.jpg)
The election of officers was first on the agenda for the Ely school board on Monday night.
Rochelle Sjoberg was again named as school board chair in a unanimous vote from the board which now includes Erin Moravitz, Jennifer Westlund, Hollee Coombe, Tom Omerza and Tony Colarich.
Coombe retained the office of clerk and Omerza was again named treasurer.
The board approved a lengthy consent agenda which included naming the Ely Echo as the district’s official newspaper.
The board varied from the consent agenda by removing the proposed 2.3 percent increase for board member salaries.
Omerza said that based on the recent district audit and how the district is spending more than it is taking in. He said this was to “help with balancing the budget.”
Sjoberg asked for a new motion after the increase was voted down unanimously.
A motion was passed to maintain the 2024 rates of $235 per month for board members and $305 for the chair plus $30,000 in life insurance for each member.
Tim Leeson updated the board and said there was one piece of glass left to put in after workers were present over Christmas break. He said the work is “just about done.”
Omerza asked why each building looked different. Leeson said the buildings have different construction and “they couldn’t get the exact same window” for both buildings.
The board adopted the 2025-2030 district strategic plan.
Omerza said the meetings for the strategic plan were well done and said “there was very good participation from the community.” Sjoberg said this was the third one she had been through and it was the most thorough.
Oelke said items from the plan will be included in the board agenda going forward. Omerza said the last plan “we adopted and it was put away.”
The board’s committee structure was also adopted with Moravitz added to several committees and other minor changes.
The district’s property on Hwy. 1 had the title updated. Colarich said he and former board chair Ray Marsnik had visited the property and afterward found the title listed as District 12. “We thought it was important to get the title updated in case we ever decide to sell it,” said Colarich.
Henry and Sophia Saari donated the property to the district in 1911.
Leeson said he is reviewing the school’s use of propane.
“I can tell you it’s gone up a little bit in some areas,” said Leeson but said that is partially due to the arena locker room previously being on a separate tank.
Omerza said the usage chart is trending in the right direction.
Oelke said she will be attending a leadership conference with three board members.
In other business the board:
• Approved hiring Ammie Peterson for a cafeteria aide at 2.75 hours per day, five days a week.
• Approved Max Gantt’s request for parental leave from April 28 to May 30.
• Adopted a resolution accepting the $5 million in funds for athletic facilities. The money was included in last year’s tax bill but the money will go through the IRRRB. “Thank you for (the funds),” said Sjoberg.
• Hired the following the the school musical: Emily Weise as music director, Crystal Poppler as choreographer, Karin Schmidt as band director, John Scully and Nick Holtz as technicians, Cathy Gucciardo as costumer and Vince O’Conner as accompaniest.
• Set board meetings on the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. and study sessions on the fourth Monday at 6 p.m.
• Named Klun Law Firm as the district’s legal counsel at a rate of $135 per hour.
• Renewed a contract with the Ely Blue Line with some changes. The club had been paying the district $14,000 per year to assist with bond payments for the facility. With the bond nearing the end, the Blue Line has two remaining $14,000 payments, one May of 2025 and one in May of 2026. However, the district pays the Blue Line $14,000 each year for services provided.
• Completed its business in a 26-minute board meeting.
