Pontiac schools will keep top programs; Charter high school put on hold
Despite its financial problems, the Pontiac school district expects enrollment to be up and three top programs to continue when doors open in the fall.
The popular International Technology Academy, which has attracted many students back to the school district, will move to its own building, the former Whitman Elementary on the city’s north side.
Alcott School will move forward as the district’s science, math and technology school — one of just 44 schools in the U.S. invited to pilot the newest science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program for students in grades K-5.
And the district’s FIRST Robotics program, will continue.
However, plans to convert Pontiac High School to a charter school have been put on hold after “careful review of both the impact on student population, staff configurations and cost analysis,” according to a news release.
But ninth-graders will be at Pontiac Middle School beginning this year, not at the high school, with expectations that they will do better in the new arrangement.
The announcements were made in a press release issued by Interim Superintendent Kelley Williams this past Wednesday, two days before a review team appointed by the governor turned in a report concluding the district has a financial emergency with its $37.7 million deficit.
Gov. Rick Snyder will decide whether a financial emergency exists in the district. If Snyder agrees with the review team’s findings, an emergency manager could be appointed to the district. Other options under state law include bankruptcy, a consent agreement and mediation.
Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner partnered with Williams in the press release, noting, “The Pontiac school district’s success is critical to Oakland County, and now is the time for all elected and appointed officials, community organizations, faith leaders, students, and families to rally around the Pontiac School District.
“We are partnering with the Pontiac School District to make sure that its finances are in order so that it can focus on its most important mission: educating our children.”
The popular International Technology Academy, which has attracted many students back to the school district, will move to its own building, the former Whitman Elementary on the city’s north side.
Alcott School will move forward as the district’s science, math and technology school — one of just 44 schools in the U.S. invited to pilot the newest science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program for students in grades K-5.
And the district’s FIRST Robotics program, will continue.
However, plans to convert Pontiac High School to a charter school have been put on hold after “careful review of both the impact on student population, staff configurations and cost analysis,” according to a news release.
But ninth-graders will be at Pontiac Middle School beginning this year, not at the high school, with expectations that they will do better in the new arrangement.
The announcements were made in a press release issued by Interim Superintendent Kelley Williams this past Wednesday, two days before a review team appointed by the governor turned in a report concluding the district has a financial emergency with its $37.7 million deficit.
Gov. Rick Snyder will decide whether a financial emergency exists in the district. If Snyder agrees with the review team’s findings, an emergency manager could be appointed to the district. Other options under state law include bankruptcy, a consent agreement and mediation.
Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner partnered with Williams in the press release, noting, “The Pontiac school district’s success is critical to Oakland County, and now is the time for all elected and appointed officials, community organizations, faith leaders, students, and families to rally around the Pontiac School District.
“We are partnering with the Pontiac School District to make sure that its finances are in order so that it can focus on its most important mission: educating our children.”
Getting the district’s financial house in order is one of the first orders of business, said Williams in the news release that indicated district officials are “working aggressively with local, county and state partners.”
Williams said business management issues are being addressed and the business office will be completely revamped.
“The district, its leadership and faculty are committed to ensuring that doors open on time this fall, and that the district starts a new chapter of educational excellence without the distraction of financial challenges,” Williams said.
The reason for keeping ninth-graders at the middle school is because research has shown that, academically and socially, students are more successful if they don’t move to high school until 10th grade.
The ninth-grade Academy will participate in the AVID program, which has increased the middle school seventh- an- eighth-grade MEAP scores by 18 percent in a full academic year.
Furthermore, the district is enhancing partnerships with several viable companies that will provide services free to students in Pontiac school district, such as Sylvan Learning, Hewlett Packard at the Pontiac Middle School and General Motors Corp. There will be 273 preschool slots and reading and math interventions, Williams said.
Further, the district is committed to a model that is designed to strengthen literacy and mathematics with a pervasive, seamless and transparent K-12 approach, said Williams, who was assistant superintendent for curriculum before recently being made interim superintendent.
“The difference from previous school years in the Pontiac school district is the focus and intent to improve alignment between all pertinent departments and staff,” Williams said.
For information or to enroll for the school year, contact Williams’ office at 248-451-6883.
Williams said business management issues are being addressed and the business office will be completely revamped.
“The district, its leadership and faculty are committed to ensuring that doors open on time this fall, and that the district starts a new chapter of educational excellence without the distraction of financial challenges,” Williams said.
The reason for keeping ninth-graders at the middle school is because research has shown that, academically and socially, students are more successful if they don’t move to high school until 10th grade.
The ninth-grade Academy will participate in the AVID program, which has increased the middle school seventh- an- eighth-grade MEAP scores by 18 percent in a full academic year.
Furthermore, the district is enhancing partnerships with several viable companies that will provide services free to students in Pontiac school district, such as Sylvan Learning, Hewlett Packard at the Pontiac Middle School and General Motors Corp. There will be 273 preschool slots and reading and math interventions, Williams said.
Further, the district is committed to a model that is designed to strengthen literacy and mathematics with a pervasive, seamless and transparent K-12 approach, said Williams, who was assistant superintendent for curriculum before recently being made interim superintendent.
“The difference from previous school years in the Pontiac school district is the focus and intent to improve alignment between all pertinent departments and staff,” Williams said.
For information or to enroll for the school year, contact Williams’ office at 248-451-6883.
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