Complaints over the terrible condition on Pleasure Island Road prompted Northland Pines district administrator Mike Richie to send a letter to Eagle River city council members pointing out the road reflects poorly on the city and school district and shared the letter with the school board Monday night.
“This road is a poor reflection of the city infrastructure and the Eagle River area to our tourists,” Richie wrote. “I implore you to please find a solution to improving Pleasure Island Road.”
Richie told the board he gets complaints every day on the road condition and hoped a modification of total repair might be explored. Cost of proper repair of the entire road approaches $1 million and would include new base, new blacktop, increase turning radius . . . all of which is cost prohibitive.
“I would suggest focusing on the north end of Pleasure Island Road from the elementary school entrance to the stoplight on Highway 45 and G,” Richie said. “This would at least give anyone who travels the road the option to use the north end to enter and exit the school campus. Focusing on the north end makes sense, would be fiscally responsible and would solve the problem.”
It is estimated just repaving the north portion would reduce the cost to near $200,000 but would fall entirely on the city. “The city has asked us to contribute and the district answer has always been 'no' to help pay the cost,” Richie said. “I would hope this road would be a priority.”
Other reports/action: Eagle River elementary school principal Karie Jo Bornberg informed the board grants received from the Land O' Lakes Fish & Game club along with River Valley State Bank to purchase children bee suits for elementary students. Bornberg said middle school science classes will teach elementary students about bees and take them to the hives for hands-on learning. The board approved purchase of 120 refurbished lap top computers from Blue Range of North Carolina for $64,850. The district received seven bids. The board approved the school lunch prices for the 2016-17 school year. All prices would remain the same except elementary lunch would increase five cents. Finally, the board approved the resignation of Tara Kizewski, 8th grade language arts and the retirement of Sandy Reynolds, middle school math, at the end of the school year.
