By Crystal Hayduk
Pierce Lake Elementary School (PL) may begin filling with children again as early as June if the Chelsea School District’s (CSD) plans to reopen it as a community education and early children center are achieved.
Marcus Kaemming, assistant superintendent, and Lisa Nickel, director of special education presented a vision and plan to the school board at its meeting on March 13. Last fall, Superintendent Mike Kapolka chose the two administrators to develop a proposal for the building’s future use, capitalizing on their background in early childhood education.
Kaemming provided a brief history of the building, which opened in 1997 to serve K-5 students, transitioned to serve grades 3/4. The district closed PL in 2010 to save money during a period of declining student enrollment. The building has since been leased by the cheerleading program and Immanuel Bible Church (IBC).
Nickel said the district’s vision for the space is to house the community education department, the district’s afterschool childcare program, Camp Gabika in the summer, and the full-day preschool program.
Plans for phase one of the project (January–August 2023) include completion of tasks the district has already set in motion: licensing, fire inspection, playground equipment, supplies, and technology. Nickel said despite the preparation required, they hope to move community education offices and open Camp Gabika and full-day preschool in June.
Kaemming said phase two plans (August–June 2024) involve exploration of what other early childhood centers offer, understanding what the community wants, and determining what other programming in addition to preschool might be housed at PL.
Using PL as a larger, permanent location for afterschool care solves the space problem at the temporary location (Washington Street Education Center) and will allow the program to expand to provide care for children on the waiting list.
Nickel said full implementation of all the district’s current plans would occur in phase three (July–August 2024), with a grand opening of the building and introduction of new community education offerings.
CSD also wants to be prepared for the potential of state-funded preschool in 2024–25.
She also said the district is mindful of their relationship with IBC and hopes to continue to work cooperatively with them, at least in phases one and two.
Funding for the PL project would come from money that was previously set aside from the general fund, Series 3 bond funds, grants, and sinking funds, said Kaemming. Operational costs are not expected to change in the immediate future because the work is merely changing locations.
The move to PL would also open space in the WSEC 300-400 buildings for either additional use by high school students or leasing to outside entities.
Kapolka thanked Kaemming and Nickel for their work on this “tall task,” and shared in the excitement about having students in the building again.
Michelle Hilla, director of curriculum and instruction, introduced a team of teachers who presented their recommendations for updating the science curriculum for Young 5s through 12th grade and coding standards for kindergarten through fifth grade. One or more teachers in each grade level group explained their exploration process and their findings.
Hilla provided the board with a list of materials approved by the district’s curriculum council, along with their cost and how they would be funded. The board is expected to vote on the recommendations at a future meeting.
Kapolka said area superintendents met last week with Darren Miller, Washtenaw County’s assistant prosecuting attorney, about threat assessment protocol and follow-up. Superintendents were informed that whether a threat is transient (not credible) or credible, their office will typically prosecute.
Based on a recommendation from Thrun, the district’s law firm, the board approved accepting a settlement in the lawsuit against Juul Labs, Inc., a vape company. For about two years, CSD has been a plaintiff in a nationwide lawsuit seeking financial assistance to districts experiencing vaping problems among their students. Kapolka said the initial settlement is for $40,000, but 35% will be taken out for taxes and court fees. Half of the remaining amount will be distributed to schools in the first year, and the other half will be allocated in years two through five. The financial award is based on student enrollment.
The board approved accepting a donation of $2,000 for the Washington, D.C. scholarship fund from Thumbs Up – The Nick King Foundation.
During public comment, two individuals addressed the board. A retired special education teacher provided information about funding and testing for special education students. Ian Brinklow, Chelsea alumnus, offered his services through Equitable Advisors, a company that helps teachers with retirement, if the district ever reconsiders their options.
A videorecording of the meeting will be available to view for one month here.
In other board news:
The updated official student count taken last fall on Oct. 5 is 2,298.
Kapolka thanked Ron Mills, director of operations, for two years of service to the district’s students and staff. Mills submitted his resignation in February, effective March 17. “Ron’s dedication, his servant leadership, his attitude, and what he’s done for the operations department in a short period of time has been outstanding,” he said.
March Students of the Month (Beach Middle School student Aaron Jahr and Chelsea High School student Tabitha Alery) were introduced. (Related story here.)
The board thanked South Meadows Principal Stacie Battaglia for hosting the meeting.
Upcoming dates:
There will be no school March 27-31 for spring break.
The next regular school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on April 10 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
