ELY – The hockey coach position at Ely School District remains in limbo because the School Board is split on deciding between two apparent options.

In what has become a bigger issue than the superintendent’s departure amid fraud allegations, the position is far from settled and remains on ice after board members failed to approve a motion to post for the position, and then failed to approve a motion to rehire the coach.

Now what?

“This is what happens when we have an even-numbered board,” said Chairman Ray Marsnik. “We’ll have to bring this up at our next meeting (scheduled for Aug. 10) and see if we can come up with some sort of solution.”

Back in May, the board did not renew the contract of 10-year coach Kurt Mattila, failing to pass a motion on a 3-3 tie vote.

Mattila asked to be reinstated at a hearing last month which allowed him to answer the list of reasons provided in the non-renewal.

“The due-process has now been completed according to the law and we have two choices: to rehire the coach or post the position,” Marsnik said.

School Director Scott Kellerman made a motion to post the position, that was seconded by Kathy Udovich.

“My reason for making this motion is in response to certain concerns raised to Mr. Mattila, and second, I reiterate that I am looking for a change in leadership for the program. That change is not based solely on parent complaints, but related to overall performance of the program and the performance of the coach,” Kellerman said.

“Hopefully, the entire Ely hockey community can coalesce in a unified manner and consequently provide for a more successful program which will be more rewarding to our young people,” he said.

There was no discussion and the motion failed on a tie vote. Kellerman, Udovich and newly-appointed school director James Pointer voted in favor. Marsnik, Rochelle Sjoberg and Paul Pengal voted against the motion.

“I don’t really know how we are going to resolve this right now,” Marsnik said. “I’ll take any suggestions from the board.”

Pengal made a motion to renew Mattila’s contract, which was supported by Sjoberg.

Again, the motion failed to pass on a tie vote. Pengal, Sjoberg and Marsnik voted in favor. Pointer, Udovich and Kellerman voted against the motion.

The district’s legal counsel, Kelly Klun, noted that if and when the job is posted, Mattila would have the right to re-apply for the coaching position.

Pointer inquired on when a coach would need to be in place for the upcoming season.

Marsnik asked for Mattila’s opinion. “The season starts in October but, now that there is no coach, there is a lot of struggle with the (Ely Ice) arena. We need a coach here by September,” he said.

Pointer suggested the board post the position, with the anticipation that Mattila would re-apply.

“Would I get a fair opportunity and a fair shake against another (coach applicant)?” Mattila asked.

Athletic Director

Without elaborating, Marsnik stated that he is hopeful that a new athletic director would be in place by next Monday. “I would like to have a conversation with the new athletic director that could be coming in. We’ll let this (hockey coach issue) stand and see what happens.”

Later on in the meeting, Sjoberg said wage issues concerning the athletic director position should be resolved this week.

A special meeting will be held on Monday, July 20 at 6 p.m. The agenda, released Wednesday afternoon, includes approval of the hiring of Thomas R. Coombe as athletic director.

JFK building

School Board members approved the low bid of $236,000 for the demolition of the former JFK building.

Eight bids were submitted for the project, funded through a portion of the $1 million taconite tax proceeds to the district as administered through the Iron Range Rehabilitation and Resources Board.

Carleton Companies, Inc., of Good Thunder, was the low bidder. Hibbing Excavating, Inc. submitted the highest bid of $720,233. Ely’s Low Impact Excavators had the second highest bid at $549,500.

The company has until Nov. 1 to complete the project.

District Transportation and Facilities Director Jess Jankowski said the asbestos abatement is going slower than he prefers but should be completed by Aug. 1.

Demolition can’t start until the asbestos and other hazardous materials are removed from the building. “If they start Aug. 1, they said they could be done by the end of September,” he said.

Community Education

Community Ed-ucation director duties, removed from the superintendent’s responsibility, could soon be covered though a collaboration with the Ely Folk School.

Following a meeting between a school board committee and folk school board members, the fledgling organization proposed a shared coordinator position with shared expenses.

Coordinating and marketing Folk School and Community Education courses through a single office and staff ensures consistent year-round administration of course offerings that can have broad appeal, the proposal said.

The proposal included: shared year-round coordination with the budget covered by the school district September to May and the Folk School June to August; an office base at both locations; a joint quarterly catalog to include all classes offered; and a joint advisory board that would assist with curriculum development.

“I, for one, am in favor of a joint effort,” said Udovich. “I think it is important to work with them from the beginning.”

Marsnik called for continued committee work to resolve work hours and wage issues as part of a more formal agreement.

Other business

In other business, the board took the following action:

• Amended the 2015-2016 school calendar to provide for a teacher workshop day on Monday, Nov. 9, reducing student contact to 172 days;

• Accepted the separation agreement with former superintendent Alexis Leitgeb;

• Hired John Meyer and Megan Wognum for the elementary teaching positions;

•Approved the request for medical leave of absence for paraprofessional Cheri Debeltz, until Jan. 4, 2016;

•Approved the bid for propane supply from Como Oil and Propane, Duluth, for 72 cents per gallon.

•OK’d the quote for snowplowing services for the 20-15-2016 school year from Evergreen Construction at $35 per 15 yards;

•Went into closed session to discuss the master agreement with AFSCME Local 295.