In advance of a new school year, Ely School Board officials approved a flurry of personnel moves on Monday.
A brief board meeting yielded little discussion, but several personnel decisions including the hire of a full-time special education teacher.
Laurie Stewart-Warner will join the district and take on the special education post, after board members voted 5-0, with Jen Westlund absent, to approve the hire.
Five paraprofessionals were also hired, including recently retired elementary instructor Nancy Preblich.
Also hired were Adeline Nelson, Alison Reineke, Jamie Boes and Kristi Johnson for the posts, which are 31.5 hours per week and only for student contact days.
Elementary teacher Andrea Thomas was tabbed to take on the yearbook advisor position, while Quinn Vidas resigned from a paraprofessional job.
In a budget-related move, bus driving staff John Lahtonen and Gregory Rozier had their positions reduced, effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a long-term facilities maintenance plan that stretches out to the 2032--33 school year.
Plumbing upgrades, tuckpointing, classroom renovations including lighting and wall repair/plaster and paint are included for both 202526 and 2026-27, as well as an array of athletic facility improvements (see related story) linked to the award of $5.25 million by the state legislature.
Further classroom renovations, as well as plumbing and electrical upgrades are on the list for future years.
• Had the first reading of Minnesota School Board Association Draft policies on internet acceptable use, staff development and mentoring, drug, alcohol and cannabis testing and credit for learning.
• Heard that the fall sports registration meeting is set for Monday, Aug. 4, with fall sports practices slated to begin on Monday, Aug. 11.
• Approved $2,762.50 in payment to the Ely Track Club related to reimbursement of track participation fees.
• Accepted various donations including $22,790.50 from Well Being Development for mental health training and curriculum. The funds come from a grant received by the organization, which prompted board member Tom Omerza to tout the importance of grant writing.
