By Crystal Hayduk
Chelsea School District (CSD) passed its audit of the fiscal year ending June 30. Ian Rees of Gabridge and Company, an accounting firm based in Grand Rapids, presented his report at the district’s board of education at its meeting on Oct. 7.
Rees gave CSD an unmodified opinion, or “clean” audit, the highest level of assurance possible, with no internal control findings.
The ending total general fund balance was $7,266,839, an increase of just over $1.5 million since 2023’s audit.
Board secretary Glenn Fox thanked Nicole Darby, CSD’s chief financial officer, for the work she and her team do all year to manage the district’s finances and the time and effort to prepare for the audit.
During the superintendent’s report, Mike Kapolka said Chelsea High School (CHS) was named to the College Board’s AP (Advanced Placement) School Honor Roll. U.S. schools with an increase in overall exposure to AP courses while maintaining passing scores are recognized. Kapolka said there is a “longstanding tradition” of a high percentage of students who take AP exams earning a passing score of 3 or greater. He said he is most proud of the access and equity related to the 13 courses offered beginning in 10th grade.
Kapolka said the preliminary number of students counted on Michigan’s Fall Count Day, Oct. 2, is 2,269. He is pleased with this number because Darby based the preliminary budget on 2,240 students. (Read more about Fall Count Day.)
Casey Wescott, North Creek principal, introduced Ellen Hicks, the school psychologist who is new this school year. Hicks is a graduate of Michigan State University and comes to the district with positive references and work experience in Saline Area Schools.
A videorecording of the school board meeting is available to view here The full audit report is available as an attachment to the agenda here.
In other board news:
Beach Middle School Principal Matt Ceo and Assistant Principal Adam Schilt introduced their school’s October Student of the Month, eighth grader Kathryn Dunn.
The board approved the hiring of Logan Caszatt, who is teaching fourth grade at South Meadows Elementary School. She earned her undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University and her master’s degree from Western Governors University. The top pick of 19 candidates, she was hired due to increased enrollment. [Caszatt was introduced to the board at its meeting on Sept. 9.]
The board approved the hiring of Rachel Tierney as a social worker at CHS following the late resignation of Julia Porambo. Tierney received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from New York University.
Upcoming dates:
There is no school on Oct. 14.
The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center (WSEC). [Note: This date reflects a change from the original meeting schedule.]
