Battle Creek Public Schools honors staff with 'Whatever It Takes' awards and launches President's Coin; Angie Kellogg school highlights literacy gains

The Battle Creek Public Schools Board of Education recognized district staff for outstanding service at its April 28 meeting, presenting Whatever It Takes awards to four employees and introducing a new President’s Coin tradition.

The board honored Jay Henry for his work supporting technology and teacher training; Svenja Chapman for improvements to grant budgeting and financial systems; Lena Oliver, Dean of IB Instruction at Fremont International Academy, for instructional leadership; and Jody Ellenwood of Verona Elementary for classroom leadership and multiple school roles. The board also presented the inaugural President’s Coin to Carmen Meinhardi Dale in recognition of long service and advocacy.

Why it matters: these recognitions spotlight district staff whose work affects classroom instruction, grant management and operational supports. The President’s Coin is being established as a recurring monthly honor from the board president to a district employee.

Dr. Carter and other board members described Henry’s contributions to district technology integration and teacher training and praised Chapman for streamlining grant budgeting and cash management. The board noted Oliver’s role in implementing IB-aligned instruction and Ellenwood’s leadership roles at Verona Elementary, including mentoring and instructional-lead-team responsibilities; Ellenwood’s classroom was cited for strong ELA performance.

The board then heard a school spotlight from Ms. Bentley about Angie Kellogg (referred to as AMJ in the presentation). Bentley said the school serves approximately 233 students in grades 3–5 and emphasized a sustained focus on literacy. She told the board the school reduced chronic absenteeism from about 57% last year to roughly 20% this year and described weekly data-driven professional learning communities, use of Title I funds for student incentives (including a book vending machine), and an expanded tutoring and volunteer program. Bentley also described partnerships with community organizations that provide food, mentoring and supplemental support.

Board members congratulated the recipients and praised the school’s attendance and literacy work. During the Angie Kellogg presentation trustees asked for clarification on data points and Ms. Bentley explained that different charts referenced STAR reading, math indicators and other formative measures; she said staff are preparing students for state testing and continue to develop test-taking familiarity where needed.

The board acknowledged concern that a P2P (person-to-person/partner) worker who supports attendance and family services has funding at risk for next year. Trustees asked staff to monitor and report on implications for student supports if funding changes occur.

The board closed the recognitions portion and moved on to later agenda items.