Unification Affirmed

As the parent of a 2012 Ypsilanti High School graduate, a teacher with twenty-seven years of service in Willow Run Community Schools, and as a life long resident of Ypsilanti, I am deeply invested in our community and in supporting student success in both school districts. I believe in public education. The unification process gives our community the opportunity to work together in an effort to create a stronger public school system for our students. I have seen firsthand the strength, creativity, and commitment in our community when we face challenges together. I am optimistic that we can use our knowledge, skills, and our dedication to create a new unified school district that builds on our strengths, opens the door to new educational opportunities, and establishes a sustainable future for our community school system. 
Debbie Swanson
Title I Teacher - Willow Run Intermediate 

Mascot/School Colors recommendation

Click here to see the recommendation that was made to the Board of Education April 11, 2013.

Calendar of Advisory Meetings

Click here to see the calendar of scheduled meetings for the YCS Advisory Groups

Recommendations Approved by the Board of Education

Click here to view the recommendations for YCS that have come before the Board and have been approved.

Building a Unified District - moving from design to reality

An event to explain the work of moving from district design to development is 5:30 p.m., Thursday, January 24, 2013 at the Willow Run Auditorium, 235 Spencer Lane, Ypsilanti. Various tasks are assigned to Advisory Groups, which will formulate academic and extracurricular recommendations to present to the Board of Education. The groups are working in subject areas based on the five educational pillars the community identified as critical to include in the new school system. The evening will include a meal and participants are asked to RSVP by Jan. 21 to bhegwood@wash.k12.mi.us or call (734) 994-8100, ext. 1283. Click here to view the flyer for the Jan. 24th event.

Advisory Groups - Brief overview

The Advisory Groups will look at seven different areas related to the unified district and create a developmental plan for each. Click here to see the overview document.  Advisory groups in the following areas were formed for the purpose of making recommendations on the design of specific aspects of the unified district:
Early Childhood
High Quality Teachers and Teaching (recommendation report Feb. 28, 2013)
Effective Leaders at All Levels
Culture and Climate
College Credit and Career Credentials
District Naming and Mascot
Co-curricular Activities

Click here to visit the Advisory Groups Web site

Draft Design-Five Educational Pillars

Click here to view the power point outlining the educational pillars of a unified district. 
Click here to read the Executive Summary for the unified district.

Local Organizations Support Unification

Letters of Support
State Superintendent Mike Flanagan
A2Y Chamber of Commerce
Ministerial Alliance
Ypsilanti-Willow Run NAACP
Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton