Clarkston board discusses student‑led home‑build pilot for construction‑tech program

District instructors outlined a proposal to identify and acquire a nearby home that high‑school construction‑tech students could renovate or rebuild as a long‑term, hands‑on learning project.

Mr. Goring (speaker 16) described the proposal’s educational benefits — combining shop work, on‑site projects and community partnerships — and suggested three selection criteria: value for student learning, location and community impact. He said the program has produced state champions and local projects and that a site selection committee (construction instructors, local partners and facilities staff) would vet prospective properties before a district review and final board approval.

The junior high principal (speaker 10) described a two‑tier vetting process that would include a first line of local partners and construction instructors and then a district review team (superintendent and directors) before presenting a purchase to the board. Board members supported the idea and volunteered to serve as board liaisons on the committee to streamline administrative work.

Board members raised logistical concerns, including transportation and negotiation strategy for acquiring property. An administrator explained that buying property must be done in public and will likely require a separate meeting to approve purchase amounts or counteroffers; the board agreed to work on formal policy language to govern the process. Administrators said the goal is to secure a house in the spring so students could begin work the following fall.

No formal motion to acquire property was taken at the meeting; the board instructed administration to return with a specific purchasing process and timeline. The discussion closed with general board support for piloting the project, subject to public‑meeting requirements and policy development.