Marinette School District Sells RV To Marinette Co.

Will Become A

Command Post



Thanks to a decision by Marinette School Board at their meeting Tuesday, July 20, Marinette County apparently is on its way toward having the only fully equipped Mobile Emergency Command Post in the eastern half of Wisconsin. A month ago the Marinette School Board had decided to rebid sale of their Minnesota RV instead of selling it to Marinette County for their offer of $3,002. Tuesday evening they reversed that decision and approved selling it to the county for the $3,002 price. Board member Terri Florek cast the sole opposing vote.

Chief Deputy Jerry Sauve and Emergency Management Director Eric Burmeister were on hand to explain their planned use of the vehicle. Sauve, thanking the school board on behalf of Sheriff Jim Kanikula, said the vehicle will be equipped with radio translators and other emergency equipment for which Burmeister has obtained grants through Homeland Security and other sources, and can be taken to the scene of disasters, events, etc. that involve multiple law enforcement and emergency management agencies. Burmeister said the only other such vehicle he knows of in Wisconsin is owned by the state and is kept at Camp Douglas, some four to five hours distant from Marinette County.

Sauve explained the planned radio translator equipment will make direct radio communication possible between multiple agencies using varied frequencies. He recalled the shooting incident at Niagara where 35 police agencies were involved in the search, each using a different radio frequency. “This will have a converter to bridge the frequencies and simplify communications,” Sauve said. It also will permit use of the statewide mutual aid frequency. “We will just have to pull up to the scene and turn the equipment on,” Sauve said. There also will be space for personnel to rest when workers are rotated at extended disasters like train wrecks and major storms.

Sauve mentioned also that it can be used for events like the military ship launches at Marinette Marine. He said the state unit was brought in for the launch of the LCS Freedom so all the civilian and military agencies in-volved could communicate.

“We won’t be selfish, this will be a mutual resource,” Sauve promised.

“I think it’s a win/win/win, for the Sheriff’s Department, the school district, and the taxpayers,” declared Board President Scott VandeHei after the vote.

Resignation of Brandon Pannier as boys and girls head tennis coach was accepted, as were hiring of Kelly Francour as Middle School Student Council advisor, Ingrid Dooley, Chris Hanek and Barack Menor as assistant Soccer coaches, Richard King for Middle School football and Beth Kahn as systems operator for Park Elementary School.

Administrator Tim Baneck announced the good news that all three elementary schools in the district - Park, Garfield and Merryman - have been approved for SAGE funding for the 2010-2011 school year. the program, he noted, brings extra money into the district to be used to lower the student/teacher ratio in the elementary schools.

On recommendation of John LaCourt, chair of the Curriculum and Information Technology Committee, the board unanimously approved creation of a Virtual School that will make some 70 additional classes on-line available to students in grades six through 12.

“We’re creating multiple ways for our students to be successful,” LaCourt declared. He said the virtual school can be used to enhance the on-campus curriculum, for home based education, and even as a credit recovery opportunity for students.

Later in the meeting, Tom Baribeau, president of the MEA teacher’s union, complimented Baneck “on having the fortitude to pursue SAGE and virtual instruction for our district.... big steps for someone in their first year as administrator!”

A $500 grant from the M&M Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council to be used for supplemental math materials to boost math achievement was accepted with thanks.

The board approved hiring a Grant Coordinator to handle the 21st Century Learning Center Grant that will bring some $470,000 into the district over a 5-year period. Middle School Principal Shawn Limberg explained the grant provides $70,000 the first year and $100,000 for each of the next four years for a before and after school program that will be carried out in partnership with the DAR Boys and Girls Clubs. He said they hope to expand the program to elementary school students in years four and five of the program. The successful grant application was written by Pam Kanikula and Robin Ilse, Limberg said. Since Kanikula has retired Limberg has taken over hiring of the coordinator and getting it started.

The board also approved restructuring of the reading program by hiring an in-house reading specialist and one reading support teacher in each of the elementary schools. LaCourt reported the new structure will cost about the same as the current CESA reading specialist contract and they believe it will result in a stronger connection to the reading program district wide.

Purchase of a Storage Area Network Server from Heartland Business Systems for $27,604 was approved.

The board authorized UP Engineers and Architects to move forward with work on the malfunctioning school swimming pool after hearing from Engineer/Architect Al Walker. Walker said he had spent an hour with people from the state earlier in the day “looking at whole bunch of scenarios,” and had received their approvals for two sets of plans his firm had devised. The state recommends putting the floor drain back into the pool as it was before, provided the water table can be drawn down to the point that the water will drain out.

Currently the water table is some six inches above the floor of the pool on the deep end, Walker said. Noting the rain pouring down as the meeting progressed, he joked it now is probably more like nine inches. He said he had told the state people if the underlying soil is sand, that should work, but if it is silt it will not. In that case, he said, the state people told him they will permit the less desirable, and also less costly use of a pit and sump pump to drain the pool.

The preferred solution, complete with engineering fees, carries a tentative price tag of $61,603, and includes drilling five well points inside and outside the pool area to drain off the groundwater so repairs can proceed.

The board last month had authorized proceeding with repairs. Walker said he will get quotes on the first three well points. About a week of pumping should be enough to learn whether or not that solution will work, he said. There appeared doubt, however, that the pool will be repaired and ready for use in time for swim team use this fall.

Contract with Physical Therapist Page Lewandowski ws renewed, with no increase in fees. “It was enjoyable to see something not go up in price,” commented VandeHei.

On recommendation of Brian Ceranski, chair of the board’s Finance committee, the board agreed to write off a total of $59,785 in unpaid student fees dating from 2006 through 2010. Ceranski said the Finance Committee felt given the local economic conditions many families are having hard times financially and may never be able to pay these. Because of some changes in the fee structure based on free and reduced hot lunch prices the unpaid fees should never again reach these levels, Ceranski said in response to questions from board member Lee Kuntz. Kuntz had suggested systematically writing off the oldest of the accounts rather than doing it all at once, and leaving the 2009-2010 total on the books as possibly collectable.

The board approved first readings of changes to 30 formal policies as recommended by NEOLA, an advisory agency. Most of the changes are in wording to bring them into compliance with state law. LaCourt asked for information on the cost of having NEOLA do the recommendations versus having them recommended by the district’s legal advisors, from Keulthau and Davis law firm. VandeHei said their attorneys actually work with NEOLA.

Baneck reported maintenance staff and cleaning crews are working hard to get the buildings in shape for the Sept. 1 start of classes. The gym floors at the High School and Garfield Elementary are being refurbished, and roof repairs at Garfield are underway.

