As the new school year approaches on Bois Blanc Island, the community faces a significant hurdle: finding a teacher for their tiny, four-student schoolhouse. Despite its picturesque setting, this small island community is grappling with a statewide teacher shortage, exacerbated by its remote location.

Bois Blanc Island, just 34 square miles in size, is home to about 100 residents, making it Michigan’s smallest school district. The isolation is stark, especially in the harsh winters when access is limited to planes. Christine Hasbrouck, a local grandparent and teacher aide, likens it to “remote Alaska without the mountains.”

Education Amidst Isolation

Unlike the more accessible Mackinac Island, Bois Blanc’s ferry service halts for much of the year, further isolating its residents. The local K-8 school has seen its enrollment fluctuate, dipping as low as two students in 2019. Rochelle Balkam, chair of the Michigan One Room Schoolhouse Association, notes that while Michigan once had nearly 7,000 one-room schoolhouses, only a handful remain today.

Superintendent Angie McArthur announced that the district is currently interviewing a potential teacher, though this candidate lacks the necessary teaching certification.

The district would need to secure a long-term substitute permit and ensure the candidate enrolls in a teacher preparation program to extend beyond a one-year term.

On Bois Blanc, the teacher wears many hats, acting as educator, counselor, principal, and purchasing agent. School board president Cindy Riker emphasizes the personalized instruction possible in this setting, where lesson plans are tailored to each student’s pace.

School board member Amanda Beugly wants to make the island her family’s permanent home but hesitates to enroll her children without a qualified teacher.

Her daughter, Andrea, faces a unique challenge as she will enter high school in two years, with limited options for continuing her education on the island.

Financial Strain

Economic pressures and the trend toward school consolidation threaten the survival of small schools. Bois Blanc Island School’s budget of $245,000 means spending nearly $61,000 per student, almost triple the expenditure of Detroit Public Schools.

The Importance of Structure

Christine Hasbrouck, who prefers not to homeschool, values the structure and social learning provided by the school. She stresses that students gain more than academics; they learn essential routines and life skills.

Conclusion: A Community’s Hope

Despite the challenges, the residents of Bois Blanc Island cherish their lifestyle and hope to retain a full-time teacher. They acknowledge the difficulties but remain optimistic about finding a solution that preserves their unique educational environment.

TDPel Media

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