IRON MOUNTAIN — A $2 million upgrade is expected to begin in May on the Iron Mountain school campus.

Superintendent Jerry Sardina said the project in the Izzo-Mariucci Center and gymnasium complex is expected to start the first week in May and finish near the beginning of October.

They will work in the gymnasium first, then move to the band and office areas, Sardina said.

The offices may have to move temporarily while work is being completed, Sardina told the school board at a Dec. 8 meeting.

The project includes replacement of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Additional work includes new doors, lights, painting, and flooring. The entrance near the superintendent’s office will be turned into a secure vestibule.

The timeline depends on whether needed parts arrive on schedule. If they don’t, it would back up the project, Sardina said.

He also told the board that the Stephenson School District may be interested in purchasing the two 10-year-old boilers that will be removed.

Money for the project is coming from the Zanardi Trust Fund and an $800,000 grant.

Gundlach Champion Inc. of Iron Mountain is overseeing the project, with MBM Construction of Kingsford, Prime Mechanical of Marquette and B & B Electric of Iron Mountain the main contractors.

In other business, the board:

— Learned the district is interviewing project supervisors for a possible update of the high school track. Sardina said they had met with one company and plan to meet with two others, including Coleman Engineering, which oversaw a project at Kingsford High School. Depending on whether they have to replace the base, the costs could range from $400,000 to $900,000.

— Heard an update on plans to move the Imagination Factory Children’s Museum out of Central School. The building will be renovated to have four to five classrooms, with new doors, lighting, paint and lockers. They hope to move some grades into the school by fall.

— Agreed to post for an educational assistant who will primarily oversee the in-school suspension room and complete other duties as needed.

— Learned the district is still investigating ways to use the former industrial arts building.

— Approved hiring fourth grade teacher Julia Brown, and Andrea Weaver as sixth through 12th grade choir teacher and fifth grade music teacher. Sardina said both are great additions to the staff.

— Accepted a letter of resignation from Karen Ellis as track coach and accepted the resignation of Michelle Mayfield from the kitchen staff.

———

Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.