By Crystal Hayduk
Senior Dylan Ousley shared information about his 18-month journey learning about law enforcement at the Chelsea School District Board of Education on May 23.
Through a combination of the Explorer Program and the school district’s mentorship program (with oversight by teacher Martha Waldo), Ousley spent time with both the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and the Chelsea Police Department (CPD).
Ousley rode along with police officers for two shifts a week to get a taste of the realities of law enforcement as a career. He also spent two afternoons a week doing research, learning more about dispatch, or working with Chelsea Chief Ed Toth.
During his experience, Ousley learned about the variety of continuing education and trainings that police officers maintain, mastered the phonetic alphabet, learned how to document accidents and traffic citations, and observed the differences between large and small departments.
He plans to attend Grand Valley State University in the fall to study law enforcement.
Superintendent Dave Killips reported that the state currently predicts the School Aid Fund to be about $150 million lower than previously expected. “We had planned for an increase of $118 per student, but now it seems it will be holding steady [instead],” said Killips. It is hoped that the state will release the final budget by the end of June.
The board approved the hiring of five new teachers.
Kevin Tykoski, a 2012 graduate of Eastern Michigan University (EMU), was chosen from 27 candidates for the full-time position of math and science teacher at Beach Middle School.
The other four full-time teachers were hired for Chelsea High School. Valerie Johnson, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan and a Master’s degree from Capella University, will teach English. She rose to the top of 104 candidates.
The special education teacher was selected from a pool of 31 candidates. Kurt Phelps has been serving in the district as a paraprofessional since 2010, after earning his bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University in 2007. He just received his Master’s degree from EMU in 2016.
Two social studies teachers were chosen from nearly 200 applicants. Erin Moffett received her degree from EMU in 2015, and taught in North Carolina for the past year.
Laura Bauermeister earned her degree from Michigan State University in 2015 and completed her student teaching at Goodrich High School in April.
“We continue to interview to fill open staff positions,” said Killips. “We’re able to add support positions at the secondary level thanks to the community’s support of the special education millage.”
At the May 9 meeting, Board President Steve Olsen expressed the board’s thanks to the community for supporting the sinking fund and the special education millage on May 3.
He also thanked Rick Catherman and the Chelsea Education Association for their efforts. Killips said the passage of the two millages “… puts us in a better position to improve educational opportunities for all children.”
The school board made the following commendations:
High school teacher Matt Pedlow, who was named Secondary Economic Educator of the Year by the Michigan Council on Economic Education (MCEE). The MCEE also celebrated the team of Nic Arons, Nora Dobos, Zach Lee, and Derek Shaedig for their state championship in the Economic Challenge. The team went on to place sixth nationwide.
Chelsea High School senior Arons, was named a “Brightest and Best” by WXYZ-TV. (The link to his photo and bio is here.)
Sixteen eighth grade students for their recognition by Southeast Michigan Middle Level Administrators Association (SEMMLAA) for achieving top academic honors, and teacher Kristi Henry for being chosen by the eighth grade class as their top educator. (Related story here.)
In other board news:
- The board approved the Washtenaw Intermediate School District’s proposed 2016-17 budget and the 2016-17 board meeting calendar.
- The board approved phone system upgrades from Inacomp TSG at a cost of $105,542.82; and server and data storage upgrades at a cost of $39,012.55. Both expenses will be paid for with money from the 2012 technology bond funds.
Upcoming dates:
- There will be no school on Monday, May 30 in honor of Memorial Day.
- Graduation will be on June 5 at 2 p.m. at Chelsea High School.
- The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on June 13 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center (WSEC).
