School Support Staff Gets 7 Percent Raise
Archery May Soon Be Offered in District
By Ryan Schlehuber

Archery may soon be an extracurricular activity offered at Mackinac Island Public School, as Island resident Robin Dorman, a 4-H coordinator, was given permission by the Mackinac Island Board of Education to seek funding to purchase archery equipment. The board, at a regular meeting Thursday, January 25, also approved a seven percent raise for three staff members.

The archery program, which will be made available for students and adults after school, will receive about $4,000 to purchase bows, arrows, padding for walls, and a tarpaulin, which will prevent arrows from marking up the area.

The board agreed the school's multipurpose room would be an ideal location for the activity. School Superintendent Robert Schrock suggested the school seek funding.

Mr. Dorman said archery can be offered any time of the year, outside or indoors.

"Archery has been a lifelong interest for me, I love it," said Mr. Dorman, who earned his 4-H certification last spring. "It promotes sportsmanship, responsibility, and provides opportunities to participate in competitions."

Archery was offered on the Island at one time by Joe Brandonisio and Pete Komblevitz.

"I think it's a great idea because it's just another thing kids can do to not get into trouble," said board president Ben Mosley. "I'm 100 percent for this."

The school board agreed to give school secretary Barb Fisher, cook Donna Killips, and maintenance technician Michael Bradley a new one-year contract that includes a seven percent raise, which gives each of the three about $1,600 more each year. The raise meets cost of living standards, according to the board.

Dr. Schrock explained that the support staff usually receives the same percentage raise as the teachers, however, he said, "they are not paid as high of a salary as a teacher, so a two- or three-percent raise isn't as significant."

"We, as a committee, firmly believe they were due for a better raise," said Paul Wandrie, who chairs the board's negotiations committee.

"We're looking at the pay increase as a way to catch up for what is due to them because they have been tie-barred with the teachers, even though they are not part of the teachers contract," said Dr. Schrock. "The support staff works 12 months of the year and they do not have the luxury that teachers' have to seek extra income from a summer job or from running a summer business."

Teachers are still negotiating with the school board for a new contract and have been working under a contract that expired last June.

In other business, Trustees Trish Martin, Leanne Brodeur, and Larry Rickley were assigned to study possible repairs to the exterior of the school building.

Trustee Jason St. Onge told the board he has noticed many places that are or nearly rotting or falling apart and believes it is time to begin thinking about putting some funding toward improving these areas.

Writing is one area where Island students from third grade to ninth grade consistently struggle, said Dr. Schrock, while the board reviewed results of the school's Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP), a test that was taken in the fall.

"The MEAP is the most inconsistent test in the world," said Mr. Mosley. "It changes every year. It's not a good evaluation tool because it's not consistent enough."

"The MEAP has been a moving target," said Dr. Schrock. "It is not an absolute measure to our students' education. These tests are but a slice in time. You have to keep in mind that students can be quite distracted at the time of testing; some have testing phobia, or they had a bad night of sleep."

Ms. Martin said she would like the results to explain better how the students rank with the rest of the state and have their results compared to state standards.

High school mathematics teacher Susan Bennett said the board will have more complete results by next month's meeting.

Dr. Schrock will report to the board about whether Donna Killips, the school's cheerleading coach, will accept the board's offer to make her volunteer coaching position a paid position. The board did not specify a pay wage but did agree to help pay for any costs for new uniforms.

"We need to embrace this program better," said Mr. St. Onge. "Donna has really made this program exceptional. She is really running a good, regular organization."

Ms. Killips created a cheerleading squad five years ago for elementary and middle school girls.

Ms. Brodeur agreed she is doing an excellent job coaching, but questioned whether the pay would subject her program to unforeseen school and state regulations.

Dr. Schrock said he will find out for the board's next meeting on Thursday, February 22.

The board recognized volunteers for their help to redecorate the school library, which now includes new carpeting, a new coat of paint, interesting decorations, and comfortable amenities such as a small couch, plush pillows, and throw rugs.

The board agreed to hire City Clerk Karen Lennard as the school's election coordinator, since municipal and school governments now share election days and city clerks are in charge of the election process.