By Sterling McGinn
The new floor project for the J.L. DeCook Gymnasium, slated to begin in a matter of weeks, may be delayed due to an asbestos issue.
The item was discussed at the July 15 meeting of the Tahquamenon Area Schools (TAS) Board of Education.
The project may be delayed until November because the underlayment may contain asbestos; the building was built and opened in 1973.
“We are getting it tested prior to the work,” said TAS Superintendent Stacy Price. “The testing will probably take place later this week or next week.”
The gym project is spearheaded by athletic director Anthony Kitzman is funded through a pledge from the Tahquamenon Area Senior Citizens and through donations and fundraisers.
The future gym floor has been redesigned and laid out to allow Newberry to host volleyball tournaments.
In other project updates, Price reported that bond work is moving along and the new library entrance will also give access to the relocated Community Schools office.
Another project snag will result in the shop wing to not be ready for the beginning of the school year; shop will remain in the old high school. This is because the new wing doesn’t have a fire suppression system, which apparently was not included in the plans.
“The architect didn’t know this…in a shop classroom?” asked trustee Veronica Edwards. “This just doesn’t make sense.”
“This is what happened in Pickford also,” Price said. “The good news is that a there is a fire suppression system in the auditorium and that pipe goes right under where the new shop room is going to be and we can use that, and it will be a significant savings to us.”
Price said the library will be restocked soon, following the asbestos removal and furniture from the old high school will be moved over to the new high school space above the elementary school.
During public comment that evening, a number of individuals spoke.
Scott Duflo brought up the issue of money that was allocated to those filling the high school principal duties before a permanent one was hired. Duflo had spoken several meetings ago on the matter.
“I got a few emails back, and I think I have it narrowed down,” he said.
Jeff Puckett asked the same question at the special school board meeting held the end of June, which revolved around the issue of the budget.
Board President Stuart McTiver had explained at that particular meeting that the salaries of those administrators were not adjusted back down, and the talents of those two were being used in different areas within the district.
“I got several responses and I’m trying to decipher through all of it and what really happened,” Duflo said. “Two people, Brooke [Neeb] and Stacy [Price] were hired to be the principal before the principal got here. The principal got here, and you continued to receive the funds for the remainder of the year to help him get broke in,” he continued. “The next year starts, and it got put somewhere else.”
Duflo questioned the decision to continue paying Price and Neeb the additional salary by indicating the money would be awarded for other duties.
“Is there a meeting that was held—does that happen behind closed doors—does the whole board vote on that?” he asked. “I don’t doubt that there is a lot of people doing things way beyond what their duties are in their contracts. Probably most everybody who works here does that. My concern is that when the time comes to make a decision like that, even if it is justified, how is that process handled?”
Duflo’s questions were not answered that evening.
Finally, Colleen Duflo thanked the board for posting the agenda on the school’s Facebook page prior to the meeting, which she feels is a great idea and is very helpful.
