By Crystal Hayduk
The independent auditor’s report of Chelsea School District’s 2015-16 budget was presented at the board of education meeting on Oct. 24. Tracey Kasparek of Rehmann Robson gave the district a “clean, unmodified opinion – the highest level of assurance.”
The district ended the fiscal year on June 30 with a fund balance of $5.2 million. The district’s final budget had about $2,400 more than the originally adopted budget. “That’s some pretty impressive budgeting,” said Kasparek.
Overall, there were no findings, weaknesses or deficiencies, according to Kasparek.
With board member Greg Rhodes absent, the board unanimously approved a resolution to issue Series C of the original 2009 voter-approved bonds for $3.26 million. “We are getting a lot of projects done that were promised to the voters during that time,” said Superintendent Julie Helber.
Teresa Zigman, executive director of business and operations, said that the bond should be paid off by 2025 as planned, if not before.
In other board news:
- Board member Laura Bush attended the Bulldog Jog and Volley for the Cure. She recognized the district’s efforts to fundraise through participation in healthy activities.
- Chelsea High School awarded academic letters to a record high number of 182 students on Oct. 19. Academic letters are earned by maintaining a 3.7 unweighted GPA for the previous three terms.
- Ten CHS students will attend the Diversity Forum at the Neutral Zone in Ann Arbor on Nov. 11. Students from schools throughout the county collaborate on topics such as bullying, cultural diversity, and race.
- There will be a head coaches’ retreat on Nov. 9. Among other things, they will discuss promotion of the multi-sport athlete.
- The board approved a donation of $1,776.28 from St. Barnabas Church to help support programming for at-risk students at CHS.
Upcoming dates:
- There will be a School Board Candidate Forum hosted by the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
- The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 at Chelsea High School, 740 North Freer Road.
- Nov. 22 is a half-day for students.
- There will be no school Nov. 23-25.
