By Crystal Hayduk
The Chelsea School District Board of Education approved the hiring of seven new staff members at their meeting on June 13. The hires, who underwent a three-interview process, were approved by the six board members present; Tammy Lehman had an excused absence.
James Schilt will teach English at the high school. He was chosen from a pool of 108 candidates. Schilt received his undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky and his master’s degree from the University of Michigan. He comes to Chelsea with two years of experience teaching at West Side Academy Alternative High School in Detroit.
Superintendent Dave Killips said, “Lots of time was put into this selection. We looked for someone to light us on fire, and Mr. Schilt was it.”
Beach Middle School is gaining an assistant principal. Matthew Ceo will join Chelsea’s ranks from Saline, where he taught middle school and served as dean of students and a stand-in administrator. Ceo graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan, and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Concordia University.
Killips said that 202 candidates applied for the position.
Beach Middle School will also be the home base for the new social worker, Frederik van Reesema. Twenty-nine people applied for the position, which requires a Master’s Degree. “This is a very good number of applicants for a social work position,” said Killips.
Van Reesema, a graduate of Hope College with a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, came “highly recommended and well-prepared,” according to Killips.
“Another desirable position, but at times difficult to fill, is the district speech and language pathologist,” said Killips. Thirty candidates applied for the job which, along with van Reesema’s social work position, is funded with some of the money obtained through the recent passage of the special education millage. Andrea Ryba received a Bachelor of Arts in communicative science and disorders from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in speech and language pathology from Eastern Michigan University.
The third grade teacher opening at South Meadows Elementary School netted the most applicants out of the current set of new hires. Jaime Schramm was selected from 354 candidates. Schramm has experience teaching in two districts: Fortis Academy in Ypsilanti and Oakside Scholars Charter Academy in Waterford. She received her bachelor’s degree with high distinction from the University of Michigan.
Running a close second for desired positions was the opening for a second grade teacher at North Creek Elementary School. Chosen from a pool of 351 applicants, Marie Larson comes to the district with five years of experience in the Plainwell School District. A dean’s list student, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University.
Stacy Rehmann was hired to teach kindergarten at North Creek. Killips said that Rehmann stood out among 264 candidates for her “expertise and enthusiasm,” following 11 years of experience in the Stockbridge School District, a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, and a Master of Arts in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University.
“Lots of work has happened to staff the open positions,” said Killips. “But, we’re still not done. Notable positions that have not been finalized include principal at North Creek, a counselor and French and social studies teacher at the high school, and an elementary teacher consultant.”
Board member Laurel McDevitt thanked administration for their hard work and dedication to hiring the best professionals for the students.
Chelsea Education Foundation (CEF) President Tonya Gietzen, accompanied by Jennifer Smith, vice president, provided information about the non-profit organization whose mission is to provide scholarships and grants that promote educational opportunities to residents of Chelsea.
“Since 1998, the CEF has awarded more than $540,000 in scholarships to nearly 750 students,” said Gietzen. CEF has also awarded more than 500 grants totaling over $400,000 to educators.
Gietzen reviewed a summary of the 2016 report of awarded scholarships and grants. More information about how to give or apply for scholarships and grants can be found on their website at http://chelseaeducationfoundation.org/.
In other board news:
- The board approved changes to school handbooks.
- The agenda for the next board meeting includes contract extensions for current administrators, approval of a donation of $20,000 from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for use in the SRSLY program, and revisions to district policies reflecting new state mandates.
Upcoming dates:
- The last day of school is June 15.
- The next school board meeting will begin with a budget hearing at 6:30 p.m. on June 27 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center (WSEC). The regular board meeting will follow the conclusion of the budget hearing.
