Fall Upgrades for NICE Schools

The NICE Community Schools are dropping the cash for upgrades to students’ safety and education.

The district in Ishpeming Township has bought 6 new school buses, along with 300 computers and other peripheral technology items.

The money comes from voters approving a bond issue in May for 4.7 mills over 5 years.

Although the near-$1-million price tag is a big sum for a district NICE’s size, especially with recessionary times, Superintendent Mike Haynes felt the buys were 100% necessary.

He believes buying the6 new buses will be more cost-effective than needing to constantly repair older buses as they age.

And the technology items will allow students to do things they couldn’t have done in the past.

Students in every grade, K through 12, will be able to use the new computer labs, digital projectors and smart boards.