North School Eyed for Closure  

In 1957, a new eight grade school opened near Spring Lake. It was called North School. Today that school houses 78 children in six grades plus preschool and kindergarten.

Now, however, it is being eyed for closure.

At information sessions in January and February, District #317 officials described the budget situation facing the district and several options to trim about $450,000 in district costs. At the school board meeting on Monday, April 6, the board voted to select the option that included the closure of North School and subsequent busing of the children to King School in Deer River.

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Applications due for North Itasca Electric Scholarships  

Applications are due to the Northome School Scholarship Committee by Friday, April 17 for the North Itasca Electric scholarhips. Each year North Itasca Electric Cooperative donates unclaimed capital credit monies to be used for college scholarships for Members and their families.

The recipients are chosen and funds distributed by the Scholarship Committee of Northome School. Applications are available through local high school counselors or by writing Christine Lundin, Counselor, Northome School, Box 465, Northome, Minnesota 56661.

Bigfork School PTO: a community focus  

Parent-teacher organizations – how important are they? “It is an extremely important group,” said Kara Forseen, president of the Bigfork School PTO, “that is dedicated to our school and town.”

Fundraisers like this year’s spring Bigfork School Carnival scheduled for Saturday, May 2 from 1-5 p.m. raise money for a variety of activities, Forseen pointed out. Starting a fund for new playground equipment is a primary focus this year. Last fall all the equipment except five swings, a slide and two teeter totters were deemed unsafe and removed. The ground is muddy in the spring and needs a ground cover like pea rock. And the adjacent tennis court lacks nets, net poles and is missing a side of fencing.

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Nominations open for Director  

Nominations are open for the three Director positions in Districts 1, 2 and 3 for North Itasca Electric Cooperative. Incumbents are in District 1: Mr.Raymond Swang; in District 2: Mr. Wes Waller; and in District 3: Mr. Gino Anselmo.

Members of the cooperative may contact a nominating committee member to suggest a candidate. All candidates must be qualified - they must be a Member of the Cooperative, a bona fide resident of the district having director elections and willing to serve in the capacity of director for a period of three years.

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Why is Energy Cost Rising? 

Utilities across the country are seeing increases in the cost of generating and transmitting electricity. As you’ve likely noticed on your bills, Great River Energy, North Itasca Electric Cooperatives wholesale electricity provider, is no exception.

Despite increases, Great River Energy’s rates remain the fifth lowest among the 20 largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the country, and the organization is taking major steps to slow the rise in power costs. Rising costs are an industry trend – and one that won’t be ending soon.

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Power Up; Energy News You Can Use 

Power Up is a quarterly newsletter available on North Itasca Electric’s website free of charge to our members. This website provides much valuable information and is a must see for those interested in saving money, saving energy, or just wanting to do the right thing for the environment. Listed below are just a few things you will find available:

• Energy conservation tips and recommendations delivered right to your inbox.
• Non-promotional information and resources that can save you and your household energy and money.
• Access to an easy-to-search “Energy eLibrary” – filled with valuable resources, tips, and more.
• Access to HVAC, home energy use and carbon-footprint calculators – providing information to help you benchmark your home’s energy use and identify energy-saving opportunities.

Registration Link: When linking to the Questline registration page from within this text, please use THIS LINK, which tells them that you are a North Itasca Electric member.

For additional information, call Jerry Loney, Energy Management Specialist, North Itasca Electric, 218-743-3131

April 2009 Calendar of Events 

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