Over 100 attendees came out for a joint meeting Monday between the boards of Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) and Peninsula Township to hear a presentation from a community group interested in keeping Old Mission Peninsula School open.

Group representative Allison O'Keefe outlined a proposal to use an $800,000 donation to establish an education foundation that would purchase the school property under a deed restriction that would designate the site for use as a school and library in perpetuity. The foundation would also help cover the school's annual operating costs, estimated by TCAPS at $400,000. Under the proposal, a committee of township and community representatives would help run the foundation, with TCAPS continuing to operate the school. O'Keefe said the $800,000 wouldn't cover costs indefinitely, but would be a starting point in recruiting more donors and establishing a short-term plan to prevent the school's closure while a long-term solution was finalized.

Monday's meeting was the first opportunity for TCAPS and Peninsula Township officials to hear details about the donor group's proposal. No action was taken at the meeting. Both groups are expected to continue discussions about the school at their respective upcoming board meetings.