Cheboygan Area Schools – Sunday Soup Newsletter - Week of May 26, 2026
Happy Memorial Day!
I hope everyone had a wonderful day off today and had an opportunity to enjoy the holiday. Memorial Day is a time for our nation to pause and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Originally known as Decoration Day following the Civil War, the holiday was created as a way to remember fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers and flags. Today, Memorial Day continues to serve as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those who never returned home.
While many people gather with family and friends over the long weekend, the true meaning of Memorial Day is rooted in remembrance, gratitude, and respect. It is an opportunity to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and the tremendous cost at which they came. Communities across the country honor the day through ceremonies, parades, cemetery visits, and moments of silence to recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
As we enjoy time with loved ones this weekend, may we also take a moment to remember and thank the heroes and families whose sacrifices have shaped and protected our nation. Their courage and service should never be forgotten.
Juniors…It’s your TIME now!
Last week was very busy for seniors, culminating in a graduation for Inverness Academy last Thursday and the high school on Friday. At the end of both ceremonies, it appears that Cheboygan Area Schools handed out 152 diplomas to very deserving students. Wish our seniors well, but as of tomorrow, when we return to school, it will be odd no longer having the senior class of 2026 walking the hallways.
Tomorrow, the juniors are positioned to begin their senior experience. We hope your senior year is as wonderful as the last. It all begins tomorrow. It’s your time…make it the very best experience that you can.
It is official, Judge Daryl Vizina will be the new Head Boys Basketball Coach!
Cheboygan Area Schools is excited to announce the selection of Daryl P. Vizina as the next Head Boys Basketball Coach. Coach Vizina recently served as the Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Inland Lakes High School, where he has built one of the top basketball programs in Northern Michigan over the past six seasons.
During his tenure at Inland Lakes, Coach Vizina compiled an outstanding 102-38 varsity record, won four consecutive district championships, a conference championship, and led the program to the first regional championship in school history.
In addition to his success on the court, he has developed a complete basketball program focused on player development, offseason training, leadership, accountability, and long-term program culture from youth basketball through the varsity level.
Coach Vizina also brings extensive professional leadership experience to the position. He currently serves as the Cheboygan County Probate and Family Court Judge and previously served nearly a decade as the elected Cheboygan County Prosecuting Attorney. His leadership background, communication skills, professionalism, and commitment to young people made him stand out throughout the interview process.
Cheboygan Area Schools believes Coach Vizina is the right leader to continue building a strong, disciplined, and competitive basketball culture for our student-athletes. We are excited about the future of Cheboygan Boys Basketball under his leadership and look forward to officially welcoming him to the Chiefs family.
House Bill 5797 continues to advance.
Michigan House Bill 5797 is a Michigan education bill focused on giving school districts more flexibility regarding required instructional days when severe winter weather forces excessive school cancellations.
Specifically, the bill would revise Michigan’s school aid law so districts are not penalized for falling below the minimum number of instructional days due to inclement weather. This became a major issue during the harsh 2025–2026 winter, especially in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, where many districts exhausted their allowable snow days early in the year.
The latest news is significant:
• The bill was introduced on April 15, 2026.
• It passed the Michigan House on May 14 by a 99–5 vote.
• It passed the Michigan Senate on May 20 by a 33–2 vote.
• As of May 21, the bill had been presented to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for consideration.
The bill has received strong bipartisan support, particularly from Northern Michigan school leaders and legislators who argued districts should not lose funding because of extraordinary weather conditions. Cheboygan Area Schools’ update on HB 5797 described testimony from superintendents supporting the legislation and noted unanimous committee support before House passage.
Once the Governor signs the bill, the BOE will consider the impact, if any, on the last day of school for CAS, which is currently set for June 12. The BOE added five days to the calendar last month, even though at the time, we owed eight total days. However, the BOE understood that Lansing was considering giving some grace to schools due to the harsh winter, but it was unclear how much. The Board will be discussing this issue at great length this week, and as more concrete information continues to be released from Lansing, the BOE will be able to make sound decisions instead of purely speculating.
Finishing Up May @ the District Office…
• May 25 – Memorial Day – No School
• May 26 – MOCI Graduation @ 1:00 p.m.
• May 27 – SL Weekly Zoom Meeting @ 11:00 a.m.
• May 28 – Negotiations Meeting with Union @ 3:30 in BR
• June 12 – Adjusted Last Day of School
Quote of the Week…
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.” – General George S. Patton.
George S. Patton was one of the most well-known and successful American generals of World War II. He became famous for his bold leadership, aggressive military strategy, and ability to lead fast-moving tank divisions across Europe. As commander of the U.S. Third Army, Patton played a major role in the Allied advance following the D-Day invasion and helped liberate much of France during the war.
Patton is perhaps best remembered for his leadership during the Battle of the Bulge, when he quickly redirected his forces through severe winter conditions to rescue surrounded American troops in Bastogne. His rapid response and determination became one of the defining moments of the war. Known for his powerful speeches, strict discipline, and strong personality, Patton inspired many soldiers and remains one of the most studied military leaders in American history.
Spencer S. Byrd, EdS, CSBO, CAA, CO
Superintendent
Cheboygan Area Schools