MSP gives RCAS passing grades for its aging fleet
by Peter Jakey Managing Editor
Michigan State Police (MSP) vehicle safety inspectors conduct a 198-point inspection on all Michigan school buses annually and that consists of all interior and exterior components. Rogers City Area Schools? inspection took place November 10 and passed with flying colors for the sixth consecutive year. Principal Jamie Huber said the district received a certificate of excellence from the MSP.
?I want to congratulate Dennis Spens,? said Huber at the regular school board meeting conducted later that day. ?We can report that we have another 100 percent for the sixth year in a row. It really speaks well of his hard work in maintaining our aging fleet. They are all 100 percent and that speaks volumes to what he is doing in the bus garage.?
The district has eight buses, two which are sued as spares. Michigan has some of the most stringent criteria in the nation ensuring the safety of Michigan children, the MSP Web site states. Each day, more than 810,000 students ride Michigan school buses. In Rogers City, approximately 321 students ride buses, which is roughly 50 percent of the student population.
IN OTHER action from the November 10 board of education meeting, the final winter coaching slots were filled.
Athletic director Pat Lamb recommended the hiring of Chris Shay as the new junior varsity boys? basketball coach and Rob Kortman as junior varsity/assistant wrestling coach. Huber concurred with the recommendations and the hirings were made official by board members. The deadline was November 3.
There also was a motion to give final approval to the winter coaching assignments. They are as follows:
Brian Bannasch, Brett Schalk and John Zampich, bowling coaches; Paul Stempky, varsity girls? basketball head coach; Karl Grambau, junior varsity girls? basketball head coach; Matthew Ba
Huber also reported that, due to low turnout numbers, the middle school basketball program has been canceled.
?Last year, we were able to barely get by,? said Huber. ?This year, unfortunately, that wasn?t the case.? IN OTHER news:
? The district will join a Consumers Energy program that could potentially bring $3,200 in rebates to the high school and elementary and around $300 for the Grambau Center. ? Quarterly departmental meetings are taking lace. Topics being discussed include core sequencing, curriculum mapping, ACT college readiness and co-teaching progress, said Huber. ? Huron Heroes from the middle school went to Frankenmuth last week as a reward for good grades and citizenship. More than 70 of the students qualified. ? Board president Mike Marx announced there would be a city planning commission meeting December 15. On the agenda was a proposed changed in the zoning district where the Grambau Center is located from single-family residential to an office service district. ? Board member Armand Loiselle reported on the Michigan Association of School Boards? fall conference, which he attended as the district?s delegate. It was conducted at the Grand Traverse Resort. It is the second time he has attended the conference.