Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JAN TUCKER
Ontonagon — The Ontonagon Area Board of Education Monday voted to renew its contract with superintendent Jim Bobula. The terms of the new one year contract will be determined prior to June 30.
The board also adopted the Superintendents evaluation which gave Bobula high marks for his guidance of the Ontonagon Area District.
With 4 points as outstanding, the majority of items ranged from 3.80 to 4 points. The evaluation, now required by the state, includes student growth data, collected from teacher evaluations. In the evaluations, Bobula received a “highly effective” rating.
The district’s administrative staff, Business Services Manager Linda Karttunen and Assistant Business Services Manager Kristie Ollila also received renewals of their contracts with the district.
Bobula informed the board that he met with Ewen Trout Creek Superintendent Allen Tulppo to discuss the possibilities of Collaboration between the two school. He said sharing of staff and distance learning technology is an area which should be explored.
The board approved the 2016-2017 school calendar which reflects 180 days in session, beginning September 6 and ending June 8. Bobula noted school will start slightly later during the next school year. He explained it will give the plows a few more minutes during bad weather. Elementary school will begin at 8:20 a.m. and end at 3:20 p.m. High School will begin at 8:15 a.m. and end at 3:26 p.m.
The board approved a contract with Holland Bus Company, which authorized the districts certified automotive technician to do warranty work on the district buses and enables the Ontonagon District to do warranty work on other school buses outside the district.
Bobula said the move will save the district money, since the previous repair facility was three hours each way. The superintendent added that it was hoped that perhaps other districts might wish to have their work done in Ontonagon as well.
Megan Hagen and Luke Safford were granted tenure with the district. Emily Carpenter, Roxie Arnott and Lande Stafford were granted continuing probationary status.
In other action, the board:
— Approved an overnight trip request from Ben Mayer to take band students to Chicago April 28-29 and approved the request of Tammy Lancioni to take the senior class to Mall of America and Waterpark of America April 15-16.
— Will seek bids for lawn care services for the summer.
— Commended the Ontonagon Elementary Basketball committee for the tourney held over the weekend, with 28 teams participating from many areas and commended the team who disinfected the school after the recent flu outbreak.
