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Novi board approves multiple hires, accepts $19,500 from Novi Educational Foundation and clears consent agenda
Summary
The board adopted personnel reports A and B, approving several new hires and one retirement, accepted $19,500 in donations from the Novi Educational Foundation for grants, transportation and mural work, and approved the consent agenda including minutes, bills and two field trips.
The Novi Board of Education on Sept. 18 approved personnel recommendations, accepted a $19,500 donation from the Novi Educational Foundation (NEF) and approved routine consent items.
Personnel actions
Doctor Carino presented personnel report A, recommending multiple new hires and noting several departures and one retirement. The board approved personnel report A by motion; the motion was offered by Mr. Cook and supported by a colleague and the board announced the motion carried. Items noted by the administration included:
- Hires recommended in personnel report A: Emma Dalzocchio (recommended for middle‑school social studies teacher), Shelby Welsh (recommended 1st‑grade teacher, Deerfield Elementary), McKenna Cory (recommended preschool teacher), Archana Vivek Nagle (recommended special education resource room paraprofessional, high school), Vanitha Ramesh (recommended special education self‑contained paraprofessional, high school). - Departures reported: Marsha George (Novi Woods and Deerfield special education resource room teacher), Corey Knuckles (middle‑school social studies teacher), Katarina Rausch Peninen (high‑school social studies), Thomas Richardson (bus driver) and Kevin Lane (adult education success coach) resigned; Dylan Luch Omo (paraprofessional) was discharged; Tamara Quinn (transportation assistant) announced retirement.
Doctor Carino also presented personnel report B, recommending Dr. Marcy Augenstein for the position of director of secondary education; the board approved that report by motion.
New staff remarks
Two newly recommended paraprofessionals were introduced to the board. Archana Vivek Nagle introduced herself and said she previously taught physics in India and was “excited to work over here.” Dr. Marcy Augenstein also addressed the board after her approval, saying she was “thrilled to have the opportunity to work with” district staff and families.
Novi Educational Foundation donation
Melanie Scott Dorsey, president of the Novi Educational Foundation, outlined recent NEF activity and asked the board to accept donations totaling $19,500. NEF reported a pancake breakfast with more than 260 attendees that raised $7,800, plans for Baseline Blitz and a Tailgate on Oct. 17, and active grantmaking. The donation accepted by the board was described in the motion as: $8,000 for fellowship grants; $5,000 for transportation to Lansing for fourth graders; $2,000 for transportation for career preparation; and $4,500 for mural walls at Novi Middle School (total $19,500). The motion to accept the donation was moved by Mr. Michener, supported by Mr. Mena, and the board announced the motion carried.
Consent agenda and other approvals
The board approved the consent agenda, which the administration said included minutes from prior meetings, bills and check registers for July 2025, two field trips (girls varsity field hockey and fifth‑grade camp) and the emergency virtual day plan.
Context and next steps
Administrators said the hires are expected to fill classroom and support roles this fall. The NEF said grant applications for teacher innovation are under way and listed upcoming community events (Baseline Blitz this fall; Go for the Green on March 7). No funding or policy changes were enacted beyond the personnel approvals and donation acceptance. Trustees thanked NEF and welcomed the new staff.
