Photos and Story by Crystal Hayduk
Administrators introduced their new staff to the Chelsea School District Board of Education at the regular school board meeting on Aug. 24.
North Creek Principal Marcus Kaemming introduced Kim Gasieski (kindergarten) and Heather Hay (first grade). He described them as having the energy and excitement that is critical to working with the district’s youngest students, and both are experienced educators who also have backgrounds in literacy.
Kaemming and Lisa Nickel, director of special education, introduced Jaimie Jackson, who will serve students at all age and grade levels with speech and language needs. “She’s going to wear about 15 hats,” Kaemming said. She previously worked in the Plymouth-Canton district.
South Meadows Principal Stacie Battaglia introduced her building’s two new teachers, Katie Spisich (third grade) and Jordan Miller (fifth grade). “They both impressed me from the moment I spoke to them on the phone [in their screening interviews], and went on to prove that initial impression over and over in the rounds of interviews,” said Battaglia.
Spisich graduated from Western Michigan University and received her master’s degree in administration from Ball State University. She has taught in Florida and Indiana, but desired to settle permanently in her home state of Michigan. “She’s intelligent, fun, happy, and kind,” said Battaglia.
Miller, who also speaks Spanish, graduated from Goshen College in Indiana and has had the unique experience of teaching in Costa Rica for four years. Prior to his move to Michigan, he taught in Indiana. “He’s the only male classroom teacher in the building now,” said Battaglia.
Beach Middle School Principal Nick Angel introduced teacher consultant Sarah Radu, a Chelsea High School alumna. “She’s a nice fit with our staff,” he said. “Sarah has hit the ground running.”
Board President Steve Olsen presented Ron Livengood with a gift to honor his retirement from the position of director of operations. Livengood was a district employee for nearly 20 years. Superintendent Dave Killips credited Livengood for leading the district through a number of building additions over the years, and for his excellence in working with contractors and managing the budget. “You always gave us the best bang for the buck,” said Killips.
During the opportunity for public input, Rick Catherman, band director and president of the Chelsea Education Association, thanked Livengood for leading the district and assuring that things were ready for the students, both for special events and on a daily basis.
The board approved the hiring of Denis Taylor as the new director of operations, who will begin on Sept. 1. With over 25 years of experience, and Taylor has “… knowledge of facilities management, project management, employee team building and ideas for change,” said Killips.
Assistant Superintendent Julie Deppner reviewed district goals and new strategies to meet them. According to Deppner, student achievement assessment methods are changing due to the state’s decision to switch from MEAP to M-Step testing. In addition to the change in testing and scoring, there is a short period of time in which there is no data due to the delay in reporting scores. In the meantime, the district will use NWEA and other local assessments to measure academic progress in some subjects.
Under the goal of enhancing a positive, safe and healthy school climate, the district plans to enhance the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training. The district will update crisis plans, evaluate current plans for critical incidents (such as major medical emergencies), and continue to monitor busing procedures.
Locally, the special focus under the fiscal responsibility heading will be the Sinking Fund renewal.
The two primary strategies to promote interaction between the district and the communities this year include developing an approach to fill the media gap and to explore options with the School Messenger (phone calling system) program. “We would like to attempt to be systematic among the schools with our communication,” said Deppner. “And, we’d like to enhance School Messenger as a way to get messages to parents.”
During public input, Dexter Township resident Jennifer Kundak encouraged the board to remind the community to advocate for public schools at all levels, including the state. “It’s important to express our views as citizens, even if we don’t get feedback,” she said. “It looks like it will be another challenging year for funding and laws.”
Upcoming dates:
- The first day of school for students will be Sept. 8.
- The next regular school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
