By Crystal Hayduk
Two new administrators will be joining the Chelsea School District (CSD) on July 1 following their approval at the board of education meeting on May 8.
Matt Cunningham will be the new assistant principal and athletic director of Chelsea High School (CHS) following Brad Bush’s resignation last January. Former AD Wayne Welton has been acting as the interim since then.
Cunningham was selected from 63 applicants after a rigorous process of multiple interviews that involved 29 stakeholders, said Superintendent Mike Kapolka.
Cunningham, a 2003 CHS graduate, played baseball at Wayne State University (WSU) while obtaining his undergraduate degree. He also holds a master of arts in education: sports administration, and earned a law degree in 2016 from WSU.
He coached baseball at University of Michigan-Dearborn and served as the assistant AD there. He is currently the AD at St. Xavier University in Chicago. “We’re really excited to bring Matt home,” said Kapolka.
In Marcus Kaemming’s memo of recommendation, he wrote that Cunningham’s references called him a “natural leader,” “inquisitive and able to learn anything,” and is “able to determine facts quickly” with his law background.
Casey Wescott will be the new principal of North Creek Elementary School following Kimberly Gillow’s retirement.
Wescott was chosen from 45 applicants with 37 stakeholders involved in the multi-interview selection process.
Wescott is currently the principal of Long Meadow Elementary School in Rochester and has been an administrator for 10 years. A 1997 CHS graduate, he earned his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University, his master’s degree from Marygrove College, and a specialist degree in educational leadership from Oakland University.
Kapolka said Wescott’s references called him a high-character individual who excels at building relationships and positive, supportive cultures.
Kapolka said it was not planned that both hires are former district graduates, but both had a wealth of experience and education and desired to return to Chelsea.
In other business, students who attend public and participating charter schools in Washtenaw County will soon be given a financial head start on saving for future college or career training thanks to an investment by the county.
Sara Saylor, children’s savings account coordinator for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) presented information about the new program, My Future Fund (MFF).
Saylor said MFF is a “research-based approach to help students and families build assets for future post-secondary educational expenses.”
Initial money for MFF is an investment from the county, with $2.9 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and $3.78 million from the county’s general fund. Washtenaw County’s board of commissioners pledged this funding for the next four years to promote opportunities for equity. Goals include increasing college expectations, increasing the number of students who will complete college or career training after high school, and addressing educational disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing more resources to students who reside in districts with greater poverty. Saylor said research has shown that even small dollar amounts set aside for post-secondary education helps students to envision college or career training in their future.
Eligible students (tentatively in first through fifth grades) receive a free MFF account with an initial deposit of $25, held by the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) and managed by TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing. Students will be registered using data from last October’s Count Day, with a plan for enrolling students who entered the district since that time on next year’s cycle.
Depending on household income, some students may be eligible for an additional $475 COVID Recovery deposit. To receive this, parents or guardians need to provide consent for MFF staff to check for eligibility. (COVID Recovery monies are expected to continue through 2025-26.)
Ongoing support includes assistance to families who wish to open their own MESP accounts, workshops, and education on financial literacy and career development.
Families may also choose to opt out of MFF participation.
MFF is requesting approval from the district to use the directory information to provide information to families about the program. The board is expected to vote on a memo of understanding with MFF on May 22.
Saylor answered board members’ questions about sustainability, pitfalls, and data sharing. More research is needed to determine ways to keep the program going once the initial funding commitment ends. The primary pitfall for similar programs has been not having the opportunity to engage with families, so cooperation with school districts is crucial. WISD will maintain data, sharing it only with MESP through the portal.
During his superintendent’s report, Kapolka thanked CSD’s “quality” and “elite” teachers in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week.
Phase 2 of the bond work is beginning, which includes upgrading lighting to be more energy efficient; carpeting and tilework at South Meadows; and roof work on the buildings. The high school auditorium work will begin this summer, and because it is a necessary “big ticket item,” Kapolka said the drainage work on the soccer and baseball fields has been delayed until Phase 3, planned for 2024-25.
School of Choice applications are open and will run through June 2. (See related press release.)
A videorecording of the meeting will be available to view for one month here.
Board Approvals:
The board approved many items during consent action, including policy updates and the amended 2022-23 budget.
As part of the five-year replacement cycle, the district will purchase 1,000 iPads with cases and 100 Logitech crayons for CHS. The 2019 technology bond will cover the cost of $391,945. The licensing cost of $17,500 will come from the general fund, since licensing is not a permitted use of technology funds.
The district is replacing 15 Epson copiers, PaperCut software licensing, toner, and service for five years with a bid from Printer Source Plus for $270,232, to be paid for with 2019 technology bond funds.
Gabridge & Co. will provide CSD’s financial auditing services for the next three years at a total cost of $95,145.
The board approved the bid package for the CHS auditorium work totaling $975,096.
Dawn Welt was hired as the health sciences teacher for the South and West Washtenaw Consortium. Welt has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Eastern Michigan University and EMT certification from Washtenaw Community College. The position became available with Arlene Kofahl’s retirement.
In other board news:
May Students of the Month (Beach Middle School student Aleeah Wells and CHS student Phoebe Ledbetter) were introduced. (Related story will be published soon.)
One member of the community addressed the board during the opportunity for public input. He encouraged the board to support more consortium classes because college is not the correct focus for many students, and is a source of crushing debt for families.
Upcoming dates:
The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 22 in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
CHS graduation will be at 2 p.m. on June 4 at Jerry Niehaus Stadium.
