School Board Approves 2023-24 Budget, Two Superintendent Candidates for Second Interview

This story first appeared on the Mackinac Island Town Crier news site on July 5, 2023

The Mackinac Island Public School Board of Education approved its 2023-24 budget Thursday, June 22, with total expenditures projected at $2,682,785, and narrowed down the search for a new superintendent, who will also fill the role of principal and athletic director. Superintendent Amy Peterson is set to retire in mid-July, and the board currently has two candidates selected for a second interview, though other candidates are not entirely ruled out.

Mrs. Peterson stated in her superintendent report that enrollment had not changed, and gave updates on the school’s teacher housing, including that rent had been raised as discussed last year from $975 to $1,000 for the 2023-2024 school year. She also discussed a new Mackinac Island Teen Mental Health First Aid program to start in September with MSU Extension, meant to be a preventative measure for students, and not just a ‘bandaid.’ She also reported that the outdoor summer preschool program started last week and the kids were enjoying it.

The board discussed non-instructional staff wage increases, such as for cook, custodian, administrative assistant, and teacher assistant positions. While no action was taken, the board agreed that in order to attract applicants to open positions the wages needed to be enticing. Board President Jason St. Onge said they should work backwards with wage increases after the staff are hired.

While there were no committees who gave committee reports, Mr. St. Onge suggested making a new special committee to discuss the possibility of housing options at the school’s portable classroom area. They agreed to appoint a special committee at the next meeting.

The second annual “Match on the Mack” volleyball game between Northern Michigan University and Central Michigan University will be Saturday, August 19. During Mrs. Peterson’s report, she also discussed with the board a contract with Johnson Controls, before a maintenance person is hired, for routine maintenance of the school’s boiler system.

A number of other items were discussed and approved, including setting the operation tax rate 2023 Tax Rate request form L-4029 and approving the membership with Michigan High School Athletic Association for the 23-24 school year. The master agreement between the Mackinac Island Education Association and the Mackinac Island Board of Education was also approved for 2023-2024, as was the Area Purchasing Agreement (APA), effective July 1, 2023, with medical plan benefits effective Jan 1, 2024 through Dec 31, 2026. The Michigan Retirement Investment Consortium Board Participation agreement was also approved. The APA is a consortium the school would belong to with the UPISD, and would help school employees save money on health insurance, with the example of about $4,000 per family. The Michigan Retirement Investment Consortium Board Participation Agreement adds options for 403(b) and 457 retirement plans.

Eight board policies were approved and adopted, including policy 2623 “Student Assessment” and policy 8400 School Safety Information.

Six of the policies had to do with prohibiting tobacco use, most of them adding updates and additional language to provide education about the danger of tobacco use. They include policy 1615 “Use of Tobacco by Administrators,” policy 3215 “Use of Tobacco by Professional Staff,” policy 4215 “Use of Tobacco by Support Staff,” policy 5512 “Use of Tobacco by Students,” policy 7434 “Use of Tobacco on School Premises” and policy 9160 “Use of Tobacco – Public Attendance at School Events.”