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YPSILANTI: Willow Run, Ypsilanti School districts to share transportation complex
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Willow Run Board of Education President Don Garrett, left, and Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Menzel spoke at the Ypsilanti Public Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday, about the inter-district co-location of transportation services.
Willow Run and Ypsilanti School Districts will enter into contract negotiations to co-locate at a transportation complex on the existing Willow Run property, in accordance with recommendations from the districts’ Communication and Collaboration Task Force.
“I think it’s time that Ypsi and Willow Run both decide what’s best for the kids, what’s best for the community and what’s best for the state of Michigan, as a whole,” Willow Run School Board President Don Garrett said at YPS’s board meeting Monday.
“It’s a new day, it’s a new era and we have to realize that we have to work together in order for us to survive,” he said.
Both boards unanimously voted to move forward in the collaboration process.
“I think tonight represents a significant milestone for the group,” Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Menzel said, at the YPS board meeting.
Menzel is also involved in the task force.
“This takes what was said in August, in terms of an intent to work together, and moves it to action,” he said.
“In very difficult times we have to do whatever we can to leverage the resources that we have to improve outcomes for students.”
Ypsilanti Education Association President Kelly Powers called it a “win-win” situation for both districts.
“If it gets money into the classroom, we are all for that, so we are very supportive of this situation and I think it’s only the beginning of what we can really do,” Powers said. Continued...
“I think it’s time that Ypsi and Willow Run both decide what’s best for the kids, what’s best for the community and what’s best for the state of Michigan, as a whole,” Willow Run School Board President Don Garrett said at YPS’s board meeting Monday.
“It’s a new day, it’s a new era and we have to realize that we have to work together in order for us to survive,” he said.
Both boards unanimously voted to move forward in the collaboration process.
“I think tonight represents a significant milestone for the group,” Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Menzel said, at the YPS board meeting.
Menzel is also involved in the task force.
“This takes what was said in August, in terms of an intent to work together, and moves it to action,” he said.
“In very difficult times we have to do whatever we can to leverage the resources that we have to improve outcomes for students.”
Ypsilanti Education Association President Kelly Powers called it a “win-win” situation for both districts.
“If it gets money into the classroom, we are all for that, so we are very supportive of this situation and I think it’s only the beginning of what we can really do,” Powers said. Continued...
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The Communication and Collaboration Task Force formed in August and includes members from both boards of education, who began evaluating alternative YPS transportation options in November.
“And after great study - with a great deal of assistance from Mr. Menzel and his team at the Intermediate School District - identified probably the best possible solution, which would be for Ypsilanti to share Willow Run’s current transportation facility,” YPS Board President David Bates said.
The agreement will include modifications to Willow Run’s Sampson Building, to make room for YPS’s operations, maintenance, staff and approximately 40-bus fleet.
Both boards of education also authorized Superintendents Dedrick Martin and Laura Lisiscki to work with Menzel to issue a joint request for proposals, in consideration of subcontractor bids for a combined system.
Vice President Kira Berman made a point of clarification at the YPS meeting.
“This is a motion for an RFP, not a motion to privative transportation,” she said.
The RFPs allow both districts to explore all options and justify costs.
“It in no way obligates us to move in this direction or take any action,” Bates said.
At their Jan. 19 meeting, Willow Run Board members also made assurances that a low-bid response to the RFPs does not mean that the districts will privatize the service.
Menzel and representatives from both school boards attended each districts’ most recent meeting. Continued...
“And after great study - with a great deal of assistance from Mr. Menzel and his team at the Intermediate School District - identified probably the best possible solution, which would be for Ypsilanti to share Willow Run’s current transportation facility,” YPS Board President David Bates said.
The agreement will include modifications to Willow Run’s Sampson Building, to make room for YPS’s operations, maintenance, staff and approximately 40-bus fleet.
Both boards of education also authorized Superintendents Dedrick Martin and Laura Lisiscki to work with Menzel to issue a joint request for proposals, in consideration of subcontractor bids for a combined system.
Vice President Kira Berman made a point of clarification at the YPS meeting.
“This is a motion for an RFP, not a motion to privative transportation,” she said.
The RFPs allow both districts to explore all options and justify costs.
“It in no way obligates us to move in this direction or take any action,” Bates said.
At their Jan. 19 meeting, Willow Run Board members also made assurances that a low-bid response to the RFPs does not mean that the districts will privatize the service.
Menzel and representatives from both school boards attended each districts’ most recent meeting. Continued...
According to a quarterly report, the Communication and Collaboration Task Force will meet at the end of Februrary to: “continue discussing additional opportunities for collaboration and sharing between the two districts including Business Services and Universal High School Access.”
The group’s goals include minimizing the effects of funding cuts and retaining community control of both districts, according to the quarterly report.
“We’re discussing the potential of making opportunities available for students in both districts, regardless of where they’re residing. So that, depending on the program, they can come to…Ypsi or Willow Run,” Menzel said.
“So there will be some opportunity for them to take advantage of the multiple offerings between the two districts.”
The transportation center is not the only current collaboration between the districts. They also share in the Regional Career and Technical Consortium and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp, Menzel said.
Additional cooperative opportunities may exist, to maximize resources for students in the classroom, he said.
Task force members will discuss and consider more options over the next year.
Rachelle Marshall is a freelance writer for the Ypsilanti Courier. She can be reached at rachellefmarshall@gmail.com.
Text HERNews and HERWeather to 22700 to receive news and weather alerts to your cellphone. Msg and data rates may apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.
The group’s goals include minimizing the effects of funding cuts and retaining community control of both districts, according to the quarterly report.
“We’re discussing the potential of making opportunities available for students in both districts, regardless of where they’re residing. So that, depending on the program, they can come to…Ypsi or Willow Run,” Menzel said.
“So there will be some opportunity for them to take advantage of the multiple offerings between the two districts.”
The transportation center is not the only current collaboration between the districts. They also share in the Regional Career and Technical Consortium and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp, Menzel said.
Additional cooperative opportunities may exist, to maximize resources for students in the classroom, he said.
Task force members will discuss and consider more options over the next year.
Rachelle Marshall is a freelance writer for the Ypsilanti Courier. She can be reached at rachellefmarshall@gmail.com.
Text HERNews and HERWeather to 22700 to receive news and weather alerts to your cellphone. Msg and data rates may apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.
Willow Run and Ypsilanti School Districts will enter into contract negotiations to co-locate at a transportation complex on the existing Willow Run property, in accordance with recommendations from the districts’ Communication and Collaboration Task Force.
“I think it’s time that Ypsi and Willow Run both decide what’s best for the kids, what’s best for the community and what’s best for the state of Michigan, as a whole,” Willow Run School Board President Don Garrett said at YPS’s board meeting Monday.
“It’s a new day, it’s a new era and we have to realize that we have to work together in order for us to survive,” he said.
Both boards unanimously voted to move forward in the collaboration process.
“I think tonight represents a significant milestone for the group,” Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Menzel said, at the YPS board meeting.
Menzel is also involved in the task force.
“This takes what was said in August, in terms of an intent to work together, and moves it to action,” he said.
“In very difficult times we have to do whatever we can to leverage the resources that we have to improve outcomes for students.”
Ypsilanti Education Association President Kelly Powers called it a “win-win” situation for both districts.
“If it gets money into the classroom, we are all for that, so we are very supportive of this situation and I think it’s only the beginning of what we can really do,” Powers said.
The Communication and Collaboration Task Force formed in August and includes members from both boards of education, who began evaluating alternative YPS transportation options in November.
“And after great study - with a great deal of assistance from Mr. Menzel and his team at the Intermediate School District - identified probably the best possible solution, which would be for Ypsilanti to share Willow Run’s current transportation facility,” YPS Board President David Bates said.
The agreement will include modifications to Willow Run’s Sampson Building, to make room for YPS’s operations, maintenance, staff and approximately 40-bus fleet.
Both boards of education also authorized Superintendents Dedrick Martin and Laura Lisiscki to work with Menzel to issue a joint request for proposals, in consideration of subcontractor bids for a combined system.
Vice President Kira Berman made a point of clarification at the YPS meeting.
“This is a motion for an RFP, not a motion to privative transportation,” she said.
The RFPs allow both districts to explore all options and justify costs.
“It in no way obligates us to move in this direction or take any action,” Bates said.
At their Jan. 19 meeting, Willow Run Board members also made assurances that a low-bid response to the RFPs does not mean that the districts will privatize the service.
Menzel and representatives from both school boards attended each districts’ most recent meeting.
According to a quarterly report, the Communication and Collaboration Task Force will meet at the end of Februrary to: “continue discussing additional opportunities for collaboration and sharing between the two districts including Business Services and Universal High School Access.”
The group’s goals include minimizing the effects of funding cuts and retaining community control of both districts, according to the quarterly report.
“We’re discussing the potential of making opportunities available for students in both districts, regardless of where they’re residing. So that, depending on the program, they can come to…Ypsi or Willow Run,” Menzel said.
“So there will be some opportunity for them to take advantage of the multiple offerings between the two districts.”
The transportation center is not the only current collaboration between the districts. They also share in the Regional Career and Technical Consortium and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp, Menzel said.
Additional cooperative opportunities may exist, to maximize resources for students in the classroom, he said.
Task force members will discuss and consider more options over the next year.
Rachelle Marshall is a freelance writer for the Ypsilanti Courier. She can be reached at rachellefmarshall@gmail.com.
Text HERNews and HERWeather to 22700 to receive news and weather alerts to your cellphone. Msg and data rates may apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.
“I think it’s time that Ypsi and Willow Run both decide what’s best for the kids, what’s best for the community and what’s best for the state of Michigan, as a whole,” Willow Run School Board President Don Garrett said at YPS’s board meeting Monday.
“It’s a new day, it’s a new era and we have to realize that we have to work together in order for us to survive,” he said.
Both boards unanimously voted to move forward in the collaboration process.
“I think tonight represents a significant milestone for the group,” Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Menzel said, at the YPS board meeting.
Menzel is also involved in the task force.
“This takes what was said in August, in terms of an intent to work together, and moves it to action,” he said.
“In very difficult times we have to do whatever we can to leverage the resources that we have to improve outcomes for students.”
Ypsilanti Education Association President Kelly Powers called it a “win-win” situation for both districts.
“If it gets money into the classroom, we are all for that, so we are very supportive of this situation and I think it’s only the beginning of what we can really do,” Powers said.
The Communication and Collaboration Task Force formed in August and includes members from both boards of education, who began evaluating alternative YPS transportation options in November.
“And after great study - with a great deal of assistance from Mr. Menzel and his team at the Intermediate School District - identified probably the best possible solution, which would be for Ypsilanti to share Willow Run’s current transportation facility,” YPS Board President David Bates said.
The agreement will include modifications to Willow Run’s Sampson Building, to make room for YPS’s operations, maintenance, staff and approximately 40-bus fleet.
Both boards of education also authorized Superintendents Dedrick Martin and Laura Lisiscki to work with Menzel to issue a joint request for proposals, in consideration of subcontractor bids for a combined system.
Vice President Kira Berman made a point of clarification at the YPS meeting.
“This is a motion for an RFP, not a motion to privative transportation,” she said.
The RFPs allow both districts to explore all options and justify costs.
“It in no way obligates us to move in this direction or take any action,” Bates said.
At their Jan. 19 meeting, Willow Run Board members also made assurances that a low-bid response to the RFPs does not mean that the districts will privatize the service.
Menzel and representatives from both school boards attended each districts’ most recent meeting.
According to a quarterly report, the Communication and Collaboration Task Force will meet at the end of Februrary to: “continue discussing additional opportunities for collaboration and sharing between the two districts including Business Services and Universal High School Access.”
The group’s goals include minimizing the effects of funding cuts and retaining community control of both districts, according to the quarterly report.
“We’re discussing the potential of making opportunities available for students in both districts, regardless of where they’re residing. So that, depending on the program, they can come to…Ypsi or Willow Run,” Menzel said.
“So there will be some opportunity for them to take advantage of the multiple offerings between the two districts.”
The transportation center is not the only current collaboration between the districts. They also share in the Regional Career and Technical Consortium and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp, Menzel said.
Additional cooperative opportunities may exist, to maximize resources for students in the classroom, he said.
Task force members will discuss and consider more options over the next year.
Rachelle Marshall is a freelance writer for the Ypsilanti Courier. She can be reached at rachellefmarshall@gmail.com.
Text HERNews and HERWeather to 22700 to receive news and weather alerts to your cellphone. Msg and data rates may apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.
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