New Committee Formed To Address Teacher Housing Shortage on Mackinac Island

This story first appeared in the August 11, 2023, Mackinac Island Town Crier print edition

The Mackinac Island Public School Board of Education is eyeing ways to address the needs for staff housing, one of the main barriers to recruiting teaching and administrative staff here. The board formed a new committee to evaluate options at the Thursday, July 20, regular meeting.

Board President Jason St. Onge appointed himself and board members Larry Rickley and Ben Horn to the housing committee, along with an ad hoc member Dennis Dombroski, the city’s engineer and building official. The committee will explore future housing options for school staff, specifically looking at developing the area behind the school. The site housed an old warehouse/ garage and portable classroom.

The board went on a field trip at the end of the meeting to look at the space and discussed possible plans to remove the structures and build two housing units. There would be enough space remaining for a third building should the school have need for it in the future. Part of the plan will depend on the future of the transformers that occupy the space.

“I don’t like the idea of staff having to live right where they work,” Mr. St. Onge said, “but I don’t see many other options.”

Mackinac Island Public School has been selected to be part of a small group of schools to participate in the new Talent Together program recently approved by the Michigan Department of Education. Forty-eight Michigan Intermediate School Districts spanning 63 counties will participate in Talent Together, which has been allotted $60 million in the state budget, retiring school superintendent Amy Peterson said. The program aims to combat the statewide teacher shortage by supporting applicants who want to become certified teachers.

Those seeking certification will be required to meet federal apprenticeship guidelines, which include at least one year of student teaching in the classroom and being fully paid at a competitive wage. The program is starting out with a small group, in which Mackinac Island was selected to participate. One staff member has been chosen to participate and will continue working as a teacher assistant while receiving additional training through the program.

The board also hired year-around resident David Johnson as the school’s new cook. The school is still looking for a custodial maintenance position and a second teacher assistant for a preschool position.

The board approved a three-year service agreement with Johnson Controls to maintain the school’s boiler system. The board also tabled an $85,000 quote for new air coolers, deciding to solicit other bids.