East China School District News

October 9 - PLC Delayed Start

October 16 - HS/MS Parent Teacher Conferences (Evening)

October 17 - HS/MS Parent Teacher Conferences

October 17 - Half Day High School and Middle School Only (1-3)

October 18 - No School

October 23 - PLC Delayed Start

October 28 - Board of Education Meeting

October 31 - Half Day Elementary Only

The school year is off to a great start and the East China School District is making significant progress on building bond improvements. Thank you to our community for their support! To ensure long-term financial stability, the district is now focusing on establishing a sinking fund as part of its stability planning strategy.

Previously, a school district's sinking fund was limited to funding building upgrades and repairs. However, new legislation enacted in 2023 has expanded its use to include purchasing and repairing buses, upgrading and purchasing technology, and installing or repairing security systems like cameras and alarms, in addition to building repairs and upgrades. This change means that the East China School District will no longer need to pass separate technology and bus bonds, simplifying financial planning and enhancing resource allocation.

In St. Clair County, the East China School District is one of only two districts operating without a sinking fund. The State of Michigan does not allocate specific funds for repairing or improving school facilities or purchasing buses, Without a sinking fund to pay for these expenses, the funds need to be diverted from the general operating budget. This budget is essential for supporting curriculum purchases, employee costs, and educational programs. The district aims to keep operating funds focused on classroom needs and student enrichment programs.

Within this newsletter there is information on the bond improvements, identified possible sinking fund expenditures and a millage comparison chart with local school districts along with the calendar for the school year. If you would like additional information please visit the ECSD website and click on the Sinking Fund 2024 button or please feel free to reach out to me at scybulla@ecsd.us or call 810-676-1018.

Thank you for all you do to support East China Schools,

Suzanne Cybulla

Superintendent, East China Schools

scybulla@ecsd.us

Sara Black's artwork is all set up at ArtPrize (one of the largest art shows/competitions in the world). It will be in Grand Rapids until Sep. 28th at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in their iconic Pantlind Lobby.

Before the end of the school year, students practiced writing business letters to their favorite company/celebrity. Nick Vitale wrote to Donald Trump and over the summer we got a response!

The envelope had the official presidential seal and it came from Florida. It was a nice letter thanking Nick and signed by Donald Trump. We thought it was just a signature stamp, but when we turned it over, we saw the black marker bleeds through the paper. It was legit signed by Donald Trump.

It doesn’t matter your political preference, this is awesome, especially for a young, high school student! Nick better frame this!!

Students in Mrs. Vojnovski's Business Essentials I started off the school year matching companies and their slogans. This activity not only challenged these young adults, (Maxwell House "Good to the last drop" how many of them would know that?) but it was also an opportunity to get to know each other as the new school year begins.

Cailyn Hutton was the only St. Clair High School student this year to receive a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program. Her impressive PSAT/NMSQT score earned her this distinguished honor. She is one of approximately 34,000 students across the country to be recognized for exceptional academic promise. This is an incredible achievement for her, and I am thrilled to share the news with our school and community.

Superintendent Suzanne Cybulla can be reached at scybulla@ecsd.us or by calling the East China School District at 810.676.1018.

Email: info@ecsd.us
Website: www.eastchinaschools.org
Phone: 810-676-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/EastChinaSchools