Ironwood approves golf team, opens door for co-op

By RICHARD JENKINS

[email protected]

Ironwood — The Red Devils will be hitting the links in spring for another year, as the Ironwood Area Schools Board of Education authorized the team for the upcoming season Monday, as well as approving the possibility of a co-op team with students from the Bessemer and Wakefield-Marenisco districts.

The board had approved the team to compete last year, but re-approval was needed as the motion stated it was to be on a one-year trial basis. While the board’s motion didn’t specifically address the issue, the approval also paves the way for district officials to file papers with the Michigan High School Athletic Association to allow students from the neighboring districts to participate.

“I would like to go into the co-op,” coach Brian Roehm said when raising the issue during public comment. “(It’s) more opportunity for more kids; more opportunity for parents and coaches to help out.”

Last year, Roehm had 10 boys and three girls join the team. He said the students have signaled a similar level of interest at the end of year meeting and while he doesn’t need the co-op this spring, it would open up additional opportunities — such as potentially fielding a full girls team.

He said the other schools would likely be willing to participate in the co-op team.

“They have expressed interest in other kids there wanting to golf,” Roehm told the board.

Several board members said they also heard positive feedback from students on the golf team and interest from other schools about participating.

“Parents from Wakefield did approach me at one point and said they would be interested … so why not extend the hand of sportsmanship,” Pam Niemi asked.

While golf is a spring sport, deadlines to file the necessary paperwork for the team to compete may be due as early as mid-October, according to information presented at the meeting.

In other action:

—The board approved the district’s School Improvement Plan for the year.

—The board accepted the retirement of special education teacher Paula Magdziak-Martinson, as well as the resignations of Michelle Trier as freshman class advisor and Sue Pertile as the girls JV basketball coach. The board hired Shelly Brauer to replace Magdziak-Martinson, David Andresen as freshman class advisor and Cheryl Jacisin as sophomore class advisor. The board also hired John Lorenson, Jean Sandell and Brittany Lehto as lunch/recess monitor; with Laurie Miller, Karin Lesinski, Vanessa Halverson and Gregory Bressette as substitute support staff.