Chelsea State Bank ad

Chelsea School Board Officers Elected for 2022; COVID-19 Response Updated

By Crystal Hayduk

The Chelsea School District Board of Education approved the amended 2021-22 budget, which was prepared to be “fiscally conservative” according to finance committee chair Jason Eyster, at its meeting on Jan. 10.

Michelle Cowhy, assistant superintendent of finance and administrative services said the fund balance currently stands at 14.2%. (Per board policy, the targeted fund balance at the end of each fiscal year should be no less than 15% and no more than 20% of the preceding year’s expenditures.)

Following the meeting, Cowhy clarified that ESSER III funds are reimbursement-based.  ESSER III – Formula money comes through the federal reimbursement process; ESSER III – 11t State Equalization is federal money received through the state. Only part of the ESSER III – Formula money is included in the current budget because it has already been approved. None of the ESSER III – 11t funds are in the budget yet, but need to be used by 2024. The district is still gathering input from the community, school board, and other stakeholders to determine how and when the funds will be spent.

The board elected their 2022 officers, who are as follows: Jason Eyster – president, Eric Wilkinson – vice-president, Laura Bush – secretary, and Shawn Quilter – treasurer.

Trustee Tammy Lehman was absent; Keri Poulter was also absent but had submitted a written resignation on Jan. 7 effective immediately. (See related story here: https://chelseaupdate.com/chelsea-school-district-board-of-education-seeks-new-member-following-resignation/.)

During the opportunities for public comment, two individuals addressed the board. One encouraged the superintendent and board to collaborate on COVID-19 response decisions. Another requested clear communication regarding quarantine guidelines, and stated that if masks are required, they should be enforced equally. Both thanked the board for prioritizing in-person education.

Superintendent Julie Helber said the Washtenaw County Health Department released changes to the COVID-19 response protocols (which were emailed to families on Jan. 11).

Primary changes include removing contact tracing and quarantine for low-risk situations (such as the classroom, lunchroom, and bus); reducing isolation for those with COVID-19 to five days (assuming improved symptoms and no fever for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication) with a negative rapid test required for re-entry; families will receive a standard letter informing of positive cases in the classroom as they occur.

In low-risk situations, individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 may go to school as long as they don’t have symptoms. (Properly worn masks are still required.) If symptoms develop, they should stay home and seek testing.

Helber said staffing shortages have been the typical reason for districts who have moved to virtual learning. “We want our kids in school … every day,” she said. “People are working very hard to make that happen….”

To receive funding, at least 75% of students must be present each day. Helber said the district had 85% attendance the week of Jan. 3, which has been the worst week of the [school] year; compared to 93% attendance during a November week prior to Thanksgiving.

During the board’s first reading of bids for summer bond projects, Helber said the district didn’t receive as many bids as usual. “…I’m hearing [this is] universal; work is aplenty, and so it is difficult to find the contractors and folks to do work,” she said.

This summer’s planned work will be much lighter than last summer, which is timely considering problems with supply chains and hiring, Helber said.

Helber said experts are still working out how to manage the drainage problems on the soccer and baseball fields. Problems with the new weight room floor have also cropped up and the district is beginning work with their attorney to rectify that.

A recording of the full board meeting is available to view for one month at        https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/911?meeting=499068.

In other board news:

Helber expressed her deep appreciation for the board members and their service to the community and school district: “…It’s been difficult for boards across the nation, and these last couple of years it’s been difficult for schools in general with … the pandemic.” To honor their service during Board Appreciation Month, she presented them with Chelsea gear from district administration.

The board approved updates to the Chelsea High School course offerings for the 2022-23 school year.

The board approved the hiring of Austin Elam as a middle school guidance counselor. Elam’s position is paid for with grant funds and will provide social/emotional support to students at Beach Middle School.

The board commended Coach Josh Lucas for the Division 4 football state championship, and teacher Duane Moss for taking 4th and 5th graders to regional and state competitions for FIRST Robotics.

Upcoming dates:

There will be no school on Monday, Jan. 17 in memory of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The next board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 24 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center. (Masks are required for in-person attendance.)

Print Friendly, PDF & Email