Les Cheneaux School Board Sets Goals With ‘Three Cs’

Discusses Ways To Help Develop Student Moral Character

By Amy Polk

Communication, curriculum, and character were identified as three areas the Les Cheneaux Community Schools Board of Education wants to improve this year. Trustees at the Monday, August 15, meeting adopted three ideas they called "the conceptual framework" for administering goals over the next year.

Trustees will establish ways to improve communication, curriculum, and character, with board members leading groups in each area.

President Dan Burrows and Carl McIntire will examine character. Trustees discussed a perceived nation-wide school character crisis and will identify characteristics they think students and staff should aspire to. Suggestions included a more stringent dress code, requiring student athletes to dress-up on game days, requiring better dress at away games, professional attire for trustees at board meetings, random drug testing for all staff members (not just bus drivers), and requesting athletic teams to recognize one player on the opposing team for good sportsmanship. Trustees also want to recognize students and staff for exemplary performance, such as "student of the month" or "teacher of the month."

Mr. Burrows said character is one of the things a board of education can actually steer, and he called for making qualities like moral goodness more of a priority in this district.

"I think it's a thread that permeates through everything we're discussing here," Mr. Burrows added.

Dave Sudol and Tony Hakola are the communications leaders and will consider the school's Internet presence and how the district can better utilize a new Web site posted by the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District. Superintendent Rod Goehmann said trustees now have e-mail addresses and the board may post announcements, board minutes, and general information on the Web site, including the student handbook and district policies, provide links to related sites like the American School Board Journal and Michigan Department of Education, and post discussion topics for educational and legal issues.

Trustees Marianne Coyne and John Causley will identify ways the district can improve communication with the community and staff. The community doesn't seem to know about "all the good things going on in our school," Mrs. Coyne said. She suggested a newsletter could highlight student scholarship winners, summer athletic programs, and student and staff achievements. A marquee to advertise activities, community service requirements, and issues forums for teachers, parents, and students have also been proposed.

Trustee Dave Murray and Superintendent Rod Goehmann will study how the district should improve curriculum. Mr. Murray has proposed interdisciplinary projects, where students combine skills they learn in several subjects, like English, band, and science. Another suggestion is to establish a construction trades program that teaches students to estimate cost and materials and to see how land use can impact a project.

Mr. Murray also suggested implementing a course for seniors to reflect on world events, religious and philosophical perspectives, and future goals.

"It would be a way for them to look at their values and what they want out of life," he said.

Trustee Marianne Coyne suggested lessons on how to manage harassment and bullies. While Michigan schools, including Les Cheneaux, were mandated to adopt "Zero Tolerance" policies against violence and bringing weapons to school, those policies deal with perpetrators instead of the victims, Superintendent Rod Goehmann told The St. Ignace News. There are no policies for victim counseling or other assistance in place at the schools.

"Maybe we can have some suggestions on how to handle harassment or bully situations without all the whispering, how to not feel bad, or how to keep bullies from feeling empowered," Mrs. Coyne said.

Trustees will also ask graduates how well the district prepared them for college.

Superintendent Goehmann said such goal-setting discussions will be held at meetings each month.

In other action, trustees adopted the bus bonding resolution to borrow $350,000 to buy one bus every year for the next five years. The bonds will be repaid with new tax money generated by the millage issue passed by voters August 2. The Board plans to spend approximately $70,000 every year on a bus and affiliated costs.

Elementary School Principal Eric Cardwell reported the school's summer Jump Start program is underway through August 25 with 23 students brushing up on academic subjects. The program is funded by a grant from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and remaining 21st Century Learning money.

Mr. Cardwell said up to 148 elementary students are expected to enroll in the fall, nine more than previously anticipated.

Cedarville High School and Middle School are expecting at least three more students in the fall. Mr. Goehmann said total school enrollment may be pushing 407 students.