Schools receive 1st checks from education tax

In December, four Chelsea schools received checks from the first round of requests from the Nick Grant program totaling over $106,000.

In the first month after the 1-cent sales tax increase went into effect, it generated $142,000 for the newly formed education fund.

“We’re going to bank some serious money in the next few years,” Chelsea mayor Tony Picklesimer said. “The tax is valid through 2025, then the next council can decide if they want to extend it. We want to try to put together a serious war chest be able to do more significant things in the future.”

Chelsea Middle School received $57,425.42 for 53 requests from educators. The largest request was $8,100 for Google Expedition geography software. Previously, all the schools had been sharing the same set, and this will allow Chelsea Middle to have their own. The most requested item by far was Chromebooks, along with a television, Smart Board, online math resources, printers and more.

Mt Laurel Elementary had 42 requests totaling $19,264.50. Educators there requested items for physical education, technology, STEM items supplies, Chromebooks and carts, flexible seating items, sensory room activity items and a keyboard for the music room.

MLES Principal Celita Deem said they are grateful and appreciative for the funds they received from the city.

“So far, we have been able to acquire funds for one to one Chromebooks in grades three through five and plan to use a portion of these funds to complete our goal that would include second grade Chromebooks,” she said. “Had we not received this funding, MLES would not have been able to provide these essential learning tools without seeking an alternate source.”

Chelsea High School received $15,050.00 for three request including Chromebooks for the Special Education Department, new art room tables and new equipment for the health room. Forest Oaks Elementary had 22 requests totaling $14,729.84 that included books, Chromebooks, flexible seating, Frontrow Juno Systems, iPads, LCD writing tablets, STEM accessories and more.

Chelsea Park Elementary’s only request was for hand-held radios for teachers who are in the trailers behind the school so they can have a way to communicate at all times.

Submission times are at the beginning of the school year (Aug. 1 through Sept. 15) and the beginning of the second semester (Dec. 1 through Jan. 15). The guidelines for the Nick Grants are for two grant requests per year, per teacher.

All grant requests are presented to the five person Grant Task Force — made up of two city employees, a school administrator, city councilperson and parent — for their review, and they have the authority to deny applications if funds are unavailable or they do not meet specific guidelines. Requests over $10,000 will be submitted to the council for final approval or denial.

The goal of the program is to fill the gaps of needed educational and instructional supplies and equipment that are not funded by the Shelby County Board of Education.

“The county pays for facilities, teacher salaries, administration costs and some supplies, but it's very limited. It really just covers the basics,” Picklesimer said. “What we'd like to see our kids have more than just the basics. Our goal is in five years for all of our students to have a Chromebook.”