By Crystal Hayduk
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, School of Choice continues in its third year offered by the Chelsea School District (CSD).
At the CSD Board of Education virtual meeting on June 22, Superintendent Julie Helber told the board that 33 students have applied for the opportunity to attend Chelsea Schools.
Although the board had previously set a cap of 25 students per year for the program, she requested the board consider permitting all 33 students to attend, in light of guaranteed budget cuts and the loss of international students due to pandemic travel restrictions.
She said five of the 33 are already attending Chelsea Schools because a parent works in the district. If the parent were to resign, the children would not be permitted to continue, unless they were placed under School of Choice.
Helber reviewed the number of students who had applied at each grade level. She said class size is one component of teacher negotiations, and the district will continue to prioritize low class size.
Board member Dana Durst said she believes the issue warrants the opportunity for a public conversation before a decision is made.
Board member Tammy Lehman said she would like to see more information about student/teacher ratios at each grade level and about previous numbers of School of Choice students.
Board discussion also included concerns that some communities have higher rates of COVID-19 than Chelsea, and about increasing numbers at a time when there are still unknowns about how to handle recess and lunch.
In 2019-20, 44 students applied for School of Choice; 25 students were accepted per board policy and all attended.
The board is expected to vote on School of Choice for 2020-21 on June 29.
In response to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, the district now has an internal team to increase the work of creating an environment of equity and anti-racism. Helber said prior to BLM, the district had initiatives to improve cultural learning, justice, and examining biases.
The first district goal states, in part, that the district “… will foster students to be globally and culturally conscious citizens who act with integrity. …”
Moving forward, professional development for staff will be available this summer, as well as a book study on these topics.
The district is developing a local action statement. The Washtenaw Superintendents’ statement is posted on the district’s website (https://drive.google.com/file/d/16CX36R2T6KBMRJENeHMZqTYQt7jVqjKQ/view).
Board member Kristin van Reesema said she’s encouraged by the work, yet “we can always do better.” She also said she would like to see a more diversified staff.
Helber said the district’s efforts need to include “student agency. We need to dig in and expose what it’s like to be a student here.”
During the opportunity for public input, Victoria Walz, a former CSD student, said she started a petition two weeks ago asking for a mandatory class about racial injustices to be taught in the district. She also wrote letters to each board member regarding her concerns that minorities encountered racism and didn’t feel heard during their time in school.
The board approved the hiring of Alison Roberts for the position of band director, following the retirement of Rick Catherman. (Related story here: https://chelseaupdate.com/chelsea-high-schools-band-director-rick-catherman-retires-with-photo-gallery/.)
Roberts graduated from the University of Michigan in 2015 and has been the assistant band director for Ann Arbor Public Schools since then. From a pool of 76 initial applicants, Roberts was selected following three rounds of interviews and a teaching sample.
In other board news:
The board heard a presentation about the district budget from Michelle Cowhy, assistant superintendent of finance and administrative services.
CSD athletic practices began on June 15, according to Governor Whitmer’s executive order on June 12. “They are strictly adhering to the guidelines,” said Helber.
The board approved the one-year extension of administrators’ contracts. There was discussion regarding administrator pay freezes for the coming year; letters of agreement are in process.
The board approved handbooks for all of the schools and the 2020-21 board meeting calendar. All of these items will be available to view on the district’s website at www.chelsea.k12.mi.us.
The board commended retiring district employees for their years of work and dedication to the district. Retirees, with position and years of service, are Paul Adamisen, custodian (19), Debra Boham, speech pathologist (23), Susanna Bucholz, parapro (18.5), Rick Catherman, band director (20), Bonnie Desai, parapro (12), Steven Hinz, vocal music director (30), Kristyn Hohnke, administrative assistant (27), George Lawrence, head custodian (18), Karen Lawrence, teacher (26), and Robert (Jim) Zenz, head mechanic, (23).
Upcoming date:
The next board meeting will include a budget hearing; it will be at 6:30 p.m. on June 29, held virtually through Zoom.
