By Crystal Hayduk
The Chelsea School District (CSD) Board of Education (BOE) unanimously approved the amended 2024-25 budget at its meeting on March 10, held at South Meadows Elementary School (SM). Nicole Lechner, CSD’s chief financial officer, presented the amended budget at the BOE meeting on Feb. 10.
The amended fund equity is 17.28%. (Related story here.)
A team of North Creek Elementary School (NC) educators gave a presentation with a recommendation for updating the language arts curriculum. Michelle Hilla, director of curriculum and instruction, said the staff has spent two years in the review process, which began with an analysis of the gaps in literacy learning in four areas: literacy essentials, culturally responsive materials, alignment with the CSD Portrait of a Graduate, and academic data.
With the current program only 33% aligned with needs, and a goal of increasing students’ NWEA scores from the current 66% proficient to at least 80% proficient by 2028, the teachers confirmed the need for a curriculum change.
The NC team proposed purchasing Collaborative Classroom curriculum, which meets most of the district’s needs. Additional resources would be added to improve alignment even further. NC would like to begin professional development this spring to ensure the curriculum is ready for students next fall, with annual progress evaluations planned.
The board is expected to vote on the curriculum adoption at its next meeting.
BOE trustee Eric Wilkinson made a motion to amend the individual action item to approve the third through fifth grade ELA curriculum by adding this statement at the end of the action item: “… the board directs the board curriculum committee to assess the curriculum review process and provide recommendations for improvement no later than Oct. 30, 2025 for board review and approval.”
After group discussion, Erin Hunt-Carter seconded the motion. The amended action item failed in a vote of 4-3.
The board approved the original action item: “Superintendent Mike Kapolka recommends the board approve the third through fifth grade ELA curriculum with updated recommendation” in a 6-1 vote, with Wilkinson supplying the no vote.
During information and discussion for future vote, the board learned about an upcoming tech replacement purchase, administrator salary schedule, and reviewed 15 policies at length.
A videorecording of the board meeting is available for viewing here. It is expected to be online through May 4.
In other board news:
Principal Casey Wescott introduced NC’s March Student of the Month, first grader Rhea Graham. Katie Spisich, SM principal, introduced fourth grader Katelyn Schultz, her school’s Student of the Month for March.
The board approved eight new or updated policies to take effect July 1 as part of the policy committee’s review and to bring the district into alignment with current law. The board also approved 16 Title IX policies to be in effect immediately, as well as the new Michigan Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) policy.
During the two opportunities for public input, six people addressed the board. Two were concerned about the state of disrepair at the Cameron Pool at Beach Middle School and two expressed support for policies that help children to feel safe at school. One thanked the board for their respectful engagement and supports the process of looking at test score data to make curriculum decisions. One person said he is proud to live here and have his children attend school in this district.
Jordan Nelson, senior student liaison to the board, said the Red Cross blood drive held at Chelsea High School on March 5 was successful. Surpassing the goal of 30 pints of blood, the drive collected 39 pints of whole blood and four power reds, extending the lives of 97 people.
Upcoming dates:
There is no school March 24-28 for spring break.
The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on April 7 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
