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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

CHELSEA – The Chelsea City Council took the time to award numerous educational grants to teachers at four local schools during a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Amongst the four schools that were awarded grants, 31 teachers and staff members got a portion of them, totaling to $100,592.25 that will go towards various causes to support their educational objectives.

In October 2019, the city approved a 1-cent sales tax increase, which was carried out in order to help generate funds for projects at the city’s schools. The city of Chelsea threw together a grant program as well in order to help support area teachers at different times throughout the year.

“The 1-cent sales tax that we voted for in October of 2019 has proven to be just a huge benefit to our four schools,” Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer said. “Congratulations to all the teachers that applied for the grants and the ones that their grants got approved… It’s a great program that pays huge benefits for our schools.”

The following is a breakdown of the teachers and staff members who received educational grants from the city of Chelsea:

Forest Oaks Elementary School, $25,367.69 awarded

• Caroline Cole, kindergarten, one-year Mystery Science subscription, iPads, cases, charging cart and Mosyle Manager subscription
• Ken Prady, school resource officer, door locks
• Denise Scroggins, first grade, “Hello Decodables” complete nonfiction books
• Stevi Sims, principal, SmartBoard
• Leslie Sulenski, first grade, counting collection manipulatives
• Leigh Sullivan, learning resource teacher, Teach Town K-5 complete classroom kit

Chelsea Park Elementary School, $25,194.09 awarded

• Amanda Campbell, kindergarten, SmartBoard and mount
• Haley Capps, second grade, computer, monitor and HoverCam
• Sarah Cooley, kindergarten, SmartBoard, mount subscription and computer connectivity 
• Karen Epperson, second grade, Mystery Science computer program
• Rachel Messer, special education, document camera
• Julie Middleton, paraprofessional, MakerBot Sketch Classroom 3D Printing
• Lydia Riggins, fourth grade, outdoor classroom supplies
• Austin Self, fine arts, art supplies
• Ashlea Staples, kindergarten, SmartBoard, mount subscription and computer connectivity
• Paula Tolbert, gifted education, printer, drone equipment, iPad/keyboard with pen and culinary supplies

Chelsea Middle School, $29,760.19 awarded

• Allafi Bashier, science teacher, science supplies
• Brittany Bisch, math teacher, IXL subscription/license for ELA, math and special education
• Cynthia Cruce, principal, science supplies and math manipulatives
• Heather English, business teacher, RODECaster Duo, VXLR+ and audio cords
• Georgina Garcia, science teacher, iPad and cover
• Denise Gonzales, science teacher, science supplies
• Ray Haley, science teacher, science supplies for labs on electricity and magnetism
• Forrest Lovett, social studies teacher, science supplies
• Michelle Niven, Spanish teacher, fine tip EXPO dry erase markers and pencils
• Kristen Stallings, family and consumer sciences teacher, A3 Plus DTF printer and Vevor heat press
• Allyson Welborn, CIT teacher, VEX CTE workcell

Chelsea High School, $20,270.28 awarded

• Asenath Arnold and Christine Sexton, special education teachers, refrigerator
• Allison Gooch, CIT teacher, three-year license for an online class resource for personal finance
• Suzanne Milligan, fine arts, acrylic art supplies
• Jennifer Supri, English teacher, IXL subscription/license for ELA

In other news, the meeting began with a series of promotions from Chelsea Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Joe Lee, promoting four members of the city’s various stations to new positions as a result of their hard work and service. 

Hunter Knight was previously a lieutenant at Station 32 and is now a captain at Station 33 on A-shift. Stephen Leachman has been promoted from being a lieutenant at Station 31 to a captain of administration. Andrew Shears was a firefighter and paramedic at Station 31, and has now become a lieutenant at Station 31 on B-shift. Finally, Casey Smith was promoted from being a firefighter and medic at Station 31 to being a lieutenant assigned to Station 32 on A-shift.

In addition, the Chelsea City Council also held a public hearing for a proposed ordinance to approve a rezoning request submitted by G.S. Masters that would change the property located at 3199 Highway 39 from an agricultural-residential property to a single family estate district. 

After nobody chose to speak during the public hearing, the council voted to approve the request of the rezoning of the property, which consists of  14 acres.

The council also approved a resolution to acknowledge and accept the donation of property from Two Eighty Properties, LLC. The corporation donated lot 8A3 of Chelsea Crossroads Sector 2, which totals out to 1.043 acres. 

Finally, the council approved two ordinances that declared two separate instances of property surplus, and authorized their transfers and conveyances.