New school central office is open for business
by Peter Jakey
Managing Editor
With the start of the new school year in Rogers City has come the opening of the new central office inside Rogers City High School.
Superintendent Katy Makowski and her staff had tables, filing cabinets and chairs moved from the Grambau Center during the summer, and now that fall classes have started the office is “completely functional,” she reported to the school board Monday night. “Several meetings have been held there.”
The board decided last fall to close the Grambau Center and move the central office to an underutilized portion of the high school building, which fronts Huron Avenue and is east of the main entrance.
A paved ramp takes visitors to a single door, and on most days, administrative assistant Carol Radka will greet people in the reception area.
Down the hallway is Makowski’s office, as well as business manager Robin Hughes.
There’s an additional room with the board meeting table and chairs that used to share space in the superintendent’s office. There’s also another room for storage and another short hallway to the halls of the high school.
“YOU GET to hear what is going on — you are more involved with what is going on,” said Makowski, who also serves as the elementary principal.
“The flow has been good,” said Radka. “We are very accessible to the rest of the staff and they have been coming in. If there is anything that arises we can handle it right away.”
“It is so convenient,” said Makowski. “I’ve been able to be visible. It just makes it a lot easier.”
There are several items being packed away and relocated from the Grambau Center and utilities have been set at a minimal.
“We will need to clear out some of the storage in the pole barn to make room for other items,” said Makowski, “And to make room for the trailer. We can’t park the trailer in the pole barn right now. So, we need to purge some things.”
Integrity Construction of Gaylord was awarded the bid for the central office project earlier this year.
Makowski also gave a brief update regarding a Flint firm, which specializes in restoring old buildings like the Grambau.
“This group has used federal funding to purchase and rehabilitate old school buildings, and make them into nice community and residential buildings,” said Makowski. “They showed me a project they did in Durand that looked identical to the Grambau. Same brick, same style.”
Makowski said the company’s next step is to conduct a market survey.
“He was rather pleased at the upkeep of that building,” said Makowski. “He said it was in really good shape for its age.”
IN OTHER news:
• Athletic director Pat Lamb recommended approval of Jenny Urban as volunteer cheerleading football coach, as well as volunteer coaches Eric Moltrane and Jesse Fenstermaker. A
• The board approved the hiring of Megan Przybyla as seventh-grade volleyball coach.
• The board accepted the bid from Kalamazoo Metal Recyclers to purchase the 2002 International bus in the amount of $2,671.
• Cory Budnick donated $60 to the Tom Radka Children in Need Fund.
• Physical education teacher Chad Coolman was the recipient of the 2012 U.S. Lacrosse Physical Education grant. Through the grant, Rogers City Area Schools will receive: 30 physical education soft lacrosse sticks, 30 lacrosse balls and one copy of a lacrosse curriculum guide.