By Crystal Hayduk
The final order of business at the Chelsea School District (CSD) Board of Education (BOE) meeting on Feb. 12 was appointing two new trustees to fill the seats left vacant when Laura Bush and Jason Eyster resigned their positions on Jan. 15.
The remaining five members of the board acted according to Michigan Election Law and school board policy (po 0142.5) to fill the vacancies.
Four individuals submitted the required materials by 3 p.m. on Feb. 8: Fran Brennan, Erin Hunt-Carter, Heidi Reyst, and Saudia Santure. During the two opportunities for public comment, all four candidates introduced themselves to the board.
In her remarks to open the board’s discussion prior to the vote, BOE President Kate Henson thanked the candidates for their willingness to serve and their time and attention to completing the lengthy application. She said all four strong candidates are also small business owners. Glenn Fox, board secretary, said the BOE was in an “enviable” position; Trustee Scott Moore said the applications were “impressive”; and Michelle Craig, board treasurer, called the candidates “brilliant.”
Board members chose their top two candidates for each seat in separate votes.
Erin Hunt-Carter was the top choice to fill Eyster’s seat. Her term will expire on Dec. 31.
Heidi Reyst was the top choice to fill Bush’s seat. Because Bush had also been an appointed trustee, Reyst’s term will expire on Nov. 6, the day after the election.
Following the votes, Henson administered the oath of office to both appointees.
Three additional community members spoke during the opportunities for public input. One thanked CSD students for their kindness and acceptance of all. Another said public schools should be a neutral environment with sexuality a topic for parents to address. The third adult talked about being a 12-year-old bystander as an effeminate boy was teased; two days later, the boy died by suicide. He said the goal is for every child to feel safe.
Michelle Hilla, director of curriculum and instruction, presented a review of the physical education and health curriculum. She said the audit revealed strengths in nutrition and physical activity, social and emotional health, and personal health and wellness. Areas in need of improvement include instruction on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and safety (especially in kindergarten through fifth grade).
At a future meeting, the board will vote on the recommendation to adopt the Michigan Model (MM) curriculum for K-12, at no cost to CSD; and the Safer, Smarter Kids for K-5 at a cost of $2,050/year. Hilla said the MM curriculum does not include HIV prevention lessons at fourth and fifth grades, the Growing up and Staying Healthy unit in seventh and eighth grades, or the HIV, STIs, and pregnancy prevention unit for high school grades.
In his superintendent’s report, Mike Kapolka said it is paraprofessional appreciation week in CSD. He thanked 44 paras in the district for their “integral work in supporting students.”
Kapolka said all bus routes have been reinstated thanks to being fully staffed, the first time in nearly two years.
A videorecording of the meeting is available for viewing here.
In other board news:
In consent action, the board approved the 2023-24 amended budget and the band and orchestra purchase as presented at the Jan. 22 meeting. (See related story.)
In individual action, the board approved voting for Sharon Lee as the district’s Region 7 2024 nominee for the Michigan Association of School Boards Board of Directors. It is a three-year term.
February Students of the Month (North Creek student Cameron Coxford and South Meadows student Bella Cumming) were introduced. (Related story will be published soon.)
Upcoming dates:
There is no school Feb. 16-19 for Presidents Day weekend.
There will be a board work session at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the media center at Chelsea High School.
The next regular school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on March 11 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
