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 Teacher Tanya Meinburg has been named as the October 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. Meinburg was nominated by Gates Elementary Principal Mrs. Natalie Miller, who wrote:

"I am honored to nominate Tanya Meinburg for the Kids First Award. Tanya is an outstanding second grade teacher at Gates Elementary. She embodies what it means to put children first every single day through her calm and composed presence, creating a classroom where students feel safe, valued and inspired. Her classroom is both structured and caring — routines are clear, expectations are high and kindness is abundant. Even on the toughest of days, Tanya leads with empathy, which is an amazing example for her students.

Tanya has a special gift for working with ESL students, patiently scaffolding language, celebrating progress and ensuring that every child has access to learning and belonging. She also generously offers her time and expertise mentoring teacher cadets and supervising student teachers — sharing her love for teaching, her strategies and her unwavering commitment to excellence.

What really sets Tanya apart is her focus on curriculum rigor combined with the understanding that every moment of the day matters. Whether it’s a morning greeting, a transition, read-aloud or a closing discussion, Tanya makes intentional choices so learning is continuous and meaningful. She designs lessons that engage, challenge and support all students in their growth from both a social emotional perspective as well as an academic one.

Tanya’s professionalism, her genuine care for students’ academic and personal well-being, and her dedication to the school community make her a model educator. Thank you, Tanya, for the difference you make—your work ripples far beyond the walls of your classroom, shaping better learners, citizens and human beings."

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

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 October is Josh Morris. He was nominated by Superintendent Matt Lobban, who wrote:

"In November of 2022, I began attending weekly meetings with those overseeing the work connected to our 2019 Bond. While I wasn’t new to construction, my experience in the industry, particularly on the management and architectural side, was limited. I quickly realized there was much to learn. At the same time, I needed to trust the expertise of those already deeply involved in the work.

From the very beginning, Josh Morris, project manager for our bond projects here in Davison Community Schools and now vice president of DCC Construction, has been instrumental in helping me do both - learn and lead. Though Josh and I had known of each other since high school, our paths hadn’t crossed in over 20 years. Reconnecting through this bond work has been one of the great blessings of my time in this role.

The work we’ve taken on together, alongside so many other amazing and hardworking individuals, can at times feel overwhelming. But with Josh’s guidance, integrity and leadership, we’ve been able to navigate challenges, stay on course, and accomplish so much for our students, staff, and community.

When recently asked for one word to describe Josh, my immediate response was “integrity.” Josh doesn’t just approach his job as a project manager; he treats it as a calling. He serves others through his patience, kindness, grace and honesty. He listens objectively, leads thoughtfully, and always goes above and beyond. Josh uses his years as a student, community member, and parent to do what is best for the students and staff of the Davison community.

To illustrate: on the very first day of professional development in our new performing arts center, Josh showed up, not because he had to, but because he wanted to help. He was there testing the laptop for our presentation, making sure everything worked perfectly. That’s Josh; whether he’s climbing into the rafters of a boiler room to fix a fitting, cleaning a filter, or moving equipment, he’s never too busy or is his position “above that” to lend a hand. He ensures that those around him are supported, accountable and committed to doing things the same way - the right way.

Josh lives here in Davison with his wife and their four children, all of whom attend Davison schools. He is raising a family rooted in the same values he models every day: dedication, service and integrity. That alone embodies what we call “Davison Made,” and raising a family in such a manner is worthy of this award for bettering our community in and of itself.

Josh Morris is everything we hope for in a community leader, driven by purpose, committed to excellence, and grounded in heart. For all that he has done and continues to do for our schools and our community, it’s my great honor to present Josh Morris with this month’s Community Spirit Award."

Pictured below are Superintendent Matt Lobban, Josh Morris and Board President Holly Halabicky.

Davison Middle School Teacher Kellie Alvarado and parent Ashley McCann-Markham were recognized at the October Board of Education meeting for performing the Heimlich maneuver on a student who choked on a piece of meat while at marching band camp.

On the day of the incident, the student tapped Ms. Alvarado on the shoulder and, without missing a beat, Kellie went behind the student and began the Heimlich. After three tries, Kellie realized she was too short to get in the correct position. That's when Mrs. McCann-Markham jumped in and gave three more compressions, dislodging the meat and allowing the student to once again breathe. Their quick actions and calm and attentive behavior made the student feel safe and able to return later that day to the practice field.

Pictured below are Superintendent Matt Lobban, Mrs. Kellie Alvarado, Mrs. Ashley McCann-Markham and Board President Holly Halabicky.

• While there are no significant gaps in test scores when it comes to gender or special education students, Chorley said that ethnicity does seem to play a slight role and the District will be diving deeper into those results. However, the biggest factor remains poverty

Tentative dates for the trip are February 12-16, 2027. The trip will be open to up to 24 students with priority being given to students according to their seniority in the Spanish program; AP Spanish, Spanish 4 and, if the spots have not filled, Spanish 3 students will have the opportunity to apply for a chance to go.

Cost of the trip will be $2,946 and students will have the opportunity to participate in fundraising. Travel and lodging arrangements will be made by Explorica, a commercial tour operator.

The following donations were gratefully acknowledged:

• Behind the Seams recovered two benches with vinyl seating that are used while students are in the office at Gates Elementary.
  
  
• Jackee Heiser from J & J Services made a $300 donation to Mrs. Graham’s classroom at Central Elementary to help purchase snacks and supplies for her students.
  
  
• The family of Mark Dawson donated two snare drums, two bell kits, five violins and seven ukuleles in loving memory to the Davison Music Department to help support young musicians who could not otherwise afford these instruments.