Photo courtesy of Caroline Obert.
Chelsea Middle School Principal Caroline Obert with Chelsea City Councilor Chris Grace and Mayor Tony Picklesimer after receiving a $25,000 check from the city.
All five of the Chelsea schools started the first semester off with a check from the city, as Mayor Tony Picklesimer hand delivered checks to the principals at each school.
In the past, schools received $5,000 at the beginning of the year and $20,000 at the end of the year, but this year, the mayor and Chelsea City Council decided to give the lump sum all at once.
The check distribution has been taking place for over a decade, but with the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, the change was made to give all the funds at the beginning of the school year.
The money is set aside from the city’s general fund budget and does not come from the Nick Grant funds that were established last year with the 1-cent sales tax increase.
Picklesimer said it is a privilege to be able to distribute the funds to each of the schools: Forest Oaks Elementary, Mt Laurel Elementary, Chelsea Park Elementary, Chelsea Middle School and Chelsea High School.
“It’s always a pleasure going into the schools and the appreciation we get from teachers and administrators,” Picklesimer said.
Chelsea Park Elementary Principal Jennifer Galloway said the faculty and staff at Chelsea Park Elementary School are appreciative of the continuous support provided by the mayor and city.
“These funds help to pay for additional staffing at our school such as our local secretary and our technology teacher,” Galloway said. “Each classroom teacher also receives an amount that is used to purchase instructional materials to help support their teaching.”
Chelsea High Principal Brandon Turner said they are still looking at ways to spend the funds, because they try to be intentional and use them for maximum effect.
“I feel very privileged to work with a mayor and City Council that are dedicated to working with schools to provide a better experience for our students,” Turner said. “They continually exhibit a spirit of cooperation in their willingness to invest in our programs and needs. We are excited about our partnership that will unquestionably pay dividends for the city of Chelsea.”
