3 names emerge as finalists for new Ypsilanti-Willow Run school district
On Feb. 4, the unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board will decide on a name for the new district. A decision on which high school, both pictured above, will be used still is forthcoming.
AnnArbor.com file photos
Geography won out in the process to select a name for the new consolidated Ypsilanti-Willow Run school district that launches in July.
Ypsilanti Community Schools, Ypsilanti United School District and Eastern Washtenaw Community Schools were selected as the three finalists.
Voters approved consolidating the Ypsilanti and Willow Run school districts in the November general election.
The unified school board for the new district is expected to vote on one of these three names at its regular board meeting on Feb. 4.
The three finalists were selected from more than 200 unique name submissions. Two public forums to solicit community feedback on the proposed names were conducted last week, and a designated naming committee used that feedback to end at the three names above.
Other suggested names were nods to the history of the Ypsilanti and Willow Run communities, such as Liberation School District and Woodruff’s Grove Public Schools.
The Feb. 4 meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Willow Run High School, 235 Spencer Lane.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
jns131
Sat, Jan 26, 2013 : 3:15 a.m.
Looks like we are going to change the name on the buses again after changing from WR and Ypsi to WISD buses. Wow what a waste of taxpayer money.
Basic Bob
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 : 3:32 p.m.
I'm happy to see a reduction in the number of petty fiefdoms. Now if the city and township would merge there would be one less bureaucracy to support. Think how easy it would be to get Grove Rd. fixed if it was under one organization - either the city or the road commission.
Pablo
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 : 3:11 p.m.
I would have preferred a name to identify/recognize both school districts' names, such as Ypsi-Willow, or something else.
Heather
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 : 2:01 p.m.
Just put them into a hat and pick one! There are so many other much more important issues.
BenWoodruff
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 : 4:51 a.m.
Should be Woodruff's Grove, named after me...
brian
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 : 3:52 a.m.
I myself love Woodruff's Grove Public Schools. I went to Woodruff school and wish our city still had that name.
boo
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 : 2:52 a.m.
The biggest concern isn't picking a name. They need to worry about all the families leaving the district because of the Merger. Two poorly performing school joining? Not a good mix.
beardown
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 : 3:06 a.m.
They seem to be fixated on the fact that school pride, somehow manifested in the new name and mascot, will keep families in the district. Yeah, I agree, it doesn't make an ounce of sense to me either.
Speedy Squirrel
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 : 2:05 a.m.
I think they should have two choices: 1) Hit the books and get those MEP scores up, in which case you can be called the Ypsilanti Consolidated Leadership Academies, or 2) Keep on as you are now, in which case you can be called the Ypsilanti Bag of Hammers Warehouse. Your choice.
treetowncartel
Thu, Jan 24, 2013 : 10:37 p.m.
I still think the name "Atlantis" was best, it reflects all the mortgages that the two prior district boards helped put underwater with their exceptional talent. The mascot could be the Poseidonss, the Greek god of the sea, seeing as how Ypsilanti is Greek in origin. Although, I kind of like the Neptunes better, has a better roll of the tongue, but were not in Rome so we can't do as the Romans do.
Dan r OBryan
Thu, Jan 24, 2013 : 10:05 p.m.
Two broke schools
Basic Bob
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 : 3:27 p.m.
One broke school.
beardown
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 : 4:53 a.m.
Wow, haven't heard that one before.