THIS WEEK IN LOCAL EDUCATION: Washtenaw County districts prepare for the start of school

Posted on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 8:55 a.m.

The floors are being polished, desks are being carefully arranged and books are neatly stacked on bookshelves.

It’s back to school time.

With students due back in schools next week (all local public schools start Sept. 8), schools are starting to get back in the swing of things.

School offices opened last week for parents to drop by for registration.

Lots of Ann Arbor elementary schools are holding welcome back picnics this week.

Ann Arbor’s teachers will kick off the 2009-10 school year on Tuesday, when they gather for their traditional opening day ceremony at Pioneer High School.

Teachers will then get plenty of professional development over the next couple of days.

As for public meetings this week, the Ann Arbor school board has a couple.

On Tuesday, the board’s planning committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the district’s administrative offices. An agenda wasn’t available as of 9 a.m. Monday.

On Wednesday night, the full board will gather at 5:30 p.m., also in the district’s administrative offices, for its annual board retreat.

On the agenda is a discussion about social climate in the schools, a report from Superintendent Todd Roberts on his goals for the upcoming school year and a discussion about how the board feels it met its goals for the 2008-09 school year.