Chelsea State Bank ad

Chelsea School Board Approves New Hires

By Crystal Hayduk

Note: This is one of two articles about the Chelsea Board of Education meeting held on Sept. 12.

Courtesy photo. Ryan Spencer.

In consent action at their meeting on Sept. 12, the Chelsea School District (CSD) Board of Education approved the hiring of Ryan Spencer as the new director of technology upon Scott Wooster’s retirement on Sept. 30. Superintendent Mike Kapolka introduced Spencer at the meeting on Aug. 22. (Related story here.)

The board also approved the hiring of Nicole Bareis as a teacher consultant at South Meadows Elementary School. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in special education. A former CHS graduate, Bareis is known by the staff and community as hardworking and knowledgeable about the job.

Photo by Crystal Hayduk. Mikaela Mills.

North Creek Principal Kimberly Gillow introduced Mikaela Mills, the new art teacher. Mills holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts education from Hofstra University in New York. She will be teaching art to Young 5s through second grade students, and will be taking on MakerSpace sessions with the students. “We’re hoping to bring a little more STEAM to the STEM and see if we can get some art expertise combined into our technology and engineering effort,” said Gillow.

Photo by Crystal Hayduk. Rachel English.

Dr. Nick Angel, Chelsea High School (CHS) principal, introduced Rachel English, who is teaching Spanish I-III. English comes to the district with nine years of experience. She is a graduate of Hope College with majors in Spanish and biology and a minor in chemistry. English is expected to receive her master’s degree in December from Eastern Michigan University in TESOL (formerly known as Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages).

During the superintendent’s report, Kapolka said he followed up regarding a public commenter at the Aug. 22 school board meeting who shared a parent concern that had been posted on social media. “We’ve reached out individually to that parent and had a … very productive conversation,” he said. Kapolka clarified that the writer of the social media post is employed as a fire captain, and is not the fire chief as the public commenter mistakenly first stated (and then later retracted).

During the opportunity for public input, Chief Robert Arbini (of the Chelsea Fire Authority) addressed the board in response to the Aug. 22 public comment misattributing the social media post to him. He said he has been in the position of fire chief for more than five years and that he enjoys the work in a great community.

“It has come to my attention that my title of Fire Chief was brought into conversation at the Aug. 22 school board meeting stating that I had made remarks on my personal social media account speaking out against the schools/some people/ideologies, etc.,” said Arbini. “I also understand that the person who brought my position into the conversation had later corrected herself and named the employee of the Chelsea Area Fire Authority as the person who made the comments she was referencing.

“While you may agree or disagree with what the employee of the Chelsea Area Fire Authority stated on his personal social media site, it is not my intention to support nor condone his words. Although the correction was made, I feel it is my duty and responsibility to state that I never made any disparaging comments regarding the schools, any one on this board, the superintendent, teacher, student, etc. of this school district. In fact, I think I’ve been one of the biggest allies to this district when it comes to supporting it. I have made sure that when there is an event for the schools, and I am made aware of it, we do our best to be at the event. …”

Arbini concluded his remarks: “I hope for all those in this community that have influence over the students of this district to find unity.”

Three individuals expressed appreciation for a variety of items, such as the tentative agreement, a strong start to the school year, and the hard work of staff during difficult years.

One individual reiterated her concerns stated at previous school board meetings about school security, staff turnover, and students vaping at CHS.

Kapolka thanked staff members Andrea Franco, Daniela Bickel, Shawn Sinacola, Colleen Bertoni, and Dr. Nick Angel for welcoming this year’s 10 international students from Italy, Spain, Brazil, and Vietnam.

The meeting was videorecorded and will be available to view for one month here.   

Upcoming dates:

There will be a work session at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center (WSEC). Note: Work sessions are not livestreamed.

Michigan’s school Count Day is Oct. 5.

The next regular school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 10 in the board room at WSEC.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email