The Story of Mona Shores Public Schools

For many years, school administrators and members of boards of education had been searching for a better way of providing an improved educational program for boys and girls.  Early in 1958, the superintendents of Churchill, Hile, Lincoln, Maple Grove, and Little Black Lake Schools sought the advice of officials of the Department of Public Instruction and Michigan State University.  As a result a Citizens Study Committee was established.  From this group a Steering Committee of ten people was selected to guide the direction of the study.  Mr. William Hanna was selected as its chairman.  On May 8, 1959 the Steering Committee made its final report to boards of education of the five districts.  Its recommendation was that all five districts should unite to form a K-12 school district.  Four of the five districts accepted this recommendation.  Little Black Lake District chose to withdraw from the consolidation effort.  Immediately Mona Beach School District asked to be included and was accepted.

On September 14, 1959 an election was held.  At this time the people voted overwhelmingly to join into one district.  Immediately following this election, the Muskegon County Board of Education appointed an interim board of education composed of: Mr. F. Jack Rose, Mr. Otto Ross, Mr. Lawry Hermesdorf, Mr. Richard Livingston and Mr. Russell Anderson.  Upon appointment, the new board began its function of operating the newly created school district, which they named Mona Shores.  The board appointed Mr. Wm. A. Luyendyk as superintendent; retaining the three other former superintendents to assist in organizing and administering the newly formed district.

November 2, 1959 an election was held to select a new board of education.  All interim board members were elected except Mr. Livingston who was replaced by Dr. Harold Dykhuizen.  At this same time, the electorate voted to establish a high school district.

On March 14, 1960 a $2,500,000.00 bond issue was voted for the construction and equipping of a new high school.

Shortly thereafter, the board selected Warren Holmes Company of Lansing, Michigan as its architect.  Before plans were developed, however, a Citizen’s Curriculum Committee was established with Mrs. Eugene Fisher as chairman to determine the needs of boys and girls.  Upon completion of the Curriculum Report, it was submitted to the Bureau of School Services at the University of Michigan.  Heads of departments of the University studied the report and shortly thereafter met with the Mona Shores Board of Education, administrative staff and architects in a two-day session to interpret the report in light of building needs.  Work then began on building plans.

April 5, 1961 groundbreaking ceremonies were held.  On May 5, 1962 the corner stone was placed in position in a public ceremony.

The new Mona Shores High School was completed on August 1, 1962 and on September 4, 1962 grades 9 and 10 were established in the new building and approximately 650 students enrolled in the first classes in the new high school building.