WISD

Out of the 10 school districts that are part of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, only two currently offer in-person instruction options.  

A worldwide Google outage affected virtual learning tools Monday morning used by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District.  

High schools in Washtenaw County will continue using a virtual learning model after the State of Michigan extended a statewide partial shutdown from December 8th to December 20th.  

As of today, Wednesday, November 18th, all high schools in Washtenaw County with in-person instruction have shifted to virtual learning only.  

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District says state and federal funding would be necessary if students are required to get tested for COVID-19 in the future. 

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District is continuing to work with other local school districts to improve the remote learning experience for students throughout the county.

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District says four of its districts experienced temporary issues with their internet connection on Tuesday as students began their virtual learning from home.  

While not all school districts are offering school bus transportation this week as the new school year gets underway, five out of the nine districts that are part of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District will have service.  

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District, also known as WISD, says making sure school buses are safe for students to ride during COVID-19 is a priority for school districts that will offer in-person instruction in the fall.  

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District will launch its Safe Schools Washtenaw campaign drive next week to help its districts prepare for in-person instruction in the fall.  

The reconstruction of High Point School in Ann Arbor has been delayed by three months because of COVID-19.  

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District expects to receive less state revenue sharing this year as a result of COVID-19.  

The state deadline to start implementing “distance learning plans” for school districts during the coronavirus pandemic is April 28th. 

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District is now reviewing “Distance Learning Plan” proposals that will determine how local students will learn from home for the rest of the school year.  

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District is working on an action plan after Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order saying that K through 12 schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year. 

There was only one countywide ballot initiative to be decided in Tuesday's elections in Washtenaw County.  That, coupled with time of year, may be why of the roughly 291-thousand registered voters, only a little more than 28-thousand cast a ballot.  89.1 WEMU's David Fair caught up with Washtenaw County director of elections Ed Golembiewski to discuss low turnout and what to expect come the November elections.

Every Monday morning, the executive director of the CivCity Initiative joins WEMU's David Fair for a conversation on topics pertinent to Washtenaw County and the city of Ann Arbor.  Mary Morgan will provide news, analysis, commentary and explain the various ways residents can become more engaged.

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District along with MLive and The Ann Arbor News are hosting a school supply drive for homeless students in the county. 

Voters approved a special education millage for Washtenaw Intermediate School District in Tuesday's election.

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District has put a  special education millage question before voters today. 

Michigan is saying goodbye to the MEAP test this coming spring.  Washtenaw County school districts appear ready to roll out the new online Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, or M-STEP test.

Naomi Norman is Executive Director of Achievement Services for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. 

She says M-STEP is more than a bunch of multiple choice questions - students are going to have to answer some questions in writing.

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District is holding a Bus Driver Job Fair Saturday with a goal of finding 15-20 additional drivers.

Washtenaw County students continue to show improvement in the Michigan Merit Exam.

Washtenaw Intermediate School District communication specialist Emma Jackson says improvements among the class of 2015 were seen in reading, writing, science and social studies, while math proficiency stayed about the same.

"Our reading scores really stand out at 72 percent proficient," Jackson says, "and they're some of the highest in the state."

Ypsilanti Community Schools is getting a $1,000,000 grant to help prepare students for careers in science, technology, enginnering and math.     Superintendent Scott Menzel said the money from the U.S.

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District is preparing for the new school year by collecting clothing and school supplies for homeless students.  WEMU's Bob Eccles tells us more about the WISD's Education Project for Homeless Youth.

Find out more about the project here:  http://wash.k12.mi.us/instruction/ephy.php

The Engineering Society of Detroit on Thursday evening, recognized  the Director of the Eastern Michigan University's Early college Alliance for his program leadership. 

For more details, listen to the podcast above.

The unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board last night accepted a recommendation that the consolidated district move toward a year-round educational model.  The board's High Quality Teachers and Teaching Advisory Committee believes year-round school will help keep students from losing much of what they've learned over an extended summer break.  The board will now establish a work team to look into the different types of balanced calendar models and figure out which is best for the district.  The public's input on the idea will also be sought.  Year-round school wouldn't begin until the 20

  The school board representing the Ypsilanti and Willow Run school districts has adopted resolutions to lay off both districts' entire workforce effective June 30th.  Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.