Students are seen working in Gladstone’s auto shop class. (Escanaba Daily Press photo)
GLADSTONE — A local school is offering a mechanic program as an elective.
Gladstone High School currently offers auto shop as an elective for students who want to learn about basic vehicle maintenance, restoration and more.
“I’ve been teaching wood shop here for seven years and they had the auto shop sitting open. Mr. Jacques and I talked about starting a class and having one hour of auto shop a day. So, (we) kind of polled the students to see who would be interested in that and we had enough to get started,” said Mark Cousineau, auto shop instructor at Gladstone High School.
Every school day from 8 to 9 a.m., 18 students get to change oil, repair parts, check tire pressure and much more.
Gladstone Principal Andy Jacques said he and Cousineau wanted to bring the program in to the school because they want the students learn and get experience in different fields or industries.
“We’ve noticed that a lot of the schools, I say most of the schools around here, have gotten rid of hands-on classes like this and it is so important for our kids to be able to have those little experiences,” Jacques said.
He explained that some kids may not want to go to college, but want to join the workforce right as they graduate.
“Some kids struggle in a classroom, but they are top students in the auto shop class. It’s fun to see them light up when they come in here. So, it’s a reason for them to come to school,” he explained.
The students are working on a donated 2013 Ford F-150, replacing the water pump and the fuel pump. The truck now has new tires and runs great, the students just need to make some cosmetic repairs and it is ready to be sold.
“The box was kind of beat up, so we’ve been working on that,” Cousineau said.
In addition to repairing vehicles, the students also work on donated items such as lawnmowers, quads, bikes and other machinery.
The students are currently working to bring a quad back to life.
The vehicle was found by Cousineau in a field. He asked the property owner if he could take it for his class and they agreed.
Whatever vehicles, equipment and other machinery repaired are then sold.
Money made from the sale goes right back to the class to purchase equipment, parts and more vehicles to restore.
The students continuously hone their skills, acting as the basic mechanic shop for teachers and staff.
“They’ll do a lot of the oil changes for our staff vehicles and saves a little money for the staff. Plus the kids get that experience, you know, and they get the experience of not only doing the oil changes, but also going to the auto body shops and getting the materials that are needed and coming up with a labor cost,” Jacques explained.
On Monday, the class was working on the quad, practicing checking the tire pressure on a Bronco SUV and flushing the coolant on a 1994 Chevy truck.
“We’ve checked and topped off coolant before but we’ve never gone through the flush and fill. So, it’s gonna be a new experience for all of us,” Cousineau said.
He added that the class is open to any student, saying the students all possess varying levels of skill.
“We have all levels of talent here. I’ve had kids that could rebuild engines. I’ve had kids that you know, didn’t even know what a valve stem was. We just we treat them all the same and try to find something for all of them to do,” Cousineau explained.
The school is always on the look-out for old vehicles and equipment to work on, and Jacques and Cousineau welcome community donations.
Jacques said the class is interested in working on an older truck, but will take what is available to them. Those looking to donate should contact Jacques to set up a meeting.
“It’s just a really neat experience for them (students). Plus, they feel like they’re needed as well,” Jacques said.
