By Crystal Hayduk
The Chelsea School District (CSD) Board of Education (BOE) selected a new trustee at its meeting on June 9. With Glenn Fox absent, the board approved the appointment of Nicolia Heineman to fill the seat left vacant following Kate Henson’s resignation.
Five applicants submitted materials to be considered for the position. Superintendent Mike Kapolka and BOE President Erin Hunt-Carter met with each candidate separately prior to the board meeting. Hunt-Carter said she was impressed by the quality of the applicant pool. “All of the applicants are thoughtful and display a commitment and passion that really touched me,” she said. “I would be thrilled to work with any of them. … Any of them would be an asset to the board and the school community.”
Each candidate was also given three minutes to introduce themselves prior to the board vote. Alexandra Doering, Heather Scott, and Ben Seymour spoke to the board in person. Video introductions of Chad Obenauf and Heineman were played because they were unavailable due to previous engagements.
Board members voted their first and second choices by ballot. Heineman was named the top choice by four board members. Hunt-Carter said Heineman will take the oath of office soon.
Heineman will hold the seat until the election on Nov. 3, 2026.
In consent action, the board approved the hiring of Sarah Bentley as the director of preschool and community learning.
The board approved supporting the Washtenaw Intermediate School District to ask voters in Nov. to approve a 1 mill levy for 10 years for CTE (career and technical education). The approval passed four to one, with Eric Wilkinson voting no. He said he fully supports CTE, but believes the millage as described needs refinement.
The board unanimously approved the issuance of the final 2019 bond series, $27,500,000, to be designated 2025 School Building and Site Bonds. It also approved the superintendent’s contract, effective July 1 through June 30, 2030.
During public input, one person spoke in support of an aquatic center.
The board commended the following retiring faculty and staff for their years of service: Lonnie Mitchell, Andrea Maines, Dawn Putnam, Kim Eder, and James Pearson.
A videorecording of the board meeting is available for viewing here. It is expected to be online until mid-August.
Upcoming dates:
The final sex education curriculum community hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on June 11 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center (WSEC).
There will be a budget hearing and school board meeting at 6:30 p.m. on June 23 in the board room at WSEC.
