Eddie Manuszak

At the end of 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) announced that the state of Michigan had the highest pre-kindergarten enrollment numbers over the past decade and an increase of over 4,000 students from 2023 figures. The Ypsilanti Community Schools saw a 15% increase in pre-kindergarten enrollment. Rylee Barnsdale checked in with Washtenaw Intermediate School District executive director of early childhood, Edward Manuszak, to discuss the increase and what it weans to the community on this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."

Governor Whitmer’s proposal to make free universal childcare available for all four-year olds in the state is being looked at as a ‘game changer’ in Washtenaw County. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has more.

More investment is being made in early childhood education in Washtenaw County as the need for help and support continues to grow. WEMU's David Fair spoke with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District's Eddie Manusczak about what that looks like locally and what the future holds for helping children and families and improving the communities' steps toward greater equity and opportunity.