Trending
MARQUETTE -- Elimination of the school's Wildcat Aquatics Club was a hot topic during Marquette Area Public Schools' board of education meeting Monday night, dominating the conversation over the rebranding.
Multiple members of the public spoke during public comment to tell the board the importance of the Wildcat Aquatics Club after the board discussed its discontinuation of the Wildcat Aquatics Club partnership with Northern Michigan University.
Alumni and parents had much to say in response.
With the help of some volunteers, Rob Sved went through all 1,609 individual Upper Peninsula titles since 1980 and counted 663 of that number who were members of club swimming in Marquette County. At Marquette Senior High School, there are currently 669 record-holders in swimming and 576 of them, or 86%, are club swimmers.
Superintendent Zack Sedgwick brought up the issue of the custodial shortage and how that hinders the district's ability to continue to provide facility rentals, such as the MSHS pool.
"I don't understand the logic of why this can't continue," said Allison Wallace, the mother of a MAPS student. "They pay their dues to rent the pool, there's revenue coming into the school. If it's a janitorial issue, I can think of a whole group of parents who are more than willing to help out."
Another MAPS mom, Sarah Janda, spoke about the benefits of club swimming and how its affected her to daughters that partake.
Crystal Keso said, "My son has tried many sports and he's never really stuck with one. Mental health with COVID-19 is a big deal and swimming is a passion for him and we have seen a change with his confidence and him being able to socialize with other kids. I clearly don't want that to go away or be reduced."
Earlier in the meeting, Sedgwick provided an update that pleased many of the attendees concerned about the pool and the aquatics club.
"I am actively working on that topic," he said. "Although it's a little early for me to make any public commitment, I am optimistic with some of the progress I've made and hopeful that we are able to pivot on some of those decisions that have been made."
In other importance business, some important notices came from MAPS assistant superintendent Jim Lampman
The board considered a $500 stipend for all staff except for Sedgwick and Lampman. This would include long-term substitute teachers who consistently fill positions at MAPS.
"I appreciate the board's consideration of such recruitment and retention efforts such as the stipend to really show our gratitude to our staff," Sedgwick said.
He estimated the cost of the previously mentioned stipend as $230,000.
Lampman then relayed in his budget report that MAPS has received a one-time payment from the state in the amount of $310,500. The sum is intended to use only on transportation, as dictated by the state. This payment was part of Gov. Whitmer's plan to increase funding for public education.
Money was allocated in the 2023-24 budget to purchase four additional school buses, however only two were actually purchased.
"We've been trying to invest in our school bus fleet," Lampman said. "However, in meeting with the transportation director, we thought maybe it would be better to spread some of these purchases out. We're looking at purchasing two buses this year that we'll likely bring to the January meeting for approval."
In total, the proposed amended budget was $45.8 million.
As a note, President Kristen Cambensy made a correction to the minutes of the Special Board Meeting of Dec. 12 as concerning MSHS's rebranding process. There are 35 student advisories -- not 45 -- that will be given 10 names each, tasked with voting on the names until each is left with one name.
Nicknames will be discussed after the school's holiday break at the Jan. 8 board meeting.