By Crystal Hayduk
The Chelsea School District Board of Education and Superintendent Julie Helber participated in a virtual work session on Feb. 22 to learn more about board dynamics.
The event was facilitated by Scott Morrell, a senior facilitator with the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB).
Morrell reviewed the oath of office board members take upon their installation: “I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Member of the Board of Education to the best of my ability.” This reminder of their duties to uphold laws at the federal and state level, as well as local policies and procedures for the length of their service set the foundation for the evening’s two-and-a-half-hour discussion.
Morrell clarified the role of board members in relation to the district, superintendent, community, and students. He emphasized the importance of “staying in your lane,” illustrated by a photograph of confusing swim lane markers.
A school board’s primary responsibility is to set the district vision, expressing a desired future three to five years ahead to motivate possibility thinking. The vision aids in decision making, such as hiring, budgeting, and setting policy.
The board’s other responsibilities include hiring and evaluating the superintendent and setting policy.
Morrell discussed the importance of ethics because the board’s work involves the community’s children and finances.
With Morrell’s guidance, the board worked through a number of issues, including but not limited to communication via email and social media; and confidentiality related to various types of information, negotiations, and open meeting act.
Morrell said trust is the key to a good working relationship between the board and the superintendent. The board trusts the superintendent to offer complete information and the superintendent trusts the board to provide their best support. The presence of trust is expected and built upon, but it is easily broken and lost.
Morrell and the board examined drafts of new policies at length.
Board President Kristin van Reesema thanked Morrell for his time and expertise. “It’s always helpful to have a third-party facilitator when having these tough conversations,” she said.
“We’re not experts. We’re constantly learning [new things] that will help us to be better board members, be a better board, to support Dr. Helber and our students so they can achieve their goals and we can grow as a district. … I want to express my appreciation to the whole board for their diligence and contributions to this conversation. It’s not easy,” she said.
In regular business, the board approved the hiring of Lyndsay Grasman as a science teacher at Chelsea High School. She replaces Robin DeGracia, whose resignation was effective Jan. 15.
Helber said there hasn’t been a lot of response to job postings recently, “especially one that’s hard to hire like a science teacher.” Although there were only four applicants, Helber said the district is fortunate to have found Grasman, who came with glowing recommendations of “phenomenal” relationships with students and high standards.
Grasman is an experienced educator who majored in biomedical science and chemistry at Eastern Michigan University, and received her teaching certification from Western Michigan University with majors in biology and chemistry. Additionally, she is certified in integrated science. She will be introduced at the next board meeting.
Upcoming dates:
The next regular board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on March 8.
There will be a half-day for students on March 12.
