Among the newly completed bond projects at Hancock Schools is the fab lab (fabrication lab) that features wall graphics created by students. (Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — After of chaotic summer of construction, replacing retiring staff, and racing against time, Hancock Public Schools is ready to greet the students returning next Tuesday.  The bond projects are all but completed, except for a few minor details. Among the changes greeting students and families  are safer drop-off and pick-up areas, brand new STEM labs and even new teachers.

“The fab/STEM labs are 100% complete,” Superintendent Chris Salani said. “We’re saying about 99.9% of our exterior work is complete.”

A couple of items remain, including adding signage, some fencing that remains to be completed at the Barkell Elementary School, particularly entering the playground, Salani said, so there is temporary signage there.

A heavy rain that struck on Tuesday washed away some newly planted grass at the elementary school, and will shortly be repaired.

“But, by and large, it’s all done, so we’re excited to have students and family come back and have a little showcase event with them,” he said.

In addition to new amenities to assist in learning, the students will meet a number of new staff members, at Barkell, as well as in the middle and high schools. A number of the new hires are Bulldog graduates, said Salani.

“Rejean Kangas, a former Bulldog who has been working downstate in STEM and science fields, has been hired in the manufacturing curriculum. Christi Heinonen, who retired as a kindergarten teacher, is back in the kindergarten teacher position.

“A lot of our parapros we’ve hired are alumni, Salani said. “So, again, it’s keeping that Bulldog identity.”

There is new leadership this year, as well. Karen Eddy has recently been appointed as the superintendent at Barkell, replacing Dan Vaara who has retired. Although officially retired, he will lend support to both the elementary school and the middle school.

At the high school – middle school, Hanna Asiala, who is on maternity leave, submitted her resignation as principal. While the school searches for a new principal, Salani will serve as interim principal for both the middle and high schools.

“We have a full bevy between sports and just getting kids acclimated, particularly when it comes to just the flow, and access, and movement, of both campuses, will be a new learning curve as well, especially with the new parking lot setups.”

Overall, Salani said he is happy with where the school is at, given the summer and construction, and still being a bit short on staffing.

“I am extremely happy about the step we can finally move forward with, with our STEM labs, and with the new Industrial Arts teacher, Fred Jaehnig. Jaehnig replaces Gary Mishica who retired in June, after 39 years in the Hancock schools.