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VOL. 142, NO. 7

DEXTER LEADER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012
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Fireghters concerned about re consolidation

By Christy Vander Haagen
Special Writer

The Dexter Firefighters Association spoke to the Dexter Village Council Feb. 13 about a number of concerns regarding the consolidation of the Dexter Area Fire Department and the Scio Township Fire Department. Dexter Firefighter Jason Photo by Christy Vander Haagen Hilberer, a representative of the Dexter Firefighters Fireghter Jason Hilberer of the Dexter Area Fire Department addresses Council Monday night about the Association, told Council planned merger with the Scio Township Fire Department. he was concerned about

how leaders within the newly merged department will go about assimilating firefighters from two different departments into one cohesive and productive team. I think the merger committee might be setting the new department up for failure if they dont accommodate the 45 different personalities, Hilberer said. Hilberer cited the need to ensure a smooth transition of firefighters from each department into their

roles in the new department. He suggested there may be personality clashes that should be addressed prior to the merge and that perhaps an outside consulting firm should be hired to handle the transition. Council President Shawn Keough said the next step is to hire a new fire chief, suggesting that he or she would be better suited to handle the personality issue.
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Public hearing set for bullying policy

By Sean Dalton
Heritage Media

Dexter Community School district officials are set to hold a public hearing Feb. 21 to address changes in Michigan law regarding bullying policies. Governor Rick Snyder signed into law Public Act 241 of 2011, which came out of the state House of Representatives last year. Matts Law, named in honor of Kevin Eplings son, who committed suicide after being pushed to the edge by habitual torment visited by schoolmates on a regular basis, mirrors much of the what the districts existing policy 5517.01. The new legislation is not very different from what we have, Superintendent Mary Marshall said Monday evening after announcing the public hearing. Additions required by the law, which district officials will discuss, added as amendments to the existing policy include: -A provision indicating that all students are protected and that bullying is equally prohibited without regard to its subject matter (the revision will improve language in the existing policy). -The identification, by

job title, of school officials responsible for ensuring that the policy is implemented (the existing policy indicates names of who to report to, but doesnt ensure implementation). -A procedure for parental notification. -A procedure for each public school to document incidents presented to the school board annually. Other points that Dexters policy is progressive on include a statement prohibiting bullying, another prohibiting retaliation, a statement describing how the policy will be publicized, and a procedure for immediate investigation into complaints. The updated areas of this policy will continue bringing the conversation regarding bullying to the forefront and will also provide some common definitions for parents, students, and staff to reference when those difficult situations arise, Marshall said. The public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 21 and will be held at Creekside Intermediate Schools Media Center. The draft policy will be published on the districts website by 5 p.m. Feb. 14. To view that policy visit the districts website at http:// dexterschools.org/.

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Aileen Kernoha named Nurse of the Year

By Christy Vander Haagen
Special Writer

fter serving Dexter Community Schools for about 18 years, nurse Aileen Kernohan has been named named this years School Nurse of the Year by the Michigan Association of School Nurses. I love working with the kids in this

district, she said. Kernohan was nominated for the honor by a colleague in the Pontiac area. It is both an honor and a privilege to be recognized by my peer group and professional organization, Kernohan said of the award. According to the MASN, evidence of
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Aubrees to hold fundraiser for Dexter Arts Center

By Ashely Woodrum
Special Writer

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When the Dexter Arts Center began offering low-key, fun arts and crafts courses to the public last year, organizers were faced with finding more instructors to meet demand. A little over a year later, and now the arts centers fortunes have reversed and its everything the volunteers can do to keep the doors open with class enrollment at all-time lows.

The arts centers volunteers have teamed up with Aubrees Pizzeria and Grill in a stopgap effort to keep the center funded while 501c3 status is considered by the state of Michigan. Were hoping to hear from them soon so we can start applying for grants to help keep the doors open, President Pam OHara said. The Dexter Arts Center is currently conforming to the statutory requirements of a full nonprofit as per state law while volunteers

wait to hear from the IRS about the status of their non-profit status application. Attaining that designation will allow arts center volunteers to apply for state and federal grants, in addition to sparring donations from the community and other private sources from being assessed during tax collection. The arts center board sent in their application last June, but OHara says that her calls to the IRS

have informed the group that there is a backlog of organizations seeking nonprofit status in light of the lagging economy and due to recent increases in arts funding. In the meantime, OHara will be pursuing more partnerships such as the one between her organization and Aubrees to keep the arts center afloat until the more active spring and summer schedule. The Dine to Donate is being held on two nights,

OHara said. It will be a wonderful night out and a great way to help the Arts Center out. The Dexter Arts Center offers a wide range of classes for people of all ages, which DAC President Pam OHara and Artistica Gallery owner Marles Wandres worked to expand over the past 12 months, and they would like to keep it that way. Classes for the childrens
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