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 James Cavanaugh
The Ypsilanti School Board voted 7-0 Monday night to allow the district to look into the possibility of sharing services with the Willow Run School District. Board said shared services could start next year.
District considers partnering with Willow Run
Mar. 24, 2009 · 12:08 a.m.
The Ypsilanti School Board voted 7-0 Monday night to allow the district to look into the possibility of sharing services with the Willow Run School District.
According to a report issued by YPS, Michigan school districts have been encouraged by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to engage in shared services, as a means of reducing costs.
“This is a conversation really initiated by the governor,” Superintendent James Hawkins said.
Hawkins added, the Washtenaw Intermediate School District had been in discussions with all 10 county school districts regarding shared services. The talks between Ypsilanti and Willow Run partially initiated out of that.
Board President David Bates and Vice President Laura Horne have already spoken with board officials from Willow Run, and according to Bates, discussions have gone well. Hawkins and Bates both said the Lincoln Consolidated District also participated in initial talks, but has since dropped out.
Although there have already been meetings between district officials, Hawkins said he expects talks to continue in the immediate future.
“We’re contemplating looking to do something for the 2009-2010 school year,” Hawkins said. “There’s a sense of urgency.”
Last week, the Willow Run Board of Education voted to explore the possibility of sharing services with neighboring public school districts. Willow Run faces a $2.7 million deficit and if it does not reach fiscal stability, the state could take over administration of the district.
“I think the Willow Run Board of Education is interested in making the most of their money,” Bates said.
He added, discussions regarding services are in an early phase, and he’s not sure how they’ll work out.
“We’re going into this eyes open,” Bates said. “There aren’t any preconceived ideas about how this is going to work.”
Hawkins said teachers might even be shared between districts, pointing out some districts might only have a need for a French teacher for two or three class periods. That district could share a teacher with another district.
Related stories:
Willow Run to explore sharing services to cut costs
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