Mold contamination in the historic former Newberry High School building has escalated to critical levels, prompting discussions of possible demolition, as confirmed by the Tahquamenon Area Schools Board of Education. During a special meeting held on October 26, board members addressed the dire situation that has rendered the school building uninhabitable.
The former high school has been closed for over a year due to significant water damage, resulting in extensive mold growth. District Superintendent Shawn Tebo expressed concerns about the hazardous conditions within the building, stating that entry is not safe for any individuals. Despite the mold, the basement houses important school records that may still be salvageable.
Trustee Colleen Duflo remarked on the previous plans for the building, recounting her understanding that it was to be ‘mothballed’ in hopes that future administrations could determine its fate. "So here we are," she said, indicating the urgency of addressing the building's deteriorating state. Trustee Jeff Puckett supported the idea of demolishing the structure, asserting that the financial investment needed to repurpose the building would not yield a return. "The money that would take to repurpose that, no one’s going to pay that," he noted. "You’ll never get the money back."
However, demolishing the building will also incur significant costs. Tebo indicated that state funds from the 23E grants might be available for the demolition project, with further information expected by November 1. In the interim, Tebo plans to investigate the possibility of testing the school records for mold, with the hope of digitizing them to preserve valuable information.
No conclusive decision regarding the future of the building was made during this meeting. The board’s focus was not solely on the high school; they also addressed staffing changes within the district. A pivotal decision was the hiring of Kenn Depew as the new Athletic Director, a role that became vacant following the resignation of Dan Hardenbrook.
Depew, a former student of Newberry High School, has a background in educational leadership and has taught various subjects, including middle school science and chemistry. The board had previously discussed his appointment at their regular meeting, but concerns arose about how his chemistry class, which currently has 24 students, would be managed in his absence.
Trustee Amanda Kitzman emphasized the importance of having a qualified teacher in front of students, stating, “Chemistry is not something that I think should go online.” This year, Depew was assigned to teach chemistry on short notice. Despite his experience in nuclear engineering with the U.S. Navy, he lacks certification as a high school chemistry teacher. Depew reported dedicating significant time each evening to prepare lessons, which adds to his already full teaching load.
The board came to a unanimous decision in favor of hiring Depew as the Athletic Director while allowing him to manage his chemistry duties, transitioning students to an online learning format that would entail Synchronous Online Instruction. This method would allow Depew to still be present in the classroom to assist with labs and monitor student progress.
Discussions surrounding online learning strategies highlighted the flexibility they provide for students. However, there are significant costs involved, particularly with Synchronous Online Instruction, which charges $550 per student per semester. For 24 students, costs could accumulate to approximately $18,000. Superintendent Tebo acknowledged the challenges rural schools face in recruiting qualified teachers, noting that many staff members are engaging in programs like Teachers of Tomorrow to gain certification.
While Tebo is enthusiastic about Depew's potential contributions to the athletics department, she also highlighted the broader challenges the district faces in securing qualified educators. "I think it’s going to turn us in the right direction and get rid of our black eye that we have in our athletics department,” she commented.
Additionally, the board engaged in discussions regarding the district's duty to insure the contents of the TAS Public Library. Greg Rathje, who serves on the library board, brought to light a conversation that began months ago about the need for the library to maintain its insurance policy. He expressed his frustration at the prolonged nature of these discussions, emphasizing that as the library is owned by the school district, the district holds the responsibility for its insurance.
The ongoing concerns surrounding the former high school building and associated school district challenges reflect the critical issues facing the community. As discussions of potential demolition progress, the safety and preservation of historical records remain a priority for the Tahquamenon Area School Board. The board's upcoming meetings will be crucial in determining the next steps for both the school building and the district's overall educational objectives.
Source: The Newberry News
Illustration photo: Smith, Bob, Photographer (NARA record: 8464481) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
