Macomb Township

Chippewa schools honors its board

By Robert Guttersohn
C & G Staff Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Robert Guttersohn Chippewa Valley Schools Board of Education member Andrew Patzert poses next to a student’s interpretation of his mug shot at the Jan. 14 Board of Education meeting. The piece of art was one of many hung in the board meeting room for School Board Appreciation Month. Photo by Robert Guttersohn Chippewa Valley Schools Board of Education member Andrew Patzert poses next to a student’s interpretation of his mug shot at the Jan. 14 Board of Education meeting. The piece of art was one of many hung in the board meeting room for School Board Appreciation Month.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — For School Board Appreciation Month, the students, teachers and administrators of Chippewa Valley Schools honored its own Board of Education during the board’s Jan. 14 meeting.

Students from each school adorned the normally drab meeting room with colorful posters that thanked the board for its work. “I apologize in advance for looking distracted, but I can’t take my eyes off of this artwork,” said board member Beth Pyden of the posters.

Board Vice President Denise Aquino said, because of the effort students put in to them, the posters mean more than the gift bags they receive every year. “I don’t think any of us do this for any other reason but our passion, but seeing (the posters) means a lot to us,” Aquino said.

Superintendent Ronald Roberts thanked the board and gave each board member a certificate of appreciation. “I don’t think the public realizes the commitment you make for no other reason but for your need to provide community service,” Roberts said. “This certainly isn’t about income or anything. It’s about serving your community, and you do it very well.”

Roberts said serving on a board of education is one of the toughest elected positions, but individual board members called it a tremendous privilege.

“It’s a job that has many returns,” board member Frank Bednard said.

Board President George Sobah said the atmosphere at CVS makes the job as a board member much easier.

“I know we all have to make some difficult decisions, but it’s nice when we have such a great group of employees here and everyone stands together and gets everything done,” Sobah said.

Roberts concluded the brief ceremony by adding that the CVS board sets the tone for the entire district.

“They are key, especially in the times we’re going through right now and the challenges we face,” Roberts said. “It’s so important that we have a Board of Education that doesn’t react emotionally, but a Board of Education that stands up for public education.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Robert Guttersohn at rguttersohn@candgnews.com or at (586)218-5006.