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Michelle Cowhy hired as Chelsea School’s executive director of finance

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By Crystal Hayduk

With all members present at their meeting on November 28, the Chelsea Board of Education unanimously approved the hiring of Michelle Cowhy as the district’s new executive director of finance and administrative services.

She will replace Teresa Zigman, who will close out nearly 15 years with the district at the end of December.

Superintendent Julie Helber said that the district went “rapidly into action” following Zigman’s resignation earlier this month.

Cowhy was the top candidate, with a number of years of relevant experience, which included more than 11 years as the financial services coordinator in the Chelsea School District, prior to her most recent six years as the finance director for Milan Area Schools.

Helber reported that school districts will need to be attentive to what transpires following President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of Betsy DeVos as education secretary. With DeVos’ support of schools of choice and education vouchers, along with Trump’s campaign promises, there is potential to impact the district’s funding.

Helber drew attention to recent noteworthy successes among district students. Four high school students qualified as finalists in the Michigan Math Prize Competition – Chris Cooley, Dominic Gasbarre, Ethan Pfeiffer, and Josie Surel (related story https://chelseaupdate.com/4-chelsea-high-school-students-finalists-michigan-math-prize-competition/).

Beach Middle School’s three robotics teams performed well at the Mason Regional Qualifier (related story https://chelseaupdate.com/beach-middle-school-robotics-takes-3-teams-regional-qualifier/).

Athletic Director Brad Bush wrote in his report to the board that the 2016 fall season was one of Chelsea’s most successful. Boys tennis and girls cross country won the SEC White, boys cross country won SEC White and regional championship, football won SEC white and district championship, girls golf won regional championship, and eight athletes from the girls swim and dive team qualified for the MHSAA state meet.

In other board news:

Upcoming dates:

  • The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on December 12 at the Washington Street Education Center.
  • There will be no school for winter break from December 23 through January 6. School will resume on January 9.
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