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10 retiring school district staff honored; board approves first round of new hires for 2018-19

Photo by Crystal Hayduk. (Left to right) Beach Middle School Principal Nick Angel with Dave Polley.

By Crystal Hayduk

Smiles and tears exemplified the bittersweet feelings of staff and administration alike at the Chelsea School District Board of Education’s meeting on June 11 as 10 staff members were honored for their years of service to the district.  

One by one, school principals took a turn presenting their building’s retirees, noting their special qualities and how much they will be missed. The board presented gifts to those whose retirements are effective with the close of the 2018 school year.

Board President Anne Mann said that those who are not retiring until the fall will receive their gifts later.

South Meadows’ Principal Stacie Battaglia presented the “dynamic team” of Ann Andraska (speech/language pathologist) and Susan Langen (teacher consultant), “much loved” Denise Bentley (paraprofessional), and “book expert” Patricia Whitney (media assistant).

Nick Angel, principal of Beach Middle School, presented “everybody’s favorite science teacher” Dave Polley.

Photo by Crystal Hayduk. (Left to right) Teachers Marta Learman, Lisa Cole, and Laura Cleveland with Chelsea High School Principal Mike Kapolka.

Chelsea High School Principal Mike Kapolka spoke highly of Spanish teacher Lisa Cole, physical education teacher and “winningest” volleyball coach Laura Cleveland, and history teacher Marta Learman, who has the distinct honor of having been chosen by the students as class escort 23 times. Learman’s retirement will be official in the fall.

Additionally, Cathy Gasieski of food services (fall retirement) and Tina Valchine, a bus driver, are retiring. Transportation services director Rick Boham said he was pleased to announce that Valchine had agreed to remain on the substitute driver list.

In the first round of hiring for the 2018-19 school year, the board approved four new district employees.

Claire Popovich will be an art teacher at Chelsea High School. The position became available following Geo Rutherford’s resignation. Popovich completed her master’s degree in teaching and art education from the Maryland Institute College of Art. One of her references said, “She brings excitement and expertise with her great personality.”

Superintendent Julie Helber said, “We can’t replace Geo, but we think Claire will be a great addition to Chelsea High School.”

Josh Lucas will teach physical education at the high school in Laura Cleveland’s place. With a degree from Grand Valley State University, he comes to the district with four years of teaching experience. In his written recommendation to hire Lucas, Marcus Kaemming, executive director of instruction and human resources, said, “His honest, positive approach will fit well on our team.”

Lucas was also hired as the new Chelsea Head Football Coach.

Claire Talarico will serve both South Meadows and Beach Middle School as school psychologist following the resignation of Emily Verbeke. Talarico has been a school psychologist since 2013. She received her degrees from the University of Nottingham (England) and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. “She has great capabilities and the team unanimously felt she would be perfect for the job,” said Helber.

Photo by Crystal Hayduk. Left to right) Patricia Whitney, Ann Andraska, South Meadows Principal Stacie Battaglia, Denise Bentley, and Susan Langen.

Caleb Coon will take Dave Polley’s science teacher position at Beach Middle School. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Coon is currently working on his master’s degree at the University of Michigan. References said Coon is “incredible, humble, and reflective.” Helber said that Coon is a second career teacher who previously served our country in the Air Force.         

During the first opportunity for public input, Chelsea Mayor Melissa Johnson addressed the board. She said that she had recently received a phone call from the high school that her son had been injured.

“Nobody likes to get that call, but everything outside of that incident went right,” she said. Johnson praised the actions of Principal Kapolka, teacher Adam Taylor, school nurse Marijane Nelson, and the rest of the staff. “When your child gets hurt, just to know that everyone comes together and cares for them like their own child was really important to us.”

In other board news:

There was a lengthy information and discussion session regarding School of Choice/Open Enrollment. See related story here.

The school board accepted a donation of $1,600 from the Wolter and Mark families to fund the commissioned work of Dr. Scott Boerma of Western Michigan University. Dr. Boerma composed “A Chelsea Fanfare” for the Chelsea High School bands.

The school board approved the purchase of K-12 physical education resources for $29,484.45.

Additionally, the board approved the purchase of sound systems for Beach Middle School and Chelsea High School. The bid of $173,254 from Inacomp TSG includes an option to tie into an upgraded PA system.

According to Scott Wooster, director of technology services, the system is at least 19 years old and will need upgraded in the near future. Funds for this project are part of the 2016 bond replacement cycle.

Upcoming date:

The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on June 25 at the Washington Street Education Center, immediately following a budget hearing.  

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