NIEMI

LAKE LINDEN — In the Upper Peninsula, the pride of a community is its school, Ivan Niemi has found.

“We’re not the richest area in the world, but I think our schools really are something to be proud of and I want to be a part of it,” he said.

As of Monday night, he is. Niemi was sworn in as the newest member of the Lake Linden-Hubbell Board of Education at Monday’s meeting.

Ivan Niemi was appointed last week at a special board meeting. He replaces Stacey Sedar, who resigned from the board last month.

Niemi, a Marquette native, fell in love with the area when he attended Michigan Technological University. He moved around after graduation, but was able to move back to the area four years ago. He lives in the district with his wife and their four children, all Lake Linden students.

“I came in without an agenda,” he said. “I think a lot of people are sort of biased, come in as firebrands and want to change a bunch of things, but I think everybody’s doing a good job. I just wanted to help serve and volunteer my time.”

One meeting in, Niemi said he was enjoying his time on the board.

“These folks are really nice,” he said. “Super-helpful. I think it went good. It’s a well-oiled machine.”

In other action, the board:

— Recognized student athletes for honors earned during the 2021 football and volleyball seasons.

— Approved revised board committee assignments.

— Approved hiring Emily Haynes as head varsity girls track coach for the 2021-22 school year.

— Approved imposing a summer property tax levy to collect property taxes, including debt services,upon property located within the school district, and continuing from year to year until specifically revoked by the board.

— Approved a snow removal services bid for $2,200 for month.