ESCANABA — The Escanaba School Board voted to continue accepting applications for enrollment of students from outside the Escanaba School District for the 2019-2020 school year at its meeting Monday night. The board will continue to operate a schools of choice program in compliance with the State School Aid Act of 1979. State statute permits local school districts to enroll students who reside in other local school districts within the same intermediate school district, as well as students who reside in school districts located in neighboring intermediate school districts.

“All students are welcome to the Escanaba School District,” said Escanaba School Board President Dan Flynn.

The Schools of Choice program allows students to determine a school they would like to attend. Participation is optional for school districts. The local level school boards determine the details of applying and enrollment dates, and programs accepting enrollment under the School of Choice program. Students need to contact the school they are thinking of going to if it is not in their district.

In other business:

– The Webster Kindergarten Center will transition into “Webster Kindergarten Center – Little Mo’s”. A donor has offered to pay for a marquee to be installed in front of the school and they will transition with enhancements of black and orange.

“They have clearly taken ownership over that program,” said Escanaba Superintendent Coby Fletcher. “They have done a spectacular job academically … you can tell there’s some school spirit going on there. They want to get these kiddos started early.”

– Eskymo Fan Club President Linda Beauchamp announced the organization’s golf outing went well with over 152 people attending.

– Lemmer Elementary Principal Matt Reeves announced summer school will be starting soon at Lemmer and Soo Hill Elementary schools from 9 a.m. to noon for three and a half weeks.

– New hires Joseph Compton (EHS Spanish teacher), Amy Calouette (Lemmer secretary), and Anthony Perino (athletic director) were welcomed by the board.

The Escanaba School Board Committee of the Whole meeting, will be Monday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m. in the courtyard room in the Escanaba Upper Elementary.