Financial Director Pauline Bogen reported the fiscal year ended on Wednesday, June 30, and auditors will be in her office in mid-August for the annual audit.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
09-08-2010	Sports	MYBI Fun Night Sept. 11
09-08-2010	Sports	Marines Rebound For 28-14 Victory
09-08-2010	Sports	Powers Should Battle For Title As M-O Begins Friday
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Steven G. Wontor
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Llewellyn H. Waldo
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Donna R. Van Rossum
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Stephen N. Uecke
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Dorothy M. Stults
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Ileen Sikowski
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Richard Schneider
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Dean Phillipps
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Robert T. Oliver
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Vicki Nikolaus
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Roger Magnuson
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Elmer F. Kruse, Jr.
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Daniel J. Jenkins
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Doris C. Hanley
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Joseph J. Gruszynski
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Everett L. Davis
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Claudine M. Curtis
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Harvey J. Crevier
09-08-2010	Obituaries	John J. Berceau
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Irene Banaszak
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Nancy Wendricks
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Martin E. Steffen
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Frederick Reed
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Gloria Rasmussen
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Donald J. Powell
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Charles D. Oestreich
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Lucy K. Henrichs
09-08-2010	Obituaries	Ralph E. Christensen
09-08-2010	Community - Coleman	Pound Names Budget Unit, OK ATV Trails
09-08-2010	Community - Coleman	Coleman Utility Board Sept. 13
09-08-2010	Perspectives	Country Cousin
09-08-2010	Perspectives	From our readers
09-08-2010	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
09-08-2010	News	UP Recycling Annual Conference Sept. 15
09-08-2010	News	USDA Rep at Marinette Sept. 29
09-08-2010	News	Rescue Squad Seeks Auxiliary Members
09-08-2010	News	Harmony Church Supper Oct. 2
09-08-2010	Community - Wausaukee	Amberg Fire Parade, Picnic Very Successful
09-08-2010	Community - Wausaukee	Town Wausaukee Winter Garbage Pickup Sept. 9
09-08-2010	Community - Wausaukee	Rescue Squad Seeks Auxiliary Members
09-08-2010	Community - Crivitz	Legion Gun, Knife Show is Sept. 25
09-08-2010	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Historical Picnic Sept. 12th
09-08-2010	Community - Crivitz	Third Crivitz Cheerleaders Golf Scramble at Beechwood Sept. 26
09-08-2010	Community - Crivitz	Free Family Nights At Trinity Church
09-08-2010	Front Page	Marinette Council To Appoint Interim For Ward 2 Alderman
09-08-2010	Front Page	Council Directs Attorney To “Take Appropriate Actions”
09-08-2010	Front Page	Former City Man Is Hit-Run Victim
09-08-2010	Front Page	Voters To Select Party Candidates On Sept. 14
09-08-2010	Front Page	Man Dies In Porterfield Fire
09-01-2010	Sports	Menominee Whips Wrightstown 33-12
09-01-2010	Sports	Fast Start Not Enough As Marines Falter 28-20
09-01-2010	Sports	Defense Rescues Titans in 12-0 Win; Suring, Wausaukee Roll
09-01-2010	Community - Wausaukee	Seek Vendors for Oct. 2 Wausaukee Fall Fest
09-01-2010	Community - Wausaukee	POW/MIA Services at Iron Mountain VA
09-01-2010	Community - Wausaukee	Fire Auxiliary Craft Fair Set for Nov. 20
09-01-2010	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Car Show Sept. 25
09-01-2010	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Historical Picnic Sept. 12th
09-01-2010	Community - Crivitz	VFW Sponsors Essay Contest for Students
09-01-2010	Community - Crivitz	Free Plane Rides for Youth at Crivitz
09-01-2010	Community - Crivitz	LNRD Annual Meeting Sept. 4
09-01-2010	Community - Coleman	Blood Drive at Coleman Sept. 7
09-01-2010	News	Register For Fall Swim Classes
09-01-2010	Community - Coleman	Lioness Club To Meet Sept. 9th
09-01-2010	News	Northwoods Bar Auction Sept. 5
09-01-2010	Perspectives	Country Cousin
09-01-2010	Perspectives	From our readers
09-01-2010	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Kenneth Zeitler, Jr.
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Leona M. Thedick
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Marilyn J. Swacker
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Susan Stephenson
09-01-2010	Obituaries	LaVerne Sexton
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Alexander V. Peterson
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Jules J. Paluch
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Sadie Patz
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Darlene Nichols
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Addison T. McLain
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Veryle L. Kitchenmaster
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Edward N. Heger
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Lester G. Duescher
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Leah M. DePouw
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Whitney M. Cook
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Lorraine Carlson
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Jacob Brault
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Michele Boyd
09-01-2010	Obituaries	John A. Boswell
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Harriet Bonn
09-01-2010	Obituaries	Melvin G. Bartels
09-01-2010	Front Page	DOT, Town And City Confer On Bypass Issues
09-01-2010	Front Page	Lena School To Spend Federal Grant Cautiously
09-01-2010	Front Page	Two Dead In City Vehicle Accident
09-01-2010	Front Page	Marinette Co. Board Okays Long Term Care District
09-01-2010	Front Page	Over 32,000 Attend Marinette County Fair
08-25-2010	Sports	Marines Expect Improvement After Winless Campaign
08-25-2010	Sports	LaBarbera, Marines Enjoy Golf Success
08-25-2010	Sports	Timberjacks Claim North Division Showdown 27-14
08-25-2010	Sports	Line Experience Should Give Edge Over Coleman
08-25-2010	Perspectives	Country Cousin
08-25-2010	Perspectives	From our readers
08-25-2010	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Donna Walli
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Eleanor J. Stuart
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Nancy Poquette
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Dr. Edward A. Hunold
08-25-2010	Obituaries	William Hicks
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Walter J. Jozaitis, Jr.
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Caroline Constantini
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Francis Burns
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Charles E. VerBurst
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Clayton R. Tilkens
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Troy W. Strelow
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Jim Steppke
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Anthony Spehar
08-25-2010	Obituaries	LaVerne Sherman
08-25-2010	Obituaries	James Burr Reed
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Mildred Peterson
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Julia Petersen
08-25-2010	Obituaries	George F. Kreiling
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Audrey Hackbarth
08-25-2010	Obituaries	William E. Gryzwa
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Jeanette Fadroski
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Wendell A. DeLaruelle
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Dorothy DeBaker
08-25-2010	Obituaries	Michele Boyd
08-25-2010	News	NEWCARE Hosts Picnic Aug. 14
08-25-2010	News	Couple Has Girl
08-25-2010	News	Mother, Son Open Athelstane Business
08-25-2010	Community - Wausaukee	Thank A Vet Starts Sept. 1
08-25-2010	Community - Wausaukee	Vet Service Officer Addresses Legion
08-25-2010	Community - Wausaukee	Amberg Historical Lists Museum Opening Dates
08-25-2010	Community - Wausaukee	Anointing of Sick, Mass on Sept. 11
08-25-2010	Community - Coleman	AWANA Open House at Pound
08-25-2010	Community - Coleman	Schedule Change At Food Pantry
08-25-2010	Community - Coleman	Coleman Legion Disposal of Worn Flags Sept. 18
08-25-2010	Community - Coleman	150 at Cougar Booster Club Banquet Aug. 16
08-25-2010	Community - Crivitz	Natural Foods Store Now Open In Crivitz
08-25-2010	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz School Starts Sept. 1
08-25-2010	Community - Crivitz	Village Grading On FJ Street
08-25-2010	Front Page	Coleman Board Adds Year To Administrator Contract
08-25-2010	Front Page	15 Area Schools Get Federal Job Funding
08-25-2010	Front Page	County Board Meets Aug. 31
08-25-2010	Front Page	Big Events Planned At County Fair Aug. 26-29
08-25-2010	Front Page	Huge Marijuana Grow Is Found In County
08-18-2010	Community - Coleman	Coleman School Board Aug. 23
08-18-2010	Community - Coleman	Lentz Road Is Near Completion
08-18-2010	Community - Coleman	Town of Pound Sets Public Hearing
08-18-2010	Community - Coleman	Rymer Family Has Get Together in Pound