.jpg)
The faculty lineup at Ely Memorial High School will have a different look next fall.
One teacher resigned and another was granted a leave of absence Monday, and those moves come on the heels of a retirement notice issued last month by a longtime Ely teacher.
This week, the board accepted the resignation of high school science teacher Nate LaFond and granted English instructor Amy Kingsley a three-year leave of absence.
Last month, social studies teacher Frank Ivancich announced his retirement from a teaching job he’s held since 1991.
The latest moves mean that the district could have up to three new faculty members in the Memorial Building, which houses students in grades 6-12.
• Also Monday, superintendent Anne Oelke presented a timeline to address anticipated budget reductions, which are coming as school officials look to close a roughly $477,000 budget deficit spurred by the expiration of federal Covid-19 funds together with rising expenses and declining student enrollment.
The board’s budget and finance committee has reviewed an assortment of potential cuts and revenue enhancements related to the 2024-25 budget and those will be addressed at an April 22 board study session.
Board action will follow, either at a special meeting or at the regular session slated for May 13.
• Apreconstruction meeting was held this week as the district proceeds with its Phase II Improvement Project, which was aided by legislative action that provided additional funding for the district.
New windows and doors and various classroom and bathroom renovations are in store and school officials are meeting with contractors to come up with a construction schedule for the summer.
• School board members voted 5-0 Monday, with Rochelle Sjoberg absent, to deny a Level III grievance filed by the Ely Education Association, related to monthly health insurance premium contributions.
At issue are administrative fees related to the coverage and responsibility for payment.
The union has the option to seek arbitration.
In other business, the board:
• Accepted the resignation of high school girls basketball coach Max Gantt.
• Received updated enrollment numbers showing 525 students currently in grades K-12. The district opened the school year with 529 students. There are 23 home school students, down from 32 in 2021.
• Hired Beth Ohlhauser as assistant girls track coach and approved volunteer coaches Jayne Dusich (girls track) and Cheri DeBeltz (golf).
• Approved updated policies related to board member code of ethics, out-of-state travel, employment background checks and a new policy covering service animals in schools.
