By Crystal Hayduk
Amanda Clor is Chelsea High School’s new principal, following her approval by the Chelsea School District (CHS) Board of Education at its meeting on Aug. 5. (Vice-president Eric Wilkinson was absent.)
The position became available following Dr. Nick Angel’s resignation to become superintendent of Grass Lake Community Schools.
The board approved Clor in consent action, and there was no discussion. However, according to the memorandum from Assistant Superintendent Marcus Kaemming recommending her for the position, Clor was one of 24 applicants. Five candidates underwent three panel interviews made up of district administrators, teachers, support staff, students, and parents.
Clor received her undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Madonna University. She is an experienced administrator from the Warren, Michigan area.
Kaemming’s memo said Clor’s references indicated she knows high school pedagogy and delivery and is passionate about student learning and support. References called her a relational leader who builds “… meaningful bonds with stakeholders. Her students knew she cared about them and their well-being.”
The board also approved the hiring of Ellen Hicks as North Creek Elementary School’s psychologist. She is replacing Claire Talarico, who resigned. Hicks attended Michigan State University, with her most recent degree a doctorate in school psychology.
The board approved the purchase of voice services and a secondary internet connection from Advanced Communications and Data for $21,000. The proposal had been discussed at length during the July 22 board of education meeting. (For more information, visit the July 22 board report.)
In his report to the board, Superintendent Mike Kapolka said there will be a ribbon cutting and community open house at the Pierce Lake Early Childhood Center at 6 p.m. on Aug. 28.
“We are in the home stretch for [hiring] most of our positions,” said Kapolka. There will be a final round of interviews on Aug. 8 with two candidates for the Director of Safety and Security.
Thanks to the most recent hires in the transportation department, the district is beginning the school year with no route cancellations. The food service department is fully staffed for the first time in three years. The district still needs to hire six to eight more paraprofessionals, but Kapolka said it is typical that these individuals are hired throughout August up to the start of school.
The school board meeting is available for viewing on the district’s YouTube channel here.
Upcoming dates:
The next board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 19 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
The first day of school for students will be Aug. 26.
There will be no school Aug. 30-Sept. 2 for Labor Day weekend.
