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

Four students from Davison High School were recognized for their achievements in the National Merit Scholarship Recognition program.

Andrew Shorkey: Andrew is a senior at Davison High School and has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as a Finalist. He is the son of Shawnna and Tim Shorkey. Andrew currently has a 4.167 GPA and scored a 1580 on his SAT. Andrew is a member of the National Honor Society and is a Quiz Bowl Captain. He plans on attending Central Michigan University to study chemistry.

Caden Yurk: Caden is a senior at Davison High School and has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as a Finalist. He is the son of Sherri Ruthenberg and Chris Yurk. Caden currently has a 4.310 GPA and scored a 1540 on his SAT. Caden is a member of the National Technical Honor Society. He plans on attending Grand Valley State University to study computer engineering.

Jacob Peterson: Jacob is a senior at Davison High School and has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as a Commended Student Scholar. He is the son of Kathleen and Daniel Peterson. Jacob currently has a 4.357 GPA and scored a 1480 on his SAT. Jacob is part of the National Honor Society where he serves as Vice President. He is also the President of Key Club. Jacob plans on attending the University of Michigan to study nursing.

Jackson Smith: Jackson is a senior at Davison High School and has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as a Commended Student Scholar. He is the son of Dawn Smith. Jackson currently has a 3.671 GPA and scored a 1430 on his SAT. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is a Quiz Bowl Captain. Jackson plans to attend the University of Michigan where he will study pre-law.

Pictured below are: left to right, Davison High School Principal Jerry Piger, Superintendent Matt Lobban, Jackson Smith, Jacob Peterson, Caden Yurk, Andrew Shorkey and Board President Holly Halabicky.

Social Worker Emily Judd has been named as the April 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 agencies in Davison and Flint Township, and a certificate. The winner is chosen at random.

Emily was nominated by Davison High School Principal Mr. Jerry Piger who wrote:

"Emily started this school year with an open mind and the belief that she could help all students at Davison High School. She quickly acclimated and made the adjustment to working in a large school building. During any given day, Emily can be seen talking with students needing an understanding ear and is someone who can be compassionate about outside school issues that may impact being inside school. She does so with a personal approach and professionalism, and balancing the head and heart, to help our students be academically successful as well as socially and emotionally adjusted. In a recent stressful situation, Emily took it upon herself to walk with an upset student and be by the student's side who needed a few minutes to calm down. Emily's thoughtful approach with the student allowed for a positive interaction with everyone involved. Emily then continued to check in on the student for the remainder of the day. She advocates for students and their families that need a champion to support them. Emily is able to help older high school age students and younger students at Hill elementary balancing her time there a couple days a week. It is her Kids First approach that allows her to have such an influence on our students, staff, and families at Davison. She is well deserving of this recognition"

Thank you, Emily, for putting our kids first!

Pictured below are Superintendent Matt Lobban, Social Worker Emily Judd, Davison High School Principal Jerry Piger and Board President Holly Halabicky.

Individuals can be nominated by any DCS staff member. Once a month, the building principal can submit one name for that month's drawing. This month, we are pleased to announce our winner for April, Gary Minto. Mr. Minto was nominated by Siple Elementary Principal Christy Flowers, who wrote:

"There are many factors that work together to make a school district great. One very important piece to that puzzle is the involvement of community members. When I think about a dedicated member of the Davison community that has volunteered and given their time for the betterment of the Davison Community Schools I think of Mr. Gary Minto.

Pictured below are Superintendent Matt Lobban, Gary Minto, Siple Elementary Principal Christy Flowers and Board President Holly Halabicky.

As required by ARP/ESSER III, districts must review and/or update the Return to In-Person Learning and Continuity of Service Plans at least every six months throughout the life of the grant. Board members were provided with a revised version of Davison's Return to In-Person Learning and Continuity of Service Plans. The plan includes detailed district procedures and guidance for instruction, health, cleaning, testing, athletics, transportation, food services, and vaccinations per federal requirements.

Board members approved a resolution that acknowledges May 6-10 as Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week in Davison. The District is fortunate to have highly dedicated staff members who work diligently for the benefit of our children and community. Administrators and school building parent groups are planning special activities to celebrate staff during this week.

Bids to construct secure entry vestibule additions at Hill Elementary, Thomson Elementary and Davison Alternative Education were approved at the April board meeting.

The Buildings, Grounds and Transportation Committee met on April 4 and reviewed the bids and the recommendations. Board members approved the low bids totaling $805,191.75:

• Concrete: Gross Construction, $198,000
• Masonry: Masonry Solutions Midwest, $161,200
• Structural Steel: Men of Steel, $98,900
• General Trades: J. Perez Construction, $89,400
• Roofing: Superior Service, $104,324
• Glass & Glazing: Pearl Glass & Metals, $31,490
• Flooring: SCI Floor Covering, $11,800
• Mechanical: Dickerson Mechanical, $55,000
• Electrical: Energy Electric Services, $55,077.75

Construction will take place during the summer.

In order to proceed with repairing HVAC rooftop units that were damaged by the hail storm last July, which provide air conditioning to our schools, condenser coils need to be replaced and/or combed out. The District has received assessments of, and quotes for, damage to the rooftop units at multiple buildings. Board members voted to approve projects quoted by Goyette Mechanical and approved by the District's insurance carrier, SET SEG, for the following buildings and amounts:

• Alternative Education High School - $54,511
• Thomson Elementary - $10,972
• Hill Elementary - $16,921
• Central Elementary - $92,843
• Thomson Elementary - $29,554

Board members approved the District participating in the Educational Assistance Plan to provide eligible employees with educational assistance benefits under Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code in accordance with specific program/grant requirements, including any current applicable collective bargaining agreement(s). The plan benefits employees pursuing further education related to their current job or career, or in the case of educational assistance provided through grant-funds and grant loan repayment programs.

The educational assistance plan covers qualified educational expenditures as permitted by the contract or specific program guidelines, such as registration, tuition, fees and books. The plan also allows the District to participate in a public service loan forgiveness program grant offered through the Michigan Department of Education, by allowing qualified applicants to receive reimbursement for student loan payments.

Marketing Instructor and DECA Advisor Matt Ames requested the Board’s approval for two students to attend the International DECA Conference in Anaheim, California from April 26 to May 1, 2024.

Davison High School students Ava Bernard and Jasmine Locklear, who are eligible to attend this

competition, qualified at the March 14-16th State DECA Conference to be a part of the

Michigan delegation at the International DECA Conference.

Marketing/business teacher Erin Woodruff will be the primary adult sponsor for this field trip, along with additional chaperones as needed.

The following donations were gratefully acknowledged:

• Meijer of Davison donated 3,000 shopping bags to Gates Elementary for student use at their book fair.
• The Richfield Reaching Methodist Church donated lunchboxes and backpacks to Siple Elementary to be given to students as needed.
• The Davison Education Association (DEA) made a monetary donation to Thomson Elementary to purchase books for new students during Kindergarten Roundup.
• The Davison Educational Foundation (DEF) donated $3,658 to purchase certified solar eclipse glasses in order for all students and staff to safely view the April 8, 2024 eclipse.