MAPS enrollment drops

MARQUETTE - Despite a drop in enrollment, Marquette Area Public Schools has more students than expected.

At the district's regular school board meeting Monday, the board learned the preliminary student count was 3,244 - 69 more students than anticipated, according to Superintendent Jon Hartwig. Last year 3,389 students attended Marquette Area Public Schools - a number that has been steadily declining in recent years. The district's official student count is scheduled to take place Wednesday.

"That's really good news for Marquette schools and our area," Hartwig said.

While student numbers are up, employee numbers are down. Board Trustee Mark Smith said due to retirements, planned reductions and enrollment reductions the district has eight positions less than last year. This leaves the district with $450,000 in savings for 2008-09. Part of the planned staff reduction came from the retirement of the head custodian at Vandenboom Elementary School and an unfilled custodian position at Sandy Knoll Elementary School.

Despite opposition from board trustee Tony Retaskie, the board approved hiring the Spiffy Clean company of Negaunee to perform custodial services at the two buildings. The company currently cleans Cherry Creek Elementary School. The move is expected to save the district about $10,603.

"I am concerned about privatization," Retaskie said, adding that he would like to delay the decision and consult with the union before contracting out custodial services. "It concerns me that we're doing this."

Smith agreed with Retaskie that it is important for the district to offer jobs to the families that send their kids to school at MAPS. In the end, the board approved the move 4-1 with Retaskie voting against the motion.

The board also received the 2007-08 annual report that stated graduation rates of 94.69 percent for Marquette Senior High School and 42.31 percent for Marquette's Alternative High School. The report also included a survey of students' postgraduate plans, with 70 percent applying to a four-year-college, 13 percent reporting to be unsure; 9 percent applying to a two-year-college and 4 percent each planning to enter the military or the work force.

In other business, the board:

= Approved a purchase agreement with Kiplin Hartman of Marquette to buy the unused Toivo Seilo storage building near MSHS for $301,000. The proceeds of this sale will be deposited in the district's capital projects fund.

= Approved snow removal bids to Enright Construction, O.S. Excavation LLC. and Smith Paving.

= Approved a cooperative transportation arrangement between MAPS and Powell Township.