Chris Goettl
Superintendent Beth Schwarz announced that local business owner and parent Chris Goettl has announced his interest in running as a write-in candidate for the school board in School District 166 District 3. The district consists of the western part of Grand Marais to the Pike Lake and Cascade area. No candidates had filed to run for the position which is up for election in November. The spot is currently held by Ann Sullivan who will not be seeking re-election due to residency requirements. Sullivan was appointed to replace Mary Sanders who retired from the board last year.
The school board of ISD 166 at their September 18, 2014 meeting unanimously approved the maximum preliminary property tax levy at an increase of about five percent. The final levy amount which will be set in December may be less than that but cannot exceed the five percent maximum increase. The annual truth in taxation hearing will take place at the board’s regular meeting 6:00 p.m. December 18, 2014.
Cook County Auditor Braidy Powers attended the meeting and asked the board to decline an abatement bond request. The county is seeking the bond for the Superior National at Lutsen golf course. By having another taxing district such as the school decline, it allows for the county to issue the abatement bond over a period of 20 years rather than 15 years. The longer term means smaller annual payments on the bonds.
District considers Indigenous People Day
Board member Deb White introduced three handouts asking the board to redefine the name of the October 13 holiday, Columbus Day. Following the lead of the City of Duluth, White said she would like to see the day renamed to Indigenous People Day. A directive was issued to Superintendent Schwarz to compose a letter to Cook County and the City of Grand Marais asking them to support this initiative.
Bus garage and routes discussed
The board approved moving forward with getting bids for a new eight-stall bus garage. The building would be expected to cost from $75,000 to $150,000. Once bids are received the school will decide whether to pursue building the new garage or just repair the old building which was damaged by heavy snow last winter.
A new bus route was added to Grand Portage. The number of students coming to Grand Marais from Grand Portage is now 77. The bus was pulled from the Gunflint route and replaced there with a smaller 14 passenger bus. The West End route is also getting close to needing another bus as well. The school continues to seek additional bus drivers.
Seniors get open campus privileges
Principal Adam Nelson discussed the new open campus process for lunch breaks that is now in place. The policy allows for just seniors with good attendance records to leave the school campus for lunch. Although one of the original concerns was having enough break room space for all students, the cafeteria still has available seating. Most of the board members have also received inquiries concerning the new policy.
In other news
. Principal Nelson reviewed the possibility of ISD 166 getting involved with interactive classrooms. The program revolves around teachers and students from different schools interacting remotely by video. This allows for a teacher to teach students in their own school as well as other schools at the same time. Interactive classrooms are currently being utilized by several Iron Range communities.
. There was an act of vandalism in the new baseball dugout which was reported to law enforcement. The damage has now been painted over. There are currently no suspects to the crime.
. Superintendent Beth Schwarz reported that the Minnesota Rural Education System is focusing on trying to correct the inequities in maintenance funding that exist between urban and rural schools. Currently urban schools receive about $2.60 in funding per student, while rural schools receive around 50 cents.
. Schwarz also mentioned that the early child education program now takes up two full size classrooms plus one smaller classroom as a result of not having a separate early childhood center.
. Board member Sissy Lunde expressed concern that during a recent fire drill she had heard students asking why the YMCA did not also evacuate their part of the building. Nelson told the board that he had already spoken with the YMCA director and they will be participating in drills in the future.
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