School Board Ponders Student Health Issues, Seeks A New Social Studies Teacher
By Leslie Rott

The bubble gum machine will be removed from Mackinac Island Public School this fall, and the school board is pondering the merits of a pop machine, the proceeds from which support the sports boosters.

Discussion on the merits of wellness and nutrition dominated the Mackinac Island Board of Education meeting Thursday, July 20, which otherwise served as the annual organizational meringue.

"We have a real obligation to promote the health of our kids. These should be the healthiest kids in the State of Michigan," said community member, parent, nurse, and wellness committee member Kris Clark. "I know the sports boosters make a lot of money off it. But do we really want to feed our kids high fructose corn syrup?" she asked the board of the pop machine.

School secretary Barb Fisher, who doesn't usually comment at meetings, commented on the snack foods students can buy during the school day.

"Chocolate pop tarts may be yummy," she said, "but they're not a good choice for breakfast,"

Mrs. Clark suggested that pop only be offered during athletic events, so the sports boosters could still make money, but not during school hours. She also suggested that water be offered during lunch and that some teachers may be too free in providing unhealthy snacks to students.

The matter was sent to the Building and Grounds Committee, which intends to come back to the board with recommendations as to what should be done about pop in the classroom.

On the heels of hiring a new superintendent, Roger Schrock's first task will be to hire a new teacher. High School social studies teacher Jessica Clark has resigned from the Mackinac Island Public School to take a position at Engadine Consolidated Schools, where her husband is the band director.

Of the move, she said, Engadine "is the only school I would leave the Island for."

Mrs. Clark taught at Mackinac Island Public School for two years.

In other business, Ben Mosley was reelected president of the board, Paul Wandrie was reelected vice-president, and Trish Martin was reelected secretary, although she received a no vote from trustee Jason St. Onge because she does not have email. Sara Chambers was reelected treasurer and was also sworn in as a trustee, having won a new term on the board this spring.

Superintendent Roger Schrock was appointed executive secretary and assistant treasurer to the board, which authorizes him to sign all bank statements. He was also designated as the individual responsible for posting public notices regarding regular and special meetings of the board of education.

Meetings during the school year will be held at 6 p.m. and during the summer at 7:30 p.m. Regular meeting dates will be August 17, September 21, October 19, November 30, December 21, January 25, February 22, March 22, April 19, May 17, and June 21.

The First National Bank of St. Ignace was chosen as the depository for school funds.

The Mackinac Island Board of Education is a member of the Michigan Association of School Boards, and the superintendent is a member of the Michigan Association of School Administrators and the American Association of School Administrators. The board voted to continue membership in all of those organizations.

City Clerk Karen Lennard was appointed as the school election administrator. In previous years, the superintendent has acted in that capacity, but the new state election consolidation law has resulted in school and city elections being held on the same day, which will now allow the two entities to share expenses.

The law firm Thrun, Maatsch, and Nordberg have been the board's legal counsel for many years and the board voted to keep them as such for the 2006-2007 year. It was also decided that the superintendent and treasurer are designated to use the safe deposit box.

The board also re-adopted Policy 5090, which deals with issues of conflict of interest and ethical responsibilities. It outlines the appropriate chain of command when dealing with conflicts in the school system.

Budget and breakfast hearings were held prior to the organizational meeting.

The budget was tabled so that a meeting can be held with the budget committee and changes can be made based on the new superintendent.

The school calendar was also tabled until it is reviewed by the new superintendent.

Trustees voted against having a breakfast program in the fall. Mackinac Island Public School has never had a breakfast program, since students walk or bicycle to school and most, if not all, eat breakfast before school.

The board also received several pieces of correspondence. From ex-superintendent Jack Dehring, the board received a thank-you note for the letter jacket he received and for their work while he was superintendent.

Mr. Mosley received a letter from John Hulett, general manager of Grand Hotel. The Republican Party wants to hold a straw poll at Mackinac Island Public School in September 2007. Mr. Mosley, who is employed by the hotel, said that Grand Hotel has always been a good tenant when it has held events at the school and all board members agreed that it would be good publicity for the Island. Mr. Mosley suggested that the board wait to discuss the matter further when Dr. Schrock assumes his position August 1.

Dr. Schrock was present at the meeting, although he does not begin work until August 1 and could not act in an administrative role at the meeting.

The next regular school board meeting will be Thursday, August 17, at 7:30 p.m.