Island School Hires New Teacher
By Leslie Rott

Just two weeks after hiring Roger Schrock to fill the position of superintendent, the Mackinac Island Board of Education has also hired a high school social studies teacher to replace Jessica Clark, who resigned at the end of July to join her husband at Engadine. Craig Aho will join the Mackinac Island Public School staff.

Mr. Aho is from Trenary and received the Student Teacher of the Year Award last year from Northern Michigan University. Dr. Schrock told the Town Crier that Mr. Aho has accepted the board's offer and he will visit the Island early in the week to look for housing.

The school board received 34 applications for the position and interviewed six people. Dr. Schrock said that Mr. Aho presented exemplary credentials.

The board will vote on pay raises for board meeting attendance at its September meeting, after hearing a report Thursday, August 17, from Policy Committee Chairman Paul Wandrie on the current pay policy. According to section 1175 on compensation in the Board of Education bylaws established in November 2000, "Board members shall receive $30 per regular or special meetings up to a total of fifty-two (52) meetings (excluding committee meetings) as compensation for their services. Board members shall receive $15 per committee meeting..."

If members were paid $30 for 52 meetings, board salary would total almost $11,000 a year. If members were paid $30 for 12 meetings, it would cost the district approximately $2,500 for board salary.

In 2004, the board suspended committee pay, and, although this change was never made to the policy, it superseded the one established in November 2000.

Trustee Sara Chambers had suggested that the board pay be reviewed, and an increase be considered, and President Ben Mosley asked that the matter be voted on at the September meeting, although the Policy Committee is not in favor of a salary increase, Mr. Wandrie told the Town Crier.

Two board members do not take their salary.

In other business at the meeting, the board discussed a variety of housekeeping issues as the first day of school approaches.

"The budget looks real good," said Trusteee Jason St. Onge.

Dr. Schrock noted that Community Action has inspected the school in preparation for an October start date for a preschool program this year.

The Board tabled the 20062007 school calendar because they are waiting to hear back from the teacher's association to make sure they meet the required amount of hours. The first day of school will be held Tuesday, September 5, but all dates are still tentative.

Local musicians and community representatives will be on hand at a barbecue on the first day of school.

Dr. Schrock also asked the board to make a decision in the next week or two on a date that retreat to set goals for the coming year.

Committee appointments were also made at the meeting and are the same as last year. Building and Grounds Brodeur, Martin, and Rickley (Chair); Budget Chambers, St. Onge (Chair), Wandrie; Curriculum Brodeur (Chair), Chambers, and Rickley; Evaluations and Personnel Chambers, Martin (Chair), and Mosley; Negotiations Mosley, St. Onge, and Wandrie (Chair); Policy Brodeur, St. Onge, and Wandrie (Chair); Public Relations Brodeur (Chair), Rickley, and Martin; Scholarships Chambers (Chair), Rickley, and St. Onge.

Trustees and their term expirations are Ben Mosley, president, 2007; Paul Wandrie, vice president, 2007; Trish Martin, secretary, 2008; Sara Chambers, treasurer, 2010; Leanne Brodeur, 2009; Larry Rickley, 2008, and Jason St. Onge, 2009.