Melissa Cischke

The Board meeting included a Head Start Self-Assessment quarterly update, a presentation on Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, and the approval of various employment recommendations and staff resignations. The Board authorized contracts with Arch of Self, LLC, Jackson County ISD, and Integrated Design Solutions, LLC, and accepted a Toyota R&D community donation. Additionally, the Board approved updated Head Start/GRSP policies regarding shared governance.

The meeting included a review of financial reports for February, an Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice discussion, and approval of various employment recommendations, reclassifications, resignations, and retirements. The Board authorized several contracts, including agreements with Security Designs, Washtenaw Community College, and Edmin Support Services LLC. Additionally, the Board authorized the administration to apply for the 2026-2027 Head Start Non-Competitive Grant and a leadership fellowship planning contract with Kriseles, and accepted a MILEAP OST Grant. The meeting also involved a discussion regarding a Head Start Self-Assessment Interview and various administrative and Board member reports.

The board meeting included reviews of financial reports and the approval of the Head Start financial statement. An equity, inclusion, and social justice dialogue was conducted, along with the approval of various staff employment recommendations, reclassifications, resignations, and retirements. The Board authorized several contracts, amendments, and grant applications, including agreements with Laurel Manor, Advantage Educational Consulting, Reclamation Ed, and Verizon Wireless. Additionally, the Board adopted the 2025-2026 budget amendments for multiple funds, accepted a MILEAP grant award, and entered into a closed session for the Superintendent's evaluation.

The Board meeting included discussions on financial reports for February 2026, including the General Fund and Head Start financial reports. The agenda featured a dialogue on equity, inclusion, and social justice. Consent agenda items included employment, reclassification, resignation, and retirement recommendations, as well as contracts and amendments for the Beatty Early Learning Center camera system, Washtenaw Community College, and Emdin Support Services, LLC. New business items included the 2026-2027 Head Start Non-Competitive Grant application, a Leadership Fellowship planning contract, and a resolution for the NAEYC Week of the Young Child. Additionally, the Board discussed scheduling for a Head Start self-assessment interview and received administrative and board reports.

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD), in partnership with Eastern Michigan University (EMU), has launched a Parapro-to-Teacher Certification Pilot Program. This initiative addresses teacher shortages by expediting certification for current teaching assistants and peer educators, focusing on special education endorsements for emotional impairment or learning disabilities. The program invests in experienced paraprofessionals already committed to local districts, aiming to remove barriers to certification, promote diversity among educators, and provide opportunities for professional growth to develop highly dedicated certified teachers.