In a unanimous decision, the Rogers City Area Schools (RCAS) Board of Education voted Monday to begin negotiations to renew superintendent Katy Makowski’s contract for three years. Makowski is the middle of her first year as the district’s leader. She received a favorable evaluation from school board members at last month’s workshop session, Jan. 30. “Based on our last meeting, and a positive review of Mrs. Makowski, I’m looking for a directive from the board to enter into contract negotiations with her,” said board president Bryan Hall.

A motion was made by Mike Marx to have Hall begin negotiations on a three-year contract extension. It was seconded by John Krajenta and approved on a 6-0 vote. Lori Dix was not present. Makowski, who has been the elementary principal since the summer of 2009, was appointed in June 2011 to replace Jamie Huber as superintendent.

In a departure from recent superintendent contracts, Makowski was only given one year. Edward M. Schultz’s full-time stint from 2002 to 2005 remains the longest since 2000. He was interim superintendent from Aug. 13, 2001 to June 30, 2002. Collectively, RCAS’ first superintendent Howard Gilpin (1935 to ‘51) and Harry Grambau (1951 to ’73) served the district for 38 years. Makowski is receiving an annual income of $84,000.00 as superintendent/elementary principal.

IN OTHER business: • Makowski’s recommendation to hire Anne Kosiara and Amanda Karsten as Title 1 aides were approved. Both women are employees of the district, so they already have had criminal history checks.

• Approved the travel request of the Jazz Band to travel to Northern Michigan University (NMU) in Marquette to attend the NMU Jazz Festival from April 19 to April 21. • Hall read a State Board of Education resolution acknowledging Feb. 13 to 17 as principals’ week.

“Thank you for your efforts, over and above the call of duty, we really appreciate it,” said Hall, directing his comments to principals David O’Bryant and Makowski.

• Athletic director Pat Lamb’s recommendations for 2012 spring coaches and volunteers received approval, and are as follows: Wayne Karsten, baseball varsity head coach; Matt Bredow, Pat Quaine, Donald Dehring, Ben Tulgestke and Howard Madsen, baseball volunteer assistants; Karl Grambau, softball varsity head coach; Sarah Simmons, softball junior varsity; Jonathan Hoydic, Gary Bisson and Amanda Karsten, softball volunteer assistants; Rob Kortman, track and field varsity coach; Chad Coolman, assistant track and field coach; Lisa Dietlin-Kortman, track and field junior high coach; David Haselhuhn, volunteer golf head coach; Michael Haselhuhn and Joe Libby, golf volunteer assistants.

• The board accepted and acknowledged the following donations and grants: - $500 donation from Casey Viegelahn to the high school wrestling program. - $2,850 grant from DTE Energy’s YourEnergySavings Program for trap replacements at the Grambau Center.