Chelsea Superintendent Eager for Start of School Year

Chelsea Community Schools has a new smiling face occupying the district's top office, and with school starting today, Superintendent Andrew Ingall says he is eager to lead the district in a positive direction.

Ingall officially took over the superintendent's chair on July 1, following the retirement of David Killips on June 30.

"There was a good healthy transition between David (Killips) and myself. I feel confident that I can pick up right where David left off in terms of his leadership of the Chelsea School District," Ingall said.

The longtime resident of Chelsea has spent much of his career in the education field, most recently serving as executive director of instruction from 2007-2012, as well as principal at Beach Middle School from 2002-2007.

As he transitions into the role of the district's chief administrator, the father of two said his experience both inside and outside the classroom has prepared him to tackle such complicated issues as school budgets, open communication with the public, and closing the student achievement gap.

"Student achievement is a big issue for me," he said. "I don't know if school districts will ever be completely where we as teachers and administrators think they should be."

Ingall said one of his top priorities for the new year will be addressing the district's failure to meet the state's Adequete Yearly Progress measurement in 2011.

Beach Middle School, North Creek Elementary and South Meadows Elementary were all named "Focus Schools," a new designation given by the Michigan Department of Education to schools that show the largest achievement gap between the top 30 percent and bottom 30 percent of students. The achievement percentage is largely based on students’ scores on the Michigan Merit Exam and Michigan Educational Assessment Program.

"To appear on the list really does tell a tale," he said. "All of the kids are not achieving at the same level. We've got to figure out how to close the gap. We will be examining strategies during the first few weeks of school to see how we can move the needle in a positive direction."

Ingall said the district already has a "response to invervention" plan that addresses the achievement gap, however he said it's still unclear how the state will remove schools from the "focus" category.

"At what point is it good enough?" he said. "Our high school has a 95 percent graduation rate and was named one of the top high school's in the country by Newsweek magazine. That doesn't mean we're in denial, but there are other indicators that Chelsea School District is moving in a positive direction."

Ingall said other concerns this year include operating under a $300,000 deficit budget and declining student enrollment, a problem he hopes can be remedied in part by the district's decision to athletic fees.

A new year, a new leader

Ingall said he spent most of the summer meeting members of the community, the administration, the teaching staff and students in preparation for the new year.

"The new year is like the start of a new baseball season. The hope is fresh, and the relationships with friends and teachers are renewed," he said. "I find some faults with having the long summers off, but then it gives students a chance to embrace their classes with a renewed sense of vigor."

Still Ingall admits that he misses the interaction with students in their day-to-day lives.

"Having that daily contact with students in the classroom is rewarding," he said. "As superintendent, no two days are the same, but sometimes you lose those personal connections. Instead of directly working with the kids, you have to support those who have a tremendous impact on their lives. We have great educators who care about the kids in Chelsea."

To contact Ingall, email aingall@chelsea.k12.mi.us.

Other new faces in the district this year include: