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Ypsilanti Schools accept transportation consolidation
By Adrienne Ziegler
Jun. 8, 2010   ·   3:07 p.m.

Connie Shelton, an East Middle School Teacher, speaks against the WISD transportation consolidation plan at Monday's special meeting of the Ypsilanti Board of Education. The board approved the motion to join the consolidation by a vote of 5 to 2.

"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
By Adrienne Ziegler
Jun. 5, 2010   ·   8:16 a.m.

The Willow Run School Board looks on as Kristine Thomas, a district parent and previous board member, is sworn in as trustee on Thursday night. Thomas will take the position of Joi Jenson who resigned in early May.

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
By Adrienne Ziegler
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
By Mark Tower
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
By Adrienne Ziegler
May. 26, 2010   ·   12:26 a.m.

Willow Run School Board President Sheri Washington said she didn't know if the district was going to press charges against former Student Services Administrator Laconda Hicks after the board fired Hicks during a special meeting Tuesday night.

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

Ypsi school board schedules site visits

Dr. Theresa Saunders of the East St. Louis School District No. 189 and Richard Weigel of Ypsilanti Public Schools were chosen as the two finalists for YPS superintendent, last week. Photo by James Cavanaugh

Dr. Theresa Saunders of the East St. Louis School District No. 189 and Richard Weigel of Ypsilanti Public Schools were chosen as the two finalists for YPS superintendent, last week.
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Saunders, Weigel chosen as finalists

By James Cavanaugh
Apr. 28, 2009    ·    7:13 a.m.


The Ypsilanti School Board scheduled superintendent candidate visits Monday night, which will bring board members to East St. Louis, but will also keep them close to home.

Dr. Theresa Saunders, of the East St. Louis School District No. 189, and Richard Weigel, of Ypsilanti Public Schools, were chosen as the two finalists for YPS superintendent last week. Board Vice President Linda Horne and Trustees Andrew Fanta, Kira Berman and Edward Jackson will travel with two parents and members of the three unions at YPS to East St. Louis Thursday to conduct a site visit for Saunders.

Saunders will return to Ypsilanti on May 7 to meet with the board once more.

The board will conduct a local site visit for Weigel on either the May 11 or May 14. He is tentatively scheduled to meet again with the board on May 18.

With second interviews and site visits coming in the following weeks, the initial search schedule has been modified. The board originally planned on offering a contract to a new superintendent on April 27. According to YPS Board President David Bates, the board still plans to have a new superintendent in place by July 1, despite the schedule change.

Bates appreciated the extensive experience both Weigel and Saunders have attained during their years in education.

“Each of them have shown a history of very strong leadership in their respective districts,” Bates said.

Not all those in attendance were pleased with the decision to only interview Saunders and Weigel. Several community members came out in favor of Dr. Benjamin Edmondson, principal at Scarlett Middle School in Ann Arbor. He interviewed with the board last Wednesday.

Telisia Gibson, who has worked with Edmondson in the past, told board members she was “very upset, confused and frustrated” that he was not brought back for a site visit.

“I just feel that with his education, and with his experience…he could do wonders for our kids,” Gibson said.

Debbie Harris echoed some of Gibson’s statements and told the board they should search for someone who would involve and embrace the community.

Weigel also had some supporters in the audience Monday night.

Principal C. Sharine Buddin, of the Perry Child Development Center, said Weigel’s passion was curriculum and he’d elevated that passion to a higher level.

“As an administrator he is continuously challenging my thinking,” Buddin said, adding, “I’ve never met anyone with more commitment to do what’s best for our children.”

Kevin Carney, principal at Erickson Elementary School, told the board Weigel has asked administrators to make “data-driven” decisions, adding he would not need on-the-job training.

“Richard Weigel lives and breathes Ypsilanti public school pride,” Carney said.

The incoming candidate will replace Dr. James Hawkins, who has served as superintendent since 2005.

Related Stories

YPS finishes superintendent interviews

Ypsi Schools' superintendent interviews begin

Ypsilanti superintendent interviews continue



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