Ypsilanti Schools accept transportation consolidation
Jun. 8, 2010 · 3:07 p.m.
"Shame on you" echoed through the audience Monday night after the Ypsilanti Public Schools Board of Education approved a plan to join a countywide consolidated...read more
Willow Run appoints new board member
Jun. 5, 2010 · 8:16 a.m.
The Willow Run School Board appointed a new, yet familiar trustee to the board of education during their regular meeting Thursday night.
Kristine Thomas, a Willow...read more
Willow Run approves county-wide transportation plan
May. 27, 2010 · 2:09 p.m.
The Willow Run School District signed on to a countywide consolidated transportation plan at their regular board meeting last week.
The plan aims to save transportation...read more
Lincoln offers summer courses to area high-schoolers
May. 26, 2010 · 7:49 p.m.
Students from Lincoln and other nearby districts are being invited to participate in Lincoln High School's Summer Academy this year, registration for which opened...read more
Willow Run terminates student services administrator
May. 26, 2010 · 12:26 a.m.
The Willow Run Board of Education unanimously voted to terminate its contract with former Student Services Administrator Laconda Hicks Tuesday night during a special...read more
Photo by Lincoln Consolidated
Lincoln hopes to save approximately $250,000 in operational costs by replacing the multiage program at the Bessie Hoffman site with a program that does not necessitate the busing of students. Bessie Hoffman, pictured here, is about 15 minutes from campus.
Board of Education to vote on recommendation next Monday
Jan. 26, 2010 · 4:08 p.m.
Lincoln’s Superintendent recommended the Board of Education move the district’s multiage program to Brick Elementary in effort to save the district money.
The program, offered to approximately 300 students at Lincoln Consolidated, is currently at Bessie Hoffman, a facility located about 15 minutes from the district’s main campus.
According to district officials, Lincoln stands to save $250,000 in operational costs by replacing the program at the Bessie Hoffman site with a program that does not necessitate the busing of students.
The multiage program operates out of 12 classrooms at Bessie Hoffman. Superintendent Lynn Cleary said space could be created at Brick Elementary by moving the fifth grade classes to the middle school and some first grade classes to Model Elementary School. District officials have had brief discussions as to how Bessie Hoffman could be utilized in the future, however, Cleary said "nothing is set in stone."
“That is as far as I will go with the program right now,” Cleary said of the multiage relocation. “What it looks like the year after will be determined by the staff.”
Board President Kimberly Samuelson said the decision to move the program is purely “financially driven.”
“The Board of Education recognizes the success of the multiage program and we recognize that there’s not a perfect answer but we do believe based on the data we received from administrators we will make the best decision for kids,” she said of the proposed move.
The Board of Education is expected to take action on the proposal at its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. next Monday.
About the multiage program
More than ten years ago, several Bessie Hoffman staff members collaborated in a three year training partnership, with the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, an Ypsilanti-based nonprofit dedicated to research, development, training and public outreach. The partnership lead to instruction through a model promoting team-teaching, block-scheduling, parental involvement and ongoing student assessment.
Bessie Hoffman Multiage Elementary School provides students with a “developmentally appropriate education” by focusing on each student's needs and abilities, rather than their chronological age.
The school is organized differently than the other four elementary schools within the district. Students are instructed by teams of teachers: Kindergarten – First grade (Lower House); Second – Third grade (Middle House); and Fourth – Fifth grade (Upper House). Teachers group students according to their assessed learning needs, and use flexible instructional groupings throughout the school year.
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