Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

CHASSELL -- A team of students spent Thursday morning unloading tools and other equipment into the new industrial technology classroom at Chassell Township Schools.

Of course, it was a team effort by students at Chassell and Jeffers High Schools that transformed the former bus garage into a suitable workshop.

"Chassell has its own advanced shop class in the morning, and in the afternoon we have a co-op class between Jeffers and Chassell,” says Superintendent George Stockero.  “They all worked on it two hours a day.  It benefits Jeffers, too, because our small engine class is another co-op."

Teacher Dave Hanke is thrilled to have the new space, which is designated solely for the small engine repair, consumer automotive, and robotics classes.

"We used to share the wood shop area, and we had a lot of problems with the dust, especially working with carburetion fuels, and what not,” says Hanke.  “So now we have a cleaner area, and it's a great help."

The new classroom was the first project paid for by a sinking fund approved by Chassell Township voters last spring.

After the Chassell Township Public School Foundation donated money for a cement floor, the district spent about $10,000 on supplies and initial contracting work.

The students helped cut additional labor costs and enjoyed the hands-on experience.

"An outside company did insulation for us, but then we had to hang all of the drywall,” says senior Daniel Saari.  “We took our time mudding and sanding it all down so it looks good now.  It was really cool to learn because once I’m out of school, I never know what I’ll be doing."

Those students will be back in the garage to add base boards, build tables, and work on other finishing touches.  But the industrial technology class is now all moved in and excited to get to work in the new classroom after winter break.