Our success depends on the support of our Board of Directors and education service provider.   At Chandler Park Academy, our vision is to develop a unique community of learners where students, parents, and community members tirelessly work together to enrich and expand students’ learning environment.   Our Board comprises members from a cross section of education, the automotive industry, banking and finance, clergy, the legal profession and the community.

Charles E. Arnold, Jr. - President (Member since 1997)
Mr. Arnold was employed by the Bank of the Commonwealth for 30 years.   He later joined National City Bank, where he retired as Group Vice President.

Reverend Dr. Anthony J. Shipley - Vice President and Founder (Member since 1997)
Dr. Shipley, founder of Chandler Park Academy, is the Senior Pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Detroit.

Scott E. Boswell - Secretary (Member since 2004)
Mr. Boswell is an investigator for the Michigan Department of Community Health. Prior to that, he worked as a parole officer and a youth treatment specialist.

Sheldon Johnson - Treasurer (Member since 1998)
Mr. Johnson is presently employed as a Technical Consultant for Forming Technologies Incorporated. Previously, he worked as a manufacturing engineer at DaimlerChrysler.

Marie Inniss - Member (since 1998)
Ms. Inniss served as Assistant Dean at Wayne State University Law School and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Dr. Phares A. Noel II - Member (since 2001)
Dr. Noel retired from the position of Senior Manager – Advance Manufacturing Engineering Division of the North American Business Group of DaimlerChrysler AG in charge of Core Assembly Process and Technology.

Barbara A. Wynder - Member (since 2009)
Ms. Wynder is deputy Court Administrator 50th District Court, Pontiac, Michigan.   Previously, she served as Assistant Corporation Counsel, City of Detroit.

After three years of serving as an Education Service Provider, all students enrolled in the Academy for three consecutive years will meet or exceed State academic performance standards.   Drs. Wilhelmina and Burnis Hall, founders of Varner and Associates, are committed to creating schools of excellence where everyone is teaching and everyone is learning.

Wilhelmina S. Hall, Ed.D, is the Chief Executive Officer of Varner and Associates International, LLC.  Previously, Dr. Hall served as the Interim Superintendent of the River Rouge School District.  Before that, she served as Program Supervisor, Comer Schools and Family Initiative, Detroit Public Schools.

Dr. Hall has more than 32 years’ experience serving as a teacher and elementary principal in Detroit Public Schools.  She provided leadership for the implementation of curriculum planning, instructional programs, human resources, strategic planning and all professional development training.

Burnis Hall, Ed.D, is the Chief Operating Officer of Varner and Associates International, LLC.  Prior to this position, he served as the Director of the Technical Support Consortium, Schools of the 21st Century, a five-year, $60 million research project designed to reform selected Detroit Public Schools.  He retired from Wayne State University College of Education in 2002 after 30 years as a Professor.  For nine years, Dr. Hall served as Assistant Dean of the largest graduate program in the College of Education, the Division of Administrative and Organizational Studies.

We’re Committed to Maintaining a Superior Teaching Staff.   A number of our teachers have been with the school since its founding, and teacher retention is at an all-time high.   All our teachers meet the definition of “highly qualified” under the Federal No Child Left Behind Act.   Chandler Park Academy’s commitment to teachers is as significant as its commitment to students.   Here are a few of the many ways we cultivate our superior staff with:

Continuing Education:	Chandler Park Academy offers teachers more than 100 hours of professional development each year, 69 hours more than the 31 hours required by the State of Michigan.   Our authorizing agent, Saginaw Valley State University, provides tuition discounts and on-site classes as well.   The Academy provides tuition reimbursement and actively encourages teachers to attend workshops, conferences and training opportunities throughout the year.
Targeted Staff Meetings:	We designate staff meetings throughout the school year as Professional Development Days.   Teachers also participate in professional development opportunities presented through the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency, Macomb Intermediate School District, St. Clair Intermediate School District and Saginaw Valley State University.
Accountability:	While teachers enjoy autonomy in the classrooms, they never lose sight of their responsibility for student achievement.   All lesson plans receive weekly review.   Through the Technical Academic Support Consultant (TASC) program, teachers receive ongoing observation and coaching.   Retired teachers and current staff members serve as mentors and peer coaches – all with an eye on improving instruction.  Thinking beyond the typical school model allows Chandler Park Academy to better engage staff, parents and the community.  All stakeholders understand the responsibility they have as supporters and role models for the students.
Motivation:	The entire staff takes pride when parents report that they base their decision to enroll their children in Chandler Park Academy upon strong academic programs, a clean and safe environment and a wide variety of extra-curricular activities that encourage social development, health and self-esteem.

Chandler Park Academy truly believes its strength resides in a committed staff, involved Board of Directors, supportive parents and community members – all of whom motivate students to become active learners.

Partnership between staff and parents is essential to student success.

Parents are welcomed and strongly encouraged to participate in classroom and extra curricular activities.

The school’s child-centered approach results in improved state and national test scores and gives the Academy another reason to celebrate success.

Our motto, “Catch Up, Keep Up and Surpass”, keeps us focused on our goal.  We are committed to making sure each child can read, write, evaluate and compute at grade level by the time he or she reaches 8th grade, ensuring a successful transition to high school, college and beyond.

1. Arranging student and parent visits to historically black colleges and universities as well as to regional universities and colleges.
2. Participating in a one-on-one mentoring and pen pal program with high school and college students to help our students understand the expectations and challenges that come with these academic advancements.
3. Supporting an active School Improvement Team that regularly meets to institute changes based on information it collects and analyzes.

Chandler Park Academy uses the Direct Instruction model, a fast-paced teaching technique based on constant interaction between teachers and students. As part of this 6-step method, teachers model desired behaviors, guide practice and create independent practice opportunities.

GENERAL APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION FOR ADOPTION BY THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION OF CHANDLER PARK ACADEMY

RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the general appropriations of Chandler Park Academy for the fiscal year 2009-2010; A resolution to make appropriations; to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations; and to provide for the disposition of all income received by Chandler Park Academy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the total revenues and unappropriated fund balance estimated to be available for appropriations in the general fund of the Chandler Park Academy for fiscal year 2009-2010 is as follows:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that $ 14,196,733 of the total available to appropriate in the general fund is hereby appropriated in the amounts and for the purposes set forth below:

FURTHER RESOLVED, that no board of education member or employee of the school district shall expend any funds or obligate the expenditure of any funds except pursuant to appropriations made by the board of education and in keeping with the budgetary policy statement hitherto adopted by the board.  Changes in the amount appropriated by the board shall require approval by the board.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Varner & Associates International, LLC. is hereby charged with general supervision of the execution of the budget adopted by the board and shall hold the department heads responsible for performance of their responsibilities within the amounts appropriated by the board of education and in keeping with the budgetary policy statement hitherto adopted by the board.

This appropriation is to take effect as of July 1, 2009.