Benjamin Cowen controls the Kingsford High School Auditorium light board during an event at the school. The Breitung Township School District had all the lighting, the electrical for the lighting, the sound system and projection system upgraded in the auditorium, which is used for community as well as school events. Cowen is the son of Justin Cowen, who serves as a classroom technology integration specialist with the district. (Courtesy photo via Iron Mountain Daily News)

KINGSFORD — Breitung Township Schools is working to connect the district with the community through building upgrades aimed at increasing use.

“I really see the outstanding connection with the community and the school. They feel comfortable asking and using the facilities, they’re engaged at events — we have really nice attendance, whether it be a sporting event or a concert, a lot of involvement,” Superintendent Dave Holmes said.

The district has two funds they are using for building upgrades. The community voted in 2017 for a sinking fund that sought .9 mills over 10 years, which would generate about $375,000 a year. Several projects have been completed using this fund, and some paused due to COVID-19 are now moving forward again.

Well over 20 years ago, the public improvement building fund was created for capital projects.

Justin Cowen, who serves as a classroom technology integration specialist, described some of the key components completed with the sinking fund.

“In the auditorium, all the lighting, the electrical for the lighting, sound system and projection system, were all upgraded, which made a big difference in our community,” Cowen said. The auditorium is a venue not just for school activities but public events as well, he explained.

“These upgrades were huge, not only in helping our students but helping our community use our building,” he said.

The sinking fund also was tapped to jumpstart the one-to-one computer program. Early kindergarten and first-grade students received iPads, while second to 12th grades have access to Chromebooks. The regular fund can be used to maintain the program.

All the projection systems at Woodland Elementary were upgraded, Cowen said, and they will start the same process this year at the middle and high school.

They have also redid their entire camera system with better cameras that allow the building administrator to access the security system when necessary. It was among several steps taken to improve school safety and security.

“We applied for several safety grants over the course of years to implement school resource officers, improve the physical safety of the building by replacing doors, replacing card readers’ scanning system. We’re combining that next year with a grant to help us improve the PA system. One thing that we learned through our training is communication is really a key when there is a crisis situation, so having good-quality PA systems and phone systems — those are some of the things that help,” Holmes said. “We have the ability to inform all our staff in multiple devices with InformaCast.”

That program allows administration to broadcast to individual devices in the classroom and personal devices of staff members.

“Whenever we can marry those two together — the grant funding along with the sinking fund or the community improvement fund — it helps make that project much more comprehensive,” Holmes said.

Another project in the works is bathrooms improvements at the high school.

“Our community uses the high school a great deal, the auditorium, so we’re going to expand the restrooms and make them more ADA-compliant and modernize them,” Holmes said.

The bathroom upgrades are expected to be completed this summer if contractor timelines can be met.

As enrollment has grown, the district has added a new board room that serves as a multi-purpose room during the day. The community school’s preschool and daycare have been moved to the central office.

“The space really helps when you’re trying to connect with groups,” Holmes said.

Woodland Elementary Principal Kristina Brazeau said they have been replacing sinks, hot water heaters and counter tops in classrooms. They’ve updated the bleachers and the sound system in the elementary school.

The plan is to modernize and totally refurbish a classroom pod — set up for each elementary grade — a year with new cabinetry, new carpets and new sinks and classroom furniture, from the public improvement fund, Holmes said.

They have received a donation from the Novickis family that has really been a catalyst for improvement in their music department for the past three years. They’ve upgraded the entire band room, with new carpeting, cabinetry and a utility room.

Another large donation came from the Zanardi Family Trust. They have used a portion of the money for scholarships and student programs and camps. Use for the rest is still being decided.

“The general theme is, ‘How can we enhance the student experience and make things more functional, more safe and continue to upgrade the house, so to speak,'” Holmes said.