School Board Approves Schrock Contract for Top Post
By Leslie Rott

Dr. Roger Schrock's contract was approved by the Mackinac Island Board of Education at a special meeting Wednesday, August 8, officially making him Superintendent of Mackinac Island Public School.

He will be paid $85,000 a year, with an additional $3,500 payment for the first year for relocation expenses. Dr. Schrock will also receive an annuity in the amount of $7,000 per year in lieu of a retirement plan with the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS).

The Superintendent will work 213 days per year, with 10 days vacation. He will also be allowed seven sick days and five personal days with pay.

The contract is for three years, with a cost of living allowance, although either Dr. Schrock or the school board may terminate the contract after the first year.

"Welcome aboard, sir," President Ben Mosley said to Dr. Schrock after school board members signed the contract.

Trustees Leanne Brodeur and Jason St. Onge were absent from the meeting, but signed the contract the next morning.

In other business at the meeting, the board discussed the possible removal of cedars along the side of the school building, which are overgrown and make access to the building for painting and other maintenance difficult.

Secretary Trish Martin also noted that the board should take care to protect trees that have been donated to the school to honor or memorialize people, and the Building and Grounds Committee was asked to present a full plan to the board at its August 17 regular meeting.

The board's Policy Committee was directed to research trustee pay, after Sara Chambers said she thinks board salaries should be increased. She cited the time trustees spend on school matters, such as the recent search and hiring of a superintendent.

Board members are now paid $30 for attending a regular meeting, which Mr. Mosley said may be as high as board policy currently allows. Trustees used to get paid for special meetings and committee meetings, but those payments were terminated several years ago in budget cuts.

The Policy Committee, Mr. Mosley said, should make sure that changes would not violate existing policy. If there are no violations, the matter will move on to the Budget and Personnel Committee. Mr. Mosley said he hopes the board will be able to act on the matter, one way or another, by the October meeting.

The next meeting of the Mackinac Island Board of Education will be Thursday, August 17, at 7:30 p.m.