Ishpeming Schools

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As you may know from the news media, on July 28, 2010, the Board of Education directed me to plan for the closing of the C.L. Phelps School not later than June 2011.  The intent is for students in grades 5-8 to be at the Central School/Ishpeming High School complex.  I want to move very carefully, cautiously, deliberately, and thoroughly with planning and preparation.  I have asked for a group of Phelps School and Ishpeming High School teachers to help with developing recommendations on how to carry out the Board action.  I also welcome any parent/guardian suggestions or insight.  If there are a few parents who would like to help, you may call me at 485-5501.

The Phelps School will open on the normal schedule on September 7, 2010.

The defeat of the May 4 bond issue has created a very difficult situation.  We have too much building space to operate for our district enrollment.  If you recall, the idea in the May 4 bond proposal was to close the Phelps School which is 85,000 square feet and construct 35,000 square feet of high efficiency classrooms/facilities for a net reduction of 50,000 square feet.  This is where we would have had an operational savings.  I want to address this in a positive way and work through this.  I am also anticipating that the Board will take action in August or September to address some type of building project.  We must “right size” our physical facilities in order to direct funds to teaching, learning, and student activities.

Please keep in mind some of the positives that are occurring right now – we are doing projects at the Central School/Ishpeming High School including sidewalks, exterior steps, hot water heaters, and 412 new lockers; we are hiring 5 new teachers in order to maintain smaller elementary class sizes; we are upgrading our transportation fleet with a new handicapped accessible International bus; and the U.S. Department of Education has confirmed that we are receiving a $100,000 technology grant.

Each of you can be of great help by being positive as we work this out to continue providing all students with an outstanding education and school experience.

Again, please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Congratulations are in order to Ishpeming High School Principal Brian Sarvello.  Mr. Sarvello has accepted a top level education consultant position at Marquette – Alger Regional Education Service Agency (MARESA).  In his new position Mr. Sarvello will be providing direction to superintendents, principals, and teachers in the 2 county region.

Mr. Sarvello has left his mark at Ishpeming High School and he will be missed.

Best wishes Mr. Sarvello from all of us as you take your career onward and upward.

The Board of Education has entered into an agreement with Great Lakes Radio/ 98.3 FM WRUP to broadcast Ishpeming High School girls’ basketball, boys’ basketball, and football.  The Board has named WRUP 98.3 FM as the “Official and Exclusive”  radio broadcasting outlet for Ishpeming High School athletics. 

In addition to broadcasting contests on the FM dial, Great Lakes Radio will produce a players and coaches show and will do features on academics, activities, and events.

WRUP 98.3 FM has a clear signal for a radius of 75 miles which means that all athletic events will come in loud and clear.  Stay tuned as Ishpeming High School reaches across the central Upper Peninsula on WRUP 98.3 FM.