Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton-Portage Township Schools Board President Nels Christopherson presents the Copper Country association of School Boards award to John Christianson, who retired this year after 38 years with the district.

HOUGHTON — The Houghton-Portage Township Schools Board approved contracts with two unions and contracts with professional staff at its monthly meeting Monday.

Teachers with the Michigan Education Association agreed to a one-year contract with a 2% raise.

Support staff with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees agreed to a three-year contract. They will receive a 2.5% raise in the first year, followed by 2% and 1.67% in subsequent years.

Professional staff were also given raises comparable to those in the teacher contract.

“It went very smoothly this year,” said Superintendent Doreen Kramer. “We’re very appreciative of our teachers and our staff in our district for what they do all year long.”

In other action, the board:

– Presented the Copper Country Association of School Boards Outstanding Education Employee award to John Christianson, who retired at the end of the school year. Christianson taught for 38 years with the district, and coached volleyball for 31 years.

– Heard a report from Athletic Director John Sanregret. The district had a positive experience with the new softball and baseball fields, which hosted district games for baseball and softball as well as a regional baseball game between Iron Mountain and Gladstone.

– Heard a report from High School Principal Cole Klein. He said the outdoors graduation ceremony had been wonderful. He is working on filling four or five positions at the school for the coming year.

– Heard a report from Elementary School Principal Anders Hill. The school held field Day activities over two weeks near the end of school. During a fifth-grade banner presentation, the school gave away 150 gift cards and a new bicycle.

– Heard reports on the Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) and Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB).

– Approved the monthly COVID-19 instructional delivery method. Next month will likely be the last time the resolution is required, Kramer said.

– Approved levying 17.4561 operating mills and 9.64 mills for debt retirement next year.

– Approved second reading of NEOLA policy updates.