ELY – School Board members here recently gave retroactive approval for the permanent mounting of a banner in the Ely Ice Arena. Apparently, pushback in the community and by the school board for the unauthorized hanging of the banner by the Blue Line Booster Club prompted the school board to give its approval after the fact.

That action and resulting community controversy did not sit well with Ely School Board Chair Ray Marsnik who called for the formation of a task force to develop a school policy. Board members discussed the issue this week at a school board study session.

The banner that was hung honored Ely graduate and West Point Athletic Hall of Fame member Dave Merhar, who was recently honored at the arena for his athletic accomplishments on the ice during a “Dave Merhar Night.”

“This (issue) came about because a permanent banner was placed in the arena and as we discussed last month, there should be (school) board approval when permanent banners are being hung in our facilities,” Marsnik said.

New school board member Tony Colarich made the motion at the board’s regular meeting last month that a procedure should be developed for the school district to adopt.

“In my opinion, I think this should be in the hands of our administration, including the superintendent, principals and athletic director,” Marsnik said. “They could bring in someone from the outside to get some input if they want.”

He tasked the administration with developing a policy to present to the school board for approval. “Like any policy, we would have three readings and the board would have an opportunity to make any changes they deem necessary,” he said.

Marsnik asserted that he was concerned strictly with permanent banners being hung in school district facilities. “(Approval for) the temporary banner that may be hung at a basketball game or football game, or at homecoming, should remain in the hands of our administration.”

Colarich said, ‘Over the past 10 or 20 years, people’s perceptions of things are constantly changing and anytime you put a permanent banner up without approval we leave ourselves open to some issues. Someone’s connotation could be political, mean-spirited, derogatory or racist. That’s the kind of world we live in. We should do the right thing to avoid that from happening. I prefer to have a procedure.”

School board members noted that the policy doesn’t have to be complicated, and suggested that policies from other school districts be studied to develop a procedure. “We don’t have to re-invent the wheel here,” he said.

Athletic director Tom Coombe said that the process of developing a policy should not be too difficult. Administration members should have something to present to the board next month.

Other business

In other recent action, the school board:

Held a closed update meeting with district counsel Kelly Klun on the lawsuits filed by 16 teachers over a payroll deduction. A court date with three of the litigants was set for Feb. 27.

Approved a revised 2018-2019 school budget, showing as much as a $168,000 deficit in operating funds, and an unrestricted fund balance of more than $2.5 million.

Heard an update from Facilities Director Tim Leeson on the hot water issue in the Washington building. He said bids are being sought for the project. He is also gathering estimates for the purchase of a new school bus.

Approved a high school band trip to Chicago, set for early April.

Hired Mataya Barrett for an open para-professional position.

Accepted the resignation of teacher Darren Visser at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. According to Coombe, Visser said he hopes to continue serving as the girls basketball coach.