CONTACT: Emma Jackson (734) 994-8100, ext. 1321 (days) or ejackson@wash.k12.mi.

us ISSUED: August 15, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Survey says Willow Run and Ypsilanti voters willing to support consolidation
Ypsilanti, MichiganA recent survey says voters in both the Willow Run and Ypsilanti School Districts are willing to support consolidation of the two school districts. And, the more information they hear about how it could work, the more supportive they become. The survey, commissioned by Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) and conducted by Lansing-based EPIC MRA between July 28, 2012 and August 4, 2012, included 600 randomly selected active registered voters who are likely to participate in the November general election -- 300 from the Willow Run School District and 300 from the Ypsilanti School District. When initially asked how they would vote on a proposal to consolidate the two school districts, 45% said they would vote yes and another 11% said they would lean toward voting yesfor a potential likely yes vote of 56%. As the survey progressed, voters were given more details about the two school districts situations and asked again about consolidation. After hearing more details, support increased for the proposal with 57% of those surveyed saying they would vote for consolidation and another 9% saying they would lean toward voting yesfor a potential likely yes vote of 66%. We are cautiously optimistic about the results, says Scott Menzel, WISD Superintendent. The districts will use the survey information, along with other community input to inform their consolidation work. The poll has a margin of error of + 4% overall and + 5.7% in each district. The survey respondents answered a variety of questions about their schools during the 15-minute telephone interview. In addition to expressing their opinion about consolidation, respondents were asked about some of the features they would support in a new, unified education system that stresses achievement for all students from birth to career. The features that ranked the highest included:
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students graduating high school with an associates degree; a school system in which learning is the constant and time is the variable so that students are given the opportunity to advance sooner if they are able or allowed more time if they need it to succeed; a flexible system that can operate outside the school building and school day offering project-based and placed-based learning in the community support from area educational partners to achieve educational excellence as well as financial stability.

Menzel says the two boards of education and their superintendents will continue to reach out to the community about the proposed unified school district. Weve held input sessions, public forums, joint board meetings and involved community members in a two-day design session. Weve attended community gatherings and festivals. Weve talked with school district residents over coffee in local businesses. Now, weve conducted a poll where all voters had the same chance to be included. All of these methods will help the districts gain a clearer picture of what the communities want for their childrens future, he adds. As we move forward, there will be many more opportunities for residents to have their voices heard. Voters will have their say on Tuesday, November 6th in the General Election. The Willow Run and Ypsilanti Boards of Education voted on August 8th, at a joint board meeting, to place the question of consolidating the two school districts on the November General Election ballot. The entire EPIC MRA survey will be posted by Monday, August 20, 2012 at: www.together4ss.org.

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