By Crystal Hayduk
The Chelsea School District Board of Education learned about the “Modern Teacher” at their regular meeting on Nov. 23.
Julie Deppner, assistant superintendent, and teacher consultants Heather Conklin and Cathy Kotlarek gave a presentation about transitioning to a blended, individualized learning environment. “This is a framework for creating a vision and professional development to reach the needs of our students in the 21st century,” said Deppner.
In the last few months, key members of the school district have participated in informational meetings, and visited a school district that is already using the program.
From January through April, the district will partner with Saline School District to split the cost of visioning work. Superintendent Dave Killips emphasized the importance of the visioning, and that the purpose of the partnership is to share the cost but not the vision. “We are somewhat on an island by ourselves within the Washtenaw Intermediate School District with having technology in all kids’ hands,” said Killips.
The board approved the purchase of two general education buses and one special education bus from Capital City International in Lansing. The total cost of $296,054 will be paid for with money from 2009 bond funds. Killips said that the district replaces three to four buses each school year in order to keep maintenance costs low and to sell older buses for a higher cost because they are still in good condition. The district’s goal is to standardize the bus fleet, which reduces parts inventory and allows for faster resolution of common mechanical and warranty repairs.
At the next regular meeting, the board is expected to vote on changes to course names for some high school art and vocal music classes and updates to the K-12 music curriculum to align with state and national standards. In addition, the board will consider updates to legal terms and classroom language in reproductive health beginning in the sixth grade.
The board commended the district’s fall season athletes for what Athletic Director Brad Bush called “… one of the most successful seasons in the history of Chelsea athletics.”
The board also commended Bush for being named 2015 Coach of the Year by the “Ann Arbor News.”
Upcoming dates:
- The superintendent search survey here will close at 4 p.m. on Dec. 1.
- The school board will meet to review the community’s feedback regarding the superintendent search at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
- The next regular school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 14 at Beach Middle School, 445 Mayer Dr.
