School board OKs architects contract
Escanaba looks to renovate high schoolBy Audrey LaFave
ESCANABA - The Escanaba School Board voted to enter into a contract for architectural services at a special meeting Wednesday.
Superintendent Dr. Tom Smith said the board contracted with Diekema/ Hamann Architects and Engineering of Kalamazoo.
"The building and grounds committee recommends that Diekema/ Hamann Architects of Kalamazoo be selected and maintained for assessment, planning and design of a future renovation project focused, but not limited to, the Escanaba High School, and that the district further negotiate a specific contract," said Smith.
Smith said the board would like to see Diekema/Hamann work together with the construction management firm they recently hired, Wolgast Construction.
"The (building and grounds committee) further recommended that Mr. Hamann be invited to commence his assessment in conjunction with Wolgast Construction, and that a contract with Diekema/Hamann should be reviewed by our legal counsel."
Board member Gary Seehafer said the building and grounds committee felt Diekema/ Hamann was the right choice because they had worked with them on the remodeling of the Escanaba Middle School from summer 2001 through 2004.
"We have a working relationship with this company and we're happy with their work," said Seehafer. "This will be focused on the high school but not limited to the high school." Other buildings will most likely be assessed at the discretion of the board of education.
Smith added the special meeting was called to get the ball rolling on this project.
"One of the things we're most concerned with right now is to not drag our feet, and put off this assessment until we're trying to do an assessment (of the building) when kids are in school," said Smith. "That would not be good."
The cost to hire the architect, Smith said, should be slightly less, but similar to, the fee they were charged for the middle school project.
The board also entertained personnel recommendations and hired seven teaching positions and appointed two employees to extra duty.
Jenny L. Baumler was hired as a cognitively impaired special education teacher at Lemmer School. Marci Downey, Gladstone, was hired as a first grade teacher for Franklin School. Magan Lantagne was hired as an itinerant technology teacher. Melissa Mariin-Aho was hired as a music teacher (35 percent) and physical education itinerant teacher (30 percent). Laurie Moberg, Escanaba, was hired as a second grade teacher at Franklin School. Tara Mosier was hired as a kindergarten teacher (50 percent) and an itinerant art teacher (50 percent). Gina Pepin, Gladstone, was hired as a first grade teacher at Webster School.
Extra duty recommendations included Theresa Heidt as freshman volleyball coach and Andrew Johnson as assistant hockey coach.
