this school year.