School Board Considers Security Measures, Proposed Student Trip
By Sean Ely

In a brief school board meeting Thursday, June 21, scholarship awards for Mackinac Island's two graduating seniors were announced. Kristi Kamphuis was awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Little Stone Church and $3,500 from the John F. Franks Scholarship. Scott Roguska will receive $500 from the Stella King Scholarship fund and $500 from the Boys of Mackinac Scholarship.

A new school sign will be placed close to Cadotte Avenue so that passers-by can identify the building. Trustee Trish Martin suggested installing a garden wall and flowers around the sign, to make the area appealing.

It was proposed that a dray be hired to remove garbage that has accumulated or been dumped behind the school, near the shop area. The board is concerned that it is becoming a public dumping area. The school could use the area for storage, trustee Leanne Brodeur said.

Budget and auditing for last year and the upcoming school year were placed on the July meeting agenda.

Superintendent Roger Schrock proposed installing new inner doors at the north end of the school building, which would remain locked while a security camera would monitor the area just outside the doors. Two sets of doors at the north side, Chief of Police Bill Lenaghan agreed, would be a wise investment. Someone could open the outside doors and enter the foyer, in case of bad weather, but the other set of doors would remain locked. A buzzer would be placed near the inner doors. The measures would help office workers identify visitors before they gain entry. The proposal was sent to the Buildings and Grounds Committee for review.

Discussion of a student trip to Spain may continue at the July meeting. Seven students, who have passed a Spanish II class, are interested in the adventure through a Spanish Club program. In an educational trip, the students would visit sites such as Madrid and Granada. Amy Malone would be the chaperone, and in charge of coordinating the trip.

While school board president Ben Mosley said he liked the idea of an educational trip, he and audience members pointed out the district's rule of allowing trips only in the Western Hemisphere. Other school board members suggested hearing more information about the trip before a decision is made. The next school board meeting will be Thursday, July 19, to be pre- ceded by a budget hearing and a public hearing on a school breakfast program. Although the school has never had such a program, every year, a hearing is scheduled for members of the community to come and discuss whether school breakfasts should be offered. The federal program provides cash assistance to states to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions, according to the Web site of the United States Department of Agriculture.

The July 19 meeting will be an organizational meeting to elect officers, choose a law firm and accountant, and appoint people to conduct elections and post meeting notices.