By Crystal Hayduk
The Chelsea School District (CSD) Board of Education (BOE) heard a presentation at its meeting on Oct. 5 about upcoming projects to be paid for with the last phase of 2019 bond funds.
Laura Casai, project director with Kingscott and Chris Martin, senior project manager with Clark Construction shared a number of upcoming projects with a slide show of renderings, most planned to begin next summer.
The projects, which have gone out for bid, include a secure entry at Chelsea High School (CHS) and finish and mechanical updates at Beach Middle School (BMS). At Pierce Lake Early Childhood Center (PLECC), work will include a secure entry, playgrounds, and mechanical equipment. The 100 Building of the Washington Street Education Center (WSEC) will receive an upgrade of the cafeteria and locker room updates that improve accessibility and equity.
The BOE met some of the district’s newest teachers. North Creek (NC) Elementary Principal Casey Wescott introduced four new teachers. Natasha “Tasha” Tortora is a special education teacher at South Meadows (SM) Elementary. In her 10th year as an educator, she earned her degree from Ohio University in Athens.
Joining Wescott’s staff at NC is Carlie Hodel, a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, as a first-grade teacher. Jessica Neff is teaching second grade and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. Both Hodel and Neff are CHS alumni and in their first year as educators. Coming to NC with experience as a fourth-grade teacher, Alyssa Poole is teaching second grade. She earned her undergraduate degree from Liberty University and her Master of Christian Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Beach Middle School Principal Adam Schilt introduced Allison Koppelberger, a science teacher with six years of experience teaching chemistry at Jackson High School. She earned her teaching degree from Spring Arbor University.
The board voted to update Policy 5209, “Student Use of Wireless Communications Devices.” Device use is not permitted on school grounds during instructional time, in accordance with state legislation passed last February.
The policy took effect in CSD with the 2025-26 school year, but the BOE approved the revision, permissible by the state, to read as follows: “’Instructional time’ is defined as the start of the school day when instruction begins until dismissal at the end of the school day. Instructional time may, at the discretion of the building administrator, exclude lunch and time between classes.” The board effectively gave each building’s administrator the power to set policy regarding instructional time exclusions.
Both po 5209 and state legislation allow for specific exceptions that include but are not limited to medical necessity or when required by a student’s 504 Plan or IEP.
In his report, Superintendent Mike Kapolka recognized the district’s principals for National Principals Month. He commended Amanda Clor, CHS principal; Schilt, BMS principal; Katie Spisich, SM principal; and Wescott, NC principal for their leadership.
Kapolka said the district is moving forward with Tyler Technology Transportation system software, which will help manage routing and track ridership, which improves safety.
During the information and discussion portion of the meeting agenda, the BOE discussed this school year’s updated options for 31aa funding for safety and security and/or mental health. They also discussed updates to 21 district policies and tabled two for further clarification. The board is expected to vote on items discussed at a future board meeting.
A video recording of the meeting can be viewed on the district’s YouTube channel here. The discussion regarding 31aa funding begins at 50:00.
In other board news:
- BMS Principal Schilt and his assistant principal, Kaitlyn Gasparovich, introduced eighth grader Shiv Fox, the middle school’s September Student of the Month.
- CHS Principal Amanda Clor and her assistant principal, Sam McKee, introduced senior Emily Schaefer, the high school’s September Student of the Month.
- Kapolka congratulated CHS senior Wyeth Angus for being named a National Merit Semifinalist. About 1.3 million students enter the competition by taking the PSAT test in their junior year, but fewer than 1% reach semifinalist status. Angus will compete to advance to finalist status, which will be awarded in the spring.
- The board approved the hiring of Alexandra Doering as an English teacher at CHS.
Upcoming dates:
- There will be no school on Monday, Oct. 12.
- The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 in the board room at the WSEC.
