Principal Krista Johnson of Webster Kindergarten Center, 1213 N. 19th St., and the center’s art teacher, Beth Peterson, presented the center’s art program to the board.

Campuses or departments within the district each create presentations each month that showcase something significant to the board and community.

Peterson led five students described as “Little ‘Mo leaders” from Lilly Wiljanen’s class to paint alongside the board members. Students who participated Monday included Jaxon Bourdeau, Grace Pearson, Tenley Coolman, Trace Forvilly, Jaxon Bourdeau and Daxton Allison.

“For art, we often highlight the amazing fine arts department at the secondary level, but we’d be remiss not to acknowledge the awesome elementary art program that we have as well. Art is an enhancement to our elementary programming. Specifically, kindergarten and ‘begindergarten’ art classes develop fine motor skills through activities like drawing, cutting, gluing and painting,” Johnson told the board. 

Principal Krista Johnson of Webster Kindergarten Center and the center’s art teacher, Beth Peterson, presented their students art skills to the Escanaba School Board on Monday. From front left are Krista Johnson, Grace Pearson, Beth Peterson, Trace Forvilly, Sage Dubord, Jaxon Bourdeau, Coby Fletcher, Steve Howes, Kevin Pascoe, Jim Beauchamp, Daxton Allison and Dan Flynn. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)

The skills students learn in their art program are extremely significant in various stages of development, such as when they’re learning to read and write.  

“This is critical for finger strength and, in turn, letter formation and eventual word and sentence writing. It also inspires creativity, imagination and is an outlet for self-expression. Additionally, working on art projects builds stamina for sitting for longer periods of time, improves focus and patience, and refines listening skills as well as following multi-step directions.” 

Johnson also highlighted a book donation for neurodivergent learners and their families, a professional development book study, “Help for Billy” that discusses students with trauma, and the center’s book-vending machine. 

The center received a book vending machine in early spring, and students have enthusiastically worked to earn books. Students can earn coins to enter into the machine, during which they would choose a book that they can then take and keep at home, Johnson said. One way students can earn a coin is by showcasing leadership skills. 

In other business Monday, the council: 

— Approved a resolution to become part of the PowerSchool litigation, a lawsuit spearheaded by Frantz Law Group from California with state-level coordination provided by the district’s attorneys at Thrun Law Firm. Many districts are enter the suit, which contends PowerSchool breached its contractual obligations to keep data secure, as well as other claims. PowerSchool, a worldwide online system that manages student data, was hacked in September 2024 by Matthew D. Lane, who also demanded a ransom from the company in December 2024. Districts were not notified of the attack until January 2025. Lane pleaded guilty to federal charges in July and was sentenced earlier this month to four years in prison. 

— Approved a student trip to Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark in June 2027. Lauren Bishop, 11th and 12th grade English teacher, told the council the trip will be open to AP Language and AP Literature students in grades 11-12 during the 2026-27 school year. Bishop and her students will have various fundraisers leading up to the trip. 

— Viewed the 2024-25 financial audit presentation virtually presented by Kim Lindsay, CPA, CGMA, a principal in public sector assurance and financial reporting at Rehmann out of Grand Rapids.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.