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Ely school enrollment jumps sharply

Hockey coach hired, but not without controversy

Keith Vandervort
Posted 9/17/15

ELY – ISD 696 is celebrating an increase of 39 students this year.

Enrollment figures released this week show a total of 274 K-5 students in Washington Elementary School, an increase of 15 …

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Ely school enrollment jumps sharply

Hockey coach hired, but not without controversy

Posted

ELY – ISD 696 is celebrating an increase of 39 students this year.

Enrollment figures released this week show a total of 274 K-5 students in Washington Elementary School, an increase of 15 students. “We are super excited that we are up quite a bit,” said K-5 Principal Ann Oelke. “That’s pretty significant.”

There is even better news over at Memorial High School, where enrollment in grades 6-12 shows an increase of 24 students, for a total of 291.

Principal Mary McGrane said the increase in the number of students equates to about $54,000 in additional funding for the district.

Individual classes sizes include: Kindergarten, 45; first grade, 50; second grade 39; third grade, 49; fourth grade 39; fifth grade, 52; sixth grade, 34; seventh grade, 41; eighth grade, 51; ninth grade, 36; tenth grade, 47; eleventh grade, 42; twelfth grade, 40.

McGrane said as many as 15 high school students are enrolled in an online class. There are also five foreign exchange students in school this year.

Hockey coach

On a 5-1 vote, school directors approved the hiring of Ben Johnson as varsity hockey coach for the 2015-2016 season.

A parent with a player on the team commented on the hiring recommendation, made by the athletic director, Tom Coombe, and the 6-12 principal, during the open forum portion of the meeting.

Julie Huseby read from a prepared statement, “We’ve been having quite a discussion throughout the community over the hiring of Ben Johnson,” she said.

She said there were facts that needed to be brought out for the community. Board members received a 14-page document that included copies of newspaper and hockey website articles and blogs concerning Johnson.

She started to read some of the material. She mentioned accusations of fights on teams Johnson had previously coached and was abruptly cut off by Marsnik.

He referred Huseby to the board rules concerning the open forum portion of the meeting. “It is unacceptable for an speaker to slander or engage in character assassination at a public board meeting,” he said. “The information that you are giving here should be factual.”

Huseby asserted that the information she presented is indeed factual. “This information has been pulled off the internet, and websites that are all able to be found. I gave all of you a copy. This is information from me to you and I feel the community needs to know this information,” she said.

Marsnik allowed her to continue, but warned her he did not want to hear any character assassination. She related her experience of hearing about the Ely hockey program this summer from a hockey supporter in Coleraine. “He said he couldn’t be trusted. That was all he wanted to say about it,” Huseby said. “It seems to be awful odd when someone over by Coleraine knows what’s going on here in Ely. Let’s wake up and do the right thing.”

Three candidates applied for the position, including Johnson, former coach Kurt Mattila and Peter Blodgett. Husbey asked the board to hire Blodgett.

The recommendation to hire Johnson emerged from a search process conducted in August with interviews of all three applicants held by a five-member screening committee, including McCrane, Coombe, faculty member Rob Simonich, Ely Blue Line Club President Marty Hendrickson and community member, Ely hockey alum and former college hockey standout Dave Merhar.

In a letter to the board, Coombe said, “Ben (Johnson) brings an extensive playing and coaching background to Ely High School and has strong qualifications for the position. He is in the process of obtaining MSHSL certification to be head coach.”

Board member Rochelle Sjoberg made the motion to hire Johnson for the upcoming season with support from Director Kathy Udovich. A roll call vote was taken. Marsnik voted against the recommendation.

“I have nothing against the candidate’s character or the recommendation,” Marsnik said. “I voted against the motion because I have a serious problem with the hiring process and how it was handled.”

First week challenges

The first week of school has been challenging around the Washington Elementary building because of two construction projects. Work is wrapping up a new roof project. The demolition of the JFK building is just getting under way.

“I couldn’t have been more pleased with the way it went,” Oelke said, “considering we had demolition on one side and a crane on the roof on the other side of the building, everything went real well.”

Some parents had raised concerns over the amount of dust generated by the JFK demolition project, which has been stared on the south side of the building by the playground, and the safety of the children.

The project was delayed because of a longer period needed for asbestos abatement in the building. Marsnik said officials will be on hand every day of the demolition to make sure all regulations are followed. The project should be completed by November.

The board approved a change order of $5,131 from Nelson Roofing, Inc. for the Washington building roof project. The east and west entrances will have the sheet metal roof replaced.

Facilities plan

Board members approved the first two years of the district’s facilities plan, and will meet as the facilities committee at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 23 to discuss the entire 10-year plan.

In 2017 and 2018, the district hopes to complete the following projects: Industrial Arts building, security cameras, fire safety improvements, and new carpet for the band room; Washington building, carpet and drapes for four rooms, new windows, fire safety improvements, and security cameras; Memorial building, carpet and drapes for four rooms, security cameras and fire safety improvements; Arena, east garage and entry doors on the east side; and grounds, fencing and new playground equipment.

Homecoming week

Activities in the high school this week are focused on Homecoming. The king and queen and their court were introduced during a pep rally on Tuesday, followed by feats of skill and strength and other activities on the football field. The parade will start at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18 and will follow on the same route as the July 4 parade, starting and ending at the high school. The Ely Timberwolves football team takes on Cherry tonight at 7 p.m. A Homecoming dance starts at 9 p.m.

Back to school night

The annual Back to School Night will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. Parents and families can visit classrooms and visit with teachers and staff. Elementary student families will be welcomed in the auditorium at 5 p.m. for staff introductions and school information, followed by classroom visits.

Other business

In other business, the board took the following action:

•Set a Truth in Taxation school district budget meeting for Monday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. in the boardroom;

‰Certified the preliminary proposed 2016 levy at the maximum amount;

•Approved a revised job description and the posting for the Ely Community Education Supervisor and Program Coordinator position;

•Ok’d the contract for Interim Superintendent Kevin Abrahamson through June 30, 2016;

•Approved the hiring of Shannan Harding for the part-time General Office Clerk position;

•Recalled Heather Durkin and David Anderson to the part-time para-professional positions;

•OK’d Robert Poderzay as a volunteer assistant football coach for the 2015-2016 season;

•Ok’d Megan Wognum as a volunteer assistant volleyball coach for the 2015-2016 season.