Chelsea School Board learns about Independence Hall Program

By Crystal Hayduk

Chelsea High School teachers Katy Fillion and Saundra Dunn, along with eight of their students, attended the board of education meeting on Monday evening, Feb. 23, to present information about the program for independent living skills.

Students addressed the board and the audience of about three dozen people with the help of a slide presentation of photos and words demonstrating an alphabetized description of various aspects of their education. Sample slides included acceptance, daily living skills, exercise, jobs, questions, technology, and volunteering. Many of the students in the program also attend regular education classes for part of the day, but all have opportunities to gain independence and job skills in a nurturing environment.

During the board’s opportunity to share communications, Steve Olsen, board president, spoke about his Feb. 9 report on a teacher’s health insurance problems. “I’m hopeful that the statements made, or the manner in which I made them, or my personal affect did not offend them. That was not my intention. But if I did, then I sincerely apologize, because that was not my intent in the least.”

Superintendent Andy Ingall reviewed a number of board policy updates and revisions, most of which “update language to match current laws.”

The number of eligible foreign exchange students permitted to attend school will be increased from five to 10 per year.

Policies regarding food services, including vending machines and food served for the purpose of student fundraising, will need to reflect the current USDA nutritional guidelines if served prior to 30 minutes following the end of the school day.

Ingall also discussed the curriculum council’s recommendation to replace “Death of Ivan Ilyich” by Leo Tolstoy with “Unbroken (The Young Adult Adaptation)” by Laura Hillenbrand in the senior seminar course. The change was first suggested by social studies teachers because the language and setting in Tolstoy’s book, written in the 1880s, is difficult for modern students in a general education course to relate to.

In the superintendent’s report to the board, Ingall said that he is watching the governor’s budget, and waiting for the house and senate versions. In an analysis by the house fiscal agency released last week, Chelsea may expect a net increase of only $28 per student for the 2015-16 school year, with $13 of it for “dedicated at-risk funds” with limited use, leaving only $15. The entire $28 equals an increase of 0.4 percent to the foundation allowance – just under $70,000 total, according to Ingall. “If you think about our current budget deficit of a half million, $70,000 doesn’t do much to help us dig into that,” said Ingall.

Ingall said that the governor’s budget boosts retirement spending by $164 per pupil, or an increase of 2.25 percent.

In contrast, the budget adds 8 percent to community colleges, and 2 percent to higher education.

“I can only hope that both the house and the senate have creative drafts in their budgets and that we see something more favorable in the coming weeks or months,” said Ingall.

In other board news:
During board member reports, Laurel McDevitt said that she attended the Company C Showcase on Feb. 21 and that it was nice to see groups from many schools perform so well.

The board approved accepting a donation from Vogel’s and Foster’s for $1,000.

McDevitt commend the staff of Chelsea High School, especially the operations and auditorium staff, for hosting the Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association One Act State Competition on Feb. 13-14 and for their exceptional service.

Upcoming dates:

• The next school board meeting will be on March 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
• Students have ½ day of school on March 12 and no school on March 13.
• Parent-teacher conferences at the elementary schools on March 19 from 3:45 to 7 p.m.