Willow Run Community Schools

New unified school district superintendent in Ypsilanti speaks

Stateside Staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:44:35 +0000

The litany of school districts in serious money trouble is long and growing longer: Buena Vista, Benton Harbor, Detroit, Pontiac, Albion.

Now we hear that Hazel Park schools are broke, according to the Superintendent, who blames an "unexpected drop" in student enrollment.

Close to fifty public school districts across our state are facing deep deficits. Buena Vista actually closed down for two weeks while scrambling to find enough money to keep things running.

Other districts have implemented layoffs and program cuts.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. And some say Michigan has too many school districts, and that consolidating some of these districts is a prudent choice.

Last year, the state encouraged Ypsilanti and nearby Willow Run schools to consolidate.

After tough decisions regarding layoffs, staff restructuring and closing buildings, the consolidation will happen July 1.

Scott Menzel is the superintendent of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and, come July 1, he will be the superintendent of the new unified district: Ypsilanti Community Schools.

He joined us today in the studio.

Listen to the full interview above.

Additional Staff Cuts for Ypsilanti Schools

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:50:12 +0000

Ypsilanti’s Public Schools continue to battle red ink before consolidating with Willow Run Community Schools this summer.

Dedrick Martin is Superintendent of Ypsilanti schools and says his job may even go away as part of the consolidation process this summer.

Board being named for Ypsilanti-Willow Run schools

Kyle Norris — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 20:55:26 +0000

A school board will be appointed Monday for the merging Ypsilanti and Willow Run school districts.

Ypsilanti and Willow Run schools to ask voters, "should we merge?"

Tracy Samilton — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 15:02:27 +0000

Two struggling Michigan school districts will ask voters in November if they should merge.

Ypsilanti Public Schools has about 3,600 students; Willow Run Public Schools has about 1,600.

Both districts have serious financial problems, along with poor student test scores and low graduation rates.

Both districts' high schools failed to meet adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind law last year.