With applications for the second round of federal Race to the Top grants nearing, the Moran Township Board of Education agreed Monday, May 17, to support the state's application for the money. The board also accepted the resignation of Blanche Thomas from Gros Cap School's food service, selected bids for upcoming roof and electrical work, and discussed the results of a hot lunch audit.

After failing to reach the top 10 in the first round, Michigan will apply in the second round of Race to the Top grants, said Superintendent William Peltier. He recommended the board of education approve the measure, explaining he is more comfortable with it than he was in the last round.

In the last round, the state developed several reform measures to become competitive for the grants. At the time schools across Michigan were asked to support the move, little information was provided on what measures the schools should follow.

This time around, the schools are aware of what they are agreeing to, Mr. Peltier said. The lion's share of reform measures are focused on failing schools, he added, and would not apply to Gros Cap. Among the measures are conducting teacher evaluations and submitting the results to the Registry of Educational Personnel database and participating in state models to improve low-performing schools.

If the state is awarded a grant, Gros Cap could receive $4,000 to $6,000, Mr. Peltier said. Delaware was awarded about $100 million and Tennessee was granted $500 million in the last round, leaving about $3.4 billion in federal dollars to be awarded in additional rounds. Michigan placed 21st among 41 applicants.

“The reason I am recommending it more this time is this isn't going to go away over time,” Mr. Peltier said. Considering smaller chunks from the overall funding available were awarded last round, many more additional rounds can be expected, he opined.

The school's move is simply a show of support, and the school could always drop out before the money is awarded.

“If there's something in there that we don't like, then we can refuse the money,” Trustee Mike Cope said.

The board of education agreed. The deadline to apply for round two of Race to the Top is Tuesday, June 1. The state plans to submit its application Thursday, May 27.

Blanche Thomas

Mrs. Thomas worked for 26 years at the school as the head cook.

Every five years the Michigan Department of Education inspects Gros Cap and several other schools on a five-year cycle. Each schools' hot lunch area is checked, determining if food preparation is performed correctly and if free and reduced lunch paperwork is handled properly, among other things.

Gros Cap School was the only school in the Upper Peninsula this cycle that received a perfect report, bookkeeper Lillian Clark said. Mrs. Thomas is to thank for that, she added.

“Blanche is going out in style,” Mrs. Clark said.

Special Education

John Evashevski will be hired under a temporary emergency permit as a special education teacher for the rest of this school year. He will replace Jonas Halonen, whose last day was Thursday, May 27. Mr. Halonen served at the school for six years and has retired.

The position for the next school year will be advertised.

Mr. Evashevski previously taught at St. Ignace Area Schools and as a substitute at Gros Cap School. To continue in the half-time position next fall, Mr. Evashevski will need to earn a special education endorsement by earning six college credits in special education learning disabilities, Mr. Peltier said.

Roof, Electrical Work

Three bids were accepted for roof and electrical work on the school's gymnasium, to be performed during the summer. Olsen and Olsen Building Contractors of Manistique was selected to be the general contractor for $22,579. Great Lakes Roofing of Sault Ste. Marie was selected to work on the roof for $23,300, while J. Ranck Electric of Sault Ste. Marie was selected to work on the gymnasium lights for $32,950. The total project cost is $78,829. About 50 requests for bids were sent, Mr. Peltier said, but only one was received for each project area.

Budget Hearing

A public hearing to examine the school's 2010-2011 budget will be Monday, June 21, at 6 p.m. The property tax rate of 16.8734 operating mills proposed to be levied will also be addressed. It was approved by voters May 4. The board's regular meeting will follow.