AnnArbor.com endorses Ypsilanti-Willow Run school consolidation
Voters in the Ypsilanti and Willow Run public schools face two important decisions on Nov. 6: The question to consolidate the two districts, along with a request that would allow the current millage funding to be shifted to the new district.
AnnArbor.com
This is a landmark decision for the Ypsilanti area, one that will shape its future beyond the classroom due to the contributions of local schools to the fabric of a community.
However, it’s also been a long time coming: Both districts struggle, year after year, with declining student counts, low student achievement and deficit budgets.
We urge the voters in these districts to approve the merger.
The most pressing reason is the sheer magnitude of decisions they face after the October student count: Combined, they’re at least 400 students off of their projections, representing the loss of millions in state aid as the districts already carry millions in debt.
That loss, we believe, represents a loss in confidence in the districts by parents seeking the best educations for their children. That confidence cannot be restored in the ongoing climate of drastic budget cuts.
The decision comes with many unanswered questions, mostly about the configuration of the new district, who would run it and how students and staff would be affected.
We don’t minimize the uncertainty, but believe that it’s necessary at this point, when officials have described the state of the districts as a “death spiral.”
The guidance from Washtenaw Intermediate School District for this consolidation has been effective, and the community has been consulted. We believe that will continue. And while we suspect some voters won’t be satisfied with the final plan, we also believe that it will best serve the overall needs of the community.
AnnArbor.com endorsements are the results of AnnArbor.com interviews with candidates and reporting. The endorsement team includes Laurel Champion, executive vice president; Paula Gardner, community news director; and members of Gardner’s staff, including Bob Needham, entertainment director and former Ann Arbor News editorial page editor; and Cindy Heflin, managing producer.
Comments
Chase Ingersoll
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.
...the high schoolers can't stand each other... Oh great. So this is the culture of idiocy that my wife recalls experiencing in the 1980s when her school, St Francis played basketball against Ypsilanti west middle school. The kids in Ypsilanti were vulgar and antisocial then and that is why teachers in. Ypsilanti send their kids to other districts.
localvoice
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:37 a.m.
Well said Katie!
Katie
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:37 p.m.
I went to West in the early 90's and I'm not, nor was I then, anti-social or vulgar. As for the 'culture of idiocy' label that's ridiculous. If I list all my degrees and accolades, places I've been published, or success stories of others who are products of the Ypsilanti School District I doubt it would make a dent in your brain. You are like most outsiders of Ypsilanti, you formulate opinions about that which you do not understand. Ever since I was a child I have had to correct people from other towns when they would act shocked that I went to Ypsi and was still alive, as though Ypsi schools are located in Beirut. 99% of what they heard wasn't true and the rest of it didn't affect me. There are bad kids in every school and there are bad kids in Ypsi. Your wife was lucky her parents had the money to send her to St. Francis, I'm Catholic and can appreciate what a great school it is, but don't think for a minute that the behavior of a few bad kids reflects the district as a whole from beginning to end. Have some compassion for kids who obviously may not have the most stable home life, many of which are practically raising themselves, and those who are often abused, starved, neglected, belittled, the parents do drugs in front of them etc...you can't even begin to imagine what vulgar and antisocial is or what it may stem from.
str8joe
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:50 p.m.
If this doesn't pass, can it go on the ballot again in February? I don't think they've answered enough questions. I don't believe that they "couldn't." They chose not to. Why couldn't the new board have been picked sooner so that more questions could be answered. They could at least make some commitments to neighborhood schools or academy schools. They could could go with unions or go private or a mix. Like Obama said, if they won't tell you details until after the election, something isn't right.
Y-TownMom
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:10 p.m.
The "They" to whom you refer are the existing board members, I assume. If the consolidation passes, the two existing boards will be dismissed and a new board will be formed. Likely, it won't be formed from members of the existing boards. There aren't any big mysteries here. The districts have both shrunk so much in student population that buildings will have to be closed. The way to have a say in which remain open, and for which students, is to apply for a new board position, or attend meetings and be a vocal proponent for your concerns.
SalineTeacher
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:40 p.m.
There is no new board unless the districts consolidate; the process is set by state law.
ypsidog
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
WOW!!! An endorsement from annarbor.com!! That carrries some real weight. Wonder what is next, an endorsement from the New York Times?? the dog
AAW
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1 p.m.
I work for a local school. I asked a bus driver for one of these schools what she thought about the two school consolidating. She said her concern is that these two high school groups can't stand each other. She hopes that the administration (teachers, supports staff, principles and most important parents) can get them to get along.
Basic Bob
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2:55 a.m.
Sounds like Pioneer/Huron. Maybe they can ask Dr. Green for advice.
Dan r OBryan
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
simple ,vote no.
Dan r OBryan
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
im voting no.schools need to stay in there own communities , the districts need to balance budgets and teach . these districts created the mess their in. this is a quick fix to the real problems that were never addressed. once the schools was to merge ,education wont be any better ,finance wont maintain .ALL districts have suffered in Michigan why bail out these districts .Ypsi schools are financial worst then willow run. The tax payers have supported new building ,additions on elementary schools in willow run . . the schools cant balance a budget year after year .how could they create a new district between July and September. The proposal never says which schools will close ,how much staff would be eliminated . Its real simple TWO BROKE CARS .DON'T MAKE ONE NEW ONE . VOTE NO ON BOTH PROPOSALS
SalineTeacher
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
The proposal CAN'T say what changes will be made as such decisions will be up to the new board! And, you might be sucessful combining two broken cars into one working one.