COPE alternative school for expelled students to close after 41 years
Rodrecus Tartt, of Ypsilanti, delivers a poem during a Dec. 17, 2009, "Telling It" event organized by COPE school in Ypsilanti. Telling It was a way for the students to express their feelings on the topic of fear through poems, videos and artwork. Tartt was the emcee for the event. COPE will be closing its doors Friday after 41 years of serving Washtenaw County youth.
AnnArbor.com file photo
Described as the “last option” for struggling youth in Washtenaw County, the Center for Occupational and Personalized Education (COPE) program will close its doors on Friday after more than 41 years.
The school’s 13 staff members were informed they would be losing their jobs Monday, when the Board of Directors voted to stop operating COPE due to decreased funding.
The alternative education program employs an executive director, four teachers, two project coordinators, two special education teachers, a secretary, a building substitute, a psychologist and a middle school teacher. At the end of the 2011-12 academic year, COPE had 58 students who would be impacted by the progam's closing.
On its website Tuesday, COPE leaders expressed their gratitude.
“We want to wish the best to all of our former students,” they wrote. “We want to thank the staff that have worked so hard for so many years. And we want to thank the community that allowed us the honor to make a difference.”
June 1 was the last day for students, while Friday is the last day for staff. The program’s lease on the building is up in August, school leaders said. COPE rents space in Ypsilanti Public Schools’ former Chapelle Elementary School, which was closed prior to the 2010-11 academic year.
Late Washtenaw County Judge Francis L. O’Brien founded COPE in 1971.
“It's a sad day that the economy has gotten to a point where we can no longer afford to provide educational opportunities for our most needy youth,” said O’Brien’s daughter-in-law, current Trial Court Judge Darlene O’Brien.
For Darlene O’Brien and her husband, Tom, the school’s closing is similar to losing a loved one.
She said, in a way, her family’s identity has been linked to COPE since its inception. She and Tom gave several years of service to the school. Darlene sat on the Board of Directors for 14 years and the advisory board for the past four, she said.
“COPE has been a wonderful resource for the community," Darlene O’Brien said. "It has such a dedicated and talented staff, many of whom have stayed with the program for years. Together they have provided really a last option for youth that have had a real difficulty achieving success in a traditional school setting.
“So many students reported (COPE) was a turning point for them.”
COPE began as a residential facility for high-risk, court-involved females, according to its website. But as the county’s needs changed, it quickly evolved into a comprehensive program for 13- to 17-year-old students who were expelled from the county’s traditional school districts, O'Brien said, and sometimes for bringing weapons to school, according to COPE's website. The emphasis was on remedial education and skill training.
In 1996, according to the website, COPE expanded its services to 10 through 13 years olds.
Today, COPE also was serving students with truancy issues, behavioral problems, special education needs and emotional, mental or learning disabilities, Darlene O’Brien said.
COPE was funded in recent years via local school districts securing seats in the program. The districts paid to “reserve” a set number of seats, but with local districts suffering due to funding cuts at the state level, they were securing fewer and fewer seats.
Emma Jackson, director of public relations for Ypsilanti Public Schools, said for the 2012-13 school year, Ypsilanti was going to secure 10 seats at COPE, for a cost per-seat slightly greater than what Ypsilanti receives per pupil from the state.
Jackson said in the past, YPS has secured up to 19 seats.
“And I don’t believe we’ve always used them all,” she said.
Around 2005, the Washtenaw Intermediate School District began contributing to COPE as well. It was determined many of the students who participated in the program were students with disabilities, said WISD Superintendent Scott Menzel.
“So we began providing special education funding,” he said.
As the WISD analyzed its special needs funding for the 2012-13 school year, Menzel said the amount it could contribute turned out to be less, due to what is allowable under the current legislation for special education funding.
He added the reduction had nothing to do with budget issues the WISD was facing, but rather was the result of fewer special education students in the program and new special education funding laws.
Jackson said YPS administrators will work with the district’s building leaders to look for new ways to provide an alternative education experience for those middle and high schoolers who need it. She said Ypsilanti has an agreement with Ann Arbor Public Schools to send high school students who meet qualifying criteria to the Roberto Clemente Student Development Center.
How to best use Chapelle Elementary likely will be part of a future conversation for YPS, Jackson said. The Ypsilanti Board of Education is exploring selling several other properties as part of its deficit elimination plan.
Jackson said the district’s adult education program and the Huron Valley Club, an offshoot of the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan, also are housed at Chapelle.
View an AnnArbor.com photo slideshow from a 2009 COPE's event here. Read the accompanying story here.
AnnArbor.com's Executive Vice President Laurel Champion has served on the COPE Board of Directors and remains on its advisory board.
Staff reporter Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
Austin Winkle
Sun, Jun 10, 2012 : 4:53 a.m.
I remember going to cope, i went there my sophmore year and my junior year of highschool. they really did help me turn my life around, i was bullied constantly and having a horrble time at my other school that i was going to then cope helped me and got me back to where i really wanted to be, a place where i could hold my head up high and regain my self-confedence, and be able to know what i was doing with my school work and understanding it at the same time. I always said that i will go back to see them and now i can't and now i regret not going back after two years, i rememeber all the teachers there my Grandmother figure i always thought "barb" who i absolutely miss to death, "nate" who always was wise and always knew what to say, the motherly and sisterly figure "kim" who was always there and taught me who i was and really helping me dig into myself to bring the true me into this world, by coming out of the closet. Mr.Clark who was my all time favorite Math teacher! Oh and deb cant forget about deb. and all the other teachers i didnt mention. they are all good people, always putting themselfs out there for the students. Students first was their priotity. they will always hold that special part in my heart and in my life. I remember that day of the photo, i was in the event that day with our drama class.. along with my other classmates who i have pictures of all of us together still hanging up on my wall in my room. The dvd that we all made of the spoof of thriller her breath is killer. I miss all of you, i hope you all keep changing these lives of these kids wherever you may go, because they need you they really do. I hope that our paths meet again someday. blessings Austin Winkle
cj
Thu, Jun 7, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.
Being a former student of COPE I really dislike the fact that people are posting obscure things on COPE because truthfully all COPE was here to do is make sure that troubled kids in the Washtenaw area received a better education.... So if you guys are posting asinine things about COPE you guys should just get a life because it seems as though you guys have nothing better to do. I would just like to thank the COPE staff for helping me achieve a better education for myself.
jns131
Thu, Jun 7, 2012 : 11:39 p.m.
And that is why we have Clemente, Stone and that one on Ecorse road.
cj
Thu, Jun 7, 2012 : 8:26 p.m.
Being a former student of COPE I really dislike the fact that people are posting obscured things on COPE because truthfully all cope was here to do is make sure that troubled kids in the Washtenaw area.... So if you guys are posting asinine things about COPE you guys should just get a life because it sseems as though you guys have nothing better to do. I would just like to thank the COPE staff for helping me achieve a better education for myself.
agiacic
Thu, