Board Briefs

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

Gates Elementary Special Education Paraprofessional Heather Smith has been named as the November 2025 recipient of the Kids First award.

Each month - October through June - 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.

Mrs. Smith was nominated by Gates Elementary Principal Mrs. Natalie Miller, who wrote:

It is my honor to nominate Heather Smith for the Kids First Award in recognition of her outstanding work in the Emotionally Impaired classroom at Gates Elementary.

Heather brings a calm, steady presence to every day, helping students feel safe and understood even as they work through challenging emotional regulation. She has a special gift for recognizing when a student needs a break—before escalation—and stepping in with compassion to help them reset. Her ability to support students who struggle with regulating their emotions is truly remarkable. Whether a student is showing visible frustration, withdrawing, or acting out, Heather meets them where they are. She listens, supports them, and gently guides them back to a place where learning and growth can happen. She treats each day with a fresh start, ready to respond with patience and care to the needs that arise.

Heather doesn’t just respond—she enables. She helps build students’ emotional vocabulary, models coping strategies, and provides them with tools to manage themselves. Her work has profound effects: students feel more stable, more able to engage, more capable of returning to learning.

Heather’s calm demeanor, perceptiveness, and unwavering commitment to every student’s emotional well-being make her a deserving recipient of the Kids First award. Her kindness doesn’t just support students in the moment—it builds a foundation for their long-term growth and success."

Pictured below are Superintendent Matt Lobban, Mrs. Heather Smith Board of Education President Holly Halabicky. and Gates Elementary Principal Natalie Miller

Individuals can be nominated by any DCS staff member. Once a month, an administrator can submit one name for that month's drawing. We are pleased to announce that our winner for November is the Baumbach family of Palace Jewelers. They were nominated by Michelle Edwards, Director of Public Information, who wrote:

"It is my honor to nominate the Baumbach Family from Palace Jewelers for the Cardinal Spirit award.

As a customer of Palace both personally and professionally - we order our coveted 25-year 'Davison D”' watches here - I have had the opportunity to visit the store many times during the past 25 years. Such was the case this past summer when the high school Equestrian Club came in looking for a sponsorship for its program.. It’s not the first time that a group representing students has come in while I have been in the store. And every single time, I have witnessed the business owners always taking the time - no matter how busy they are - to listen and give their full attention to the group standing in front of them. And like many times before, on this particular summer day, I watched Marie write out a check to the school group.

In addition to supporting our students financially, Palace Jewelers also opens up its doors during our Shop with a Hero event each December. They have offered special deals for students who are Christmas shopping for their families and always treat each of them with respect.

I hope that the Baumbach family realizes how much their generosity means to our students and school community."

Pictured below are Board President Holly Halabicky, Maria Baumbach, Tricia Baumbach and Superintendent Matt Lobban.

The District's finances 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, according to Bryson Nugent of the accounting firm of Yeo and Yeo.

"It's a testament to the oversight we have from the staff in our Business Office and for following the policies the Board has put in place," said Superintendent Matt Lobban.

Following a presentation by Nugent, Board members unanimously voted to accept the audit report. The audit can be viewed here: https://secure.munetrix.com/n/Michigan/Schools/ER/Genesee-ISD/District/Davison-Community-Schools/School/Doc_download/68310

Great job to our Business Office staff (pictured below): Nancy Gnagi, Purchasing and Business

Office Support Specialist; Caitlin Bentoski, Accountant; Tracy Wheeler, Employee Attendance Specialist; Shawn Hoover, Accounts Payable Specialist; Brigitte Porretta, Payroll Specialist and

Josh Evans, Director of Business Services.

Board members approved setting January 12, 2026, as the date for the January Organizational meeting. The remainder of the regular monthly meetings will be proposed at that meeting.

Board meetings begin at 6 p.m. and unless noted otherwise are held in the Davison High School Meeting Room across from the gymnasium.

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.
  
  
• Joe Smetanka donated over 100 stuffed animal holders that can be placed on backpacks, bike handlebars, etc. These will be used for positive behavior rewards.
  
  
• Kay Forys donated 30 pairs of underwear and 30 pairs of socks to Gates Elementary to be used by students when needed, as well as six winter coats.
  
  
• Rob Youness, Great Lakes Painting, donated $5,500 of paint and labor to refresh the Cardinal Stadium field goal posts and tunnel.
  
  
• Chris Wagner donated a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT to the Davison Automotive Technology program as a training aid for auto tech students.