On January 3, students in grades five through eight will attend classes at the high school and old Central Elementary building
ISHPEMING -- When the Christmas break begins for the Ishpeming schools, it'll mark the end of Phelps Middle School since the building is closing.
Monday, orientation sessions were held to get the students familiar with their new home and the set-up.
Starting Monday January 3, the 240 students from the Phelps Middle School will be moved to the High School-Central Elementary School complex for their classes.
"We are in the process of emptying classrooms, emptying storage areas, clearing them, and then over break, we will be moving everything that needs to come from the Phelps building into this building," says Vicki Lempinen, principal for grades 5-12.
Space isn't a problem--at one time Ishpeming High School housed a thousand students. With the addition of the Phelps students to Central Elementary and the high school, the building still won't be at capacity.
The district is spending about $110,000 in renovations.
Although a millage to approve an $11 million bond proposal failed back in May, a renewed millage from last November is providing the necessary funds to make these capital improvements. The money being used is not coming from general operating funds.
Closing Phelps Middle School is projected to save the district about $300,000 a year.
As far as scheduling, class periods will be a little longer since the Phelps students will operate on the high school bell schedule.
Even though they'll be in the same building, Lempinen says the administration's goal is to keep the students separate.
"We've been very cognizant of trying to keep the middle school and high school separate as much as possible, so we've established certain days for the library to be used."
As for district food services, operations will remain in the Phelps building at least until the end of the year.
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