Board Briefs is a monthly newsletter published after Board of Education meetings. For additional information, please contact the Communications Department at 591-0852.

This month's Pledge of Allegiance was led by Davison Alternative Education students belonging to the Principal’s Advisory Committee, a.k.a the ALTPacas. They were accompanied by Principal TJ Fischhaber. The ALTPacas is a governing body of students nominated by their advisory teachers. They have chosen to run themselves much like a student council would do; selecting nominees for positions such as a president, vice president and secretary. The ALTPacas serve as a conduit from the student body to the principal, and from the principal to the students. They have been charged with helping to improve and maintain the culture of the Alternative High School. DAE’s goal is to offer these students a chance to serve their school, community and peers in a leadership role and to help prepare them for life after graduation.

Hahn Intermediate special education paraprofessional Mrs. Melissa Allen has been named as the November recipient of the Kids First award.

Each month, administrators nominate a DCS employee or contracted staff member who best exemplifies what it means to be “Kids First.” Winners receive a $100 Visa gift card thanks to Mark Owen, owner of MEEMIC insurance, and a certificate. The winner is chosen at random.

Melissa was nominated by Hahn Intermediate Assistant Principal Mrs. Keri Collins, who wrote:

"It is with great pride that I nominate Melissa Allen for the "Putting Kids First" Award. Melissa’s unwavering dedication to our students is felt from the moment they step onto campus each morning. As the school day begins, Melissa is there—our cheerleader and motivator—ensuring that every child starts their day with a smile, a sense of belonging, and the energy to tackle whatever challenges may come.

"Melissa is truly everywhere. Whether it’s in the hallways, the classrooms, or the playground, she is always where the students need her most. She has an incredible ability to be present, to assist, and to care for each child in a way that makes them feel seen and valued. Her energy is boundless, and her commitment to helping students succeed is unmatched.

It’s not just about being present, though; Melissa actively engages with students, offering support, sharing wisdom, and ensuring they have what they need—emotionally, academically and socially—to thrive. Her impact is felt across every corner of our school.

Here is what a few inspired by her have to say:

Aubrey says, “Mrs. Allen is a beautiful and good woman that loves kids. Mrs. Allen puts kids first because she listens and cares about our feelings.”

When Kaiden was asked to say a few things about Mrs. Allen, he replied, “Mrs. Allen puts kids first because she is nice and caring and oh… I’m trying to say this as best as possible… SHE IS THE KINDEST PERSON YOU WILL EVER MEET and she helps me a lot with reading and writing.”

Melissa Allen is a shining example of what it means to put kids first, and Hahn is incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our team."

Pictured below are Assistant Principal Keri Collins, Board President Holly Halabicky, Special Education Paraprofessional Melissa Allen and Superintendent Matt Lobban.

Individuals can be nominated by any DCS staff member. Once a month, the building principal can submit one name for that month's drawing. We are pleased to announce that our winner for November is Katie Strickert, who is currently a student teacher at Central Elementary. She was nominated by Central Elementary Principal Melissa Williams and Teacher Ashley Romine.

"I'm thrilled to recognize Central Elementary Student Teacher Katie Strickert as the recipient of the Cardinal Spirit Award," said Melissa. "In a short time, she has seamlessly integrated into our school community, building strong connections with both students and staff that reflect her natural talent and passion for teaching. It feels as if she was born to be an educator, demonstrating an intuitive understanding of her students' needs and a remarkable ability to support them.

"Beyond her dedication to her host class, Katie has consistently shown a willingness to go the extra mile for any student in need. We are so grateful to have such a dedicated and inspiring individual on our team, and we look forward to seeing her continue to shine in the field of education."

Mentor teacher Ashley Romine said: "I am beyond lucky to have Katie as a dedicated student teacher in my 2nd-grade classroom at Central Elementary, but she is much more than that to the kids and staff at Central. Katie is a true testament to what the Cardinal Spirit Award embodies. From the moment she stepped into the classroom, it was clear that Katie was more than just a student teacher—she became a vital part of our classroom community. Always willing to lend a helping hand, she has gone above and beyond her responsibilities, supporting both the students and fellow staff members with infectious enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

"What truly sets Katie apart is her remarkable ability to connect with all the students, particularly two newcomers who recently joined the classroom and are English Language Learners. Thanks to her surprising proficiency in Spanish, she has facilitated communication, helping these students feel welcomed and valued. By fostering an inclusive environment, Katie has not only helped the newcomers integrate into the classroom but has also enriched the experience for the entire class. Her efforts have led to strong relationships with both the students and the staff, embodying the true spirit of teamwork and community."

Pictured below are Central Elementary Principal Melissa Williams, Board President Holly Halabicky, Student Teacher Katie Strickert, Superintendent Matt Lobban and Central Elementary Teacher Ashley Romine.

Gates Elementary Teacher Cynthia McCollum is "egg"-cited that her classroom will get the opportunity to raise chickens later in the school year.

The seed money for the project comes in the form of a $500 grant from the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel. The check was presented to Mrs. McCollum at the November Board of Education meeting by Sue VanHollebeke, director of the Southeast Genesee Chapter of MARSP.

Pictured below: Board President Holly Halabicky, MARSP Director Sue VanHollebeke, Gates Elementary Teacher Mrs. Cynthia McCollum and Superintendent Matt Lobban.

The District's coffers have once again been given a clean bill of health following an extensive audit of finances and practices.

The "unmodified" or "clean" audit means there were no findings of errors, financial statements were free of material misstatements and fairly presented and the district complied with the law and reported on its performance objectives properly.

"In our world, that is the absolute highest level of assurance," said Marco Scarpelli, staff accountant with Yeo and Yeo. "There were no significant deficiencies so hats off.'"

Scarpelli said auditors reviewed financial statements, the Education Stabilization Fund (ESSR), the 2020 and 2022 building and site bonds and the Food Services budget. In all, the District had revenues of $77 million and expenditures of $75 million.

Following a presentation by Scarpelli, board members unanimously voted to accept the audit report.

Great job to our Business Office staff (pictured below): Josh Evans, Director of Business Services; Shawn Hoover, Business Office Secretary; Caitlin Bentoski, Accountant; Tracy Wheeler, Purchasing Secretary; and Brigitte Porretta, Payroll Specialist.

Board meetings begin at 6 p.m.

The following donations were gratefully acknowledged:

• Mark Owen of MEEMIC Insurance in Davison donated three $100 Visa Gift Cards towards their sponsorship of the “Kids First” award program.
  
  
• First Baptist Church donated shoes and extra clothing for students at Hill Elementary to be used for students who have accidents and spills during the day.