Corrigan Property Dispute Ends; School Handbook To Be Revised
By Jessica Delaney

A dispute centering on ownership of property between the Mackinac Island Public Schools, the City of Mackinac Island, and Tom Corrigan has finally drawn to a close. There was a problem regarding property lying between Mr. Corrigan’s estate and the school. It was discovered that Mr. Corrigan actually had a claim to ownership on land that reached a few feet inside of the school building. Quit claim deeds have been filed, however, to solve the problem, and the school will retain its property up to an existing fence which separates the school and Mr. Corrigan’s property.

Discussion of revising the school handbook intrigued board members. Superintendent Jack Dehring claimed that several parts of the handbook have been confusing for some parents and that rewriting will make them more easily understood.

“We’re just trying to clarify some language that can be hard to understand,” said Mr. Dehring. “It’s mostly minor wording changes about attendance policy.”

Mr. Dehring also wants to change graduation requirements. Currently, the handbook reads that students are required to take industrial arts as well as computer science. In the past, however, neither subject has been offered. Mr. Dehring suggested that the handbook state that these classes were recommended, but not required.

Also, the State of Michigan is exploring changing the requirements that students take a certain number of credits in math, science, social science, and English. Mr. Dehring suggested that there be a requirement of four credits in each of the core classes, and that two writing classes be required as part of the English requirement.

Currently, students are required to have 25 credits for graduation. Over a course of four years, a student traditionally takes 28 credits, meaning that three classes can be failed. Mr. Dehring would like to increase the total number of credits to 26.

None of the suggested changes to graduation requirements would be effective for the class of 2006, although the superintendent would like to see the class of 2007 having the new rules toward graduation. The board will continue discussion and vote on the changes at a later date.