By Crystal Hayduk
The Chelsea School District (CSD) Board of Education met the high school’s new science teacher at its meeting on March 22.
Chelsea High School (CHS) Principal Mike Kapolka introduced Lyndsay Grasman, who was hired to replace Robin DeGracia following her resignation in mid-January.
Kapolka said the high school is excited to have Grasman join its team. “I look for things that pop during reference checks, and two things stood out time and time again,” he said. “Five different individuals said she is all in for kids. The other piece is that you won’t find anybody who is more dedicated to her students.”
Grasman, earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and her teaching certification from Western Michigan University. Kapolka said she has an eclectic background steeped in science, with “a wealth of experience in her nine years in education,” including but not limited to biology, chemistry, forensic science, and anatomy and physiology.
Kapolka also introduced Kate Gaiser, a junior at CHS who was selected to serve as one of the student representatives to the board of education. She is a track and cross-country athlete, a member of the Key Club, and participates in robotics. Gaiser’s experience with MYLead, a Michigan youth leadership program, stirred her interest in being involved with the school board. “She’s very thoughtful and insightful,” said Kapolka.
Board member Keri Poulter, who participated in the interviews for the student liaison, said Gaiser stood out to her when she said, “I don’t have to be the loudest person in the room, but I can be.”
During the opportunity for public input, sophomore Brooklyn Nguyen addressed the board regarding students not receiving credit for civics taken in spring 2020, a course required for graduation. Students had to retake it to receive credit, which denied them the opportunity to take an elective course in a subject they may be interested to learn more about.
Superintendent Julie Helber presented information about the plan to return to in-person school board meetings and to stream and record the meetings, which will begin in April as approved by the board on March 8.
Meetings will be held in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center with a maximum of 22 audience seats spaced six feet apart. There will be 25 chairs in the Fishbowl inside the building, where the meeting will be livestreamed. Anyone in either location who desires to provide public comment can express their intention by completing a paper form prior to the start of the meeting and will speak in the board room.
If more than 47 people want to attend the meeting in person, public comment will be permitted virtually. Virtual comment is acceptable because the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution on March 17 declaring a local state of emergency until Dec. 31, 2021 due to the continued presence of COVID-19 (related story here: https://chelseaupdate.com/county-commissioners-declare-local-state-of-emergency-thru-dec-31/).
Clear plastic barriers will separate board members and the superintendent.
Meetings will be streamed and recorded through Zoom with auto-generated closed captioning. Recordings will be available on the district’s website for one month. After removal, recordings will be available upon request from the board secretary (currently Laura Bush) for three months.
With Trustee Bush absent, the board approved the plan as presented.
The board heard a presentation from OHM Advisors for furniture, fittings, and equipment recommendations for the elementary and middle schools; as well as recommendations for outfitting cyber security and robotics classrooms.
In other board news:
- As part of the routine upgrading of old equipment, the board approved the purchase of 18 Cisco network switches and modules from InaCOMP TSG at a cost of $62,446.33. Half of the cost is expected to be reimbursed later through the federally funded Universal Service Administrative Company. The district funds are part of the 2019 technology bond replacement cycle.
- The board approved a donation of $1,000 from Linda Napier to support Independence Hall students to continue participation in community-based academic and/or Special Olympics activities.
- The board approved the cyber security curriculum recommendation. Additionally, furnishings for cyber security/500 building and robotics/400 building were approved at a cost totaling $170,845.42, which is more than $12,000 under budget for the project.
- The board also approved the purchase of furnishings for athletics at both CHS ($128,596.06) and Beach Middle School (BMS) ($145,283.64).
- The board commended Brad Bush (CHS) and Jason Morris (BMS) for being named the regional athletic directors of the year. Related stories: https://chelseaupdate.com/brad-bush-named-regional-athletic-director-of-the-year/ and https://chelseaupdate.com/jason-morris-named-regional-athletic-director-of-the-year/.
Upcoming dates:
There will be no school March 29 through April 2 for spring break.
The next board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on April 12 at the Washington Street Education Center.
