For the Gazette

ONTONAGON – Repair and possible replacement of buses, along with bringing a school resource officer to the school were two of the main topics at Monday’s Ontonagon Area School District Board meeting.

The board voted unanimously to go on contract with the Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department to provide a school resource officer for up to three hours per week. The officer would be paid $16.42 per hour from the district’s operating budget.

“I’ve seen this at another school, and it works out (well),” board member Karen Jackson said.

OASD Superintendent/Principal James Bobula presented the proposal to the board.

“It’s not just for safety and security, but it (also) builds a good relationship between the Sheriff’s Department and the students,” Bobula said.

Bobula said he will be working on a grant in the future to have this position paid, and possibly expand the amount of hours that the officer would be on the grounds.

Maintenance contractor Robert Graham was asked questions regarding bus repair bills. He said he is doing everything he can to keep the older buses running.

When asked if he could remove the physically challenged lift from one bus and move it to another existing bus, Graham said, “No, the buses are built with them.”

The upcoming Nov. 8 school busing millage vote was also discussed. If the millage passes by the voters in the school district, two new buses will be purchased immediately.

The seven year bond is for a total of four new buses. For the 2017-18 school years, the millage rate would be 0.07.

“Otherwise it will average out to 0.4 mills, given current property values,” said Board President Dean Juntunen. “Our bus fleet is aged, and after this year a couple of our oldest buses will no longer be MDOT-certifiable, due to corrosion issues.”

Bobula informed the board that he and students will be attending the Oct. 24 Ontonagon Village Council meeting to answer questions and give out information about the bus bond and sinking fund millage.

According to Juntunen, the second proposal is a 10-year sinking fund. This will be at a millage rate of 1.5. With a bond proposal, the money would be borrowed up front.

“Multiple projects would be completed in the first year, with payments continuing for 10 years, including interest. The beauty of a sinking fund is that no interest is paid. Also, projects are completed on an as-needed basis as funds become available,” Juntenen said.

The board voted unanimously to hire Andy Borseth as varsity boys basketball coach. Also hired was Brittany Turin for junior high boys basketball and Carly Adams and Krystal Clark as interim co-coaches for junior varsity volleyball for the rest of the season.

The district is seeking bids for wood chips for its boiler heating system.

The board approved this year’s curriculum handbook.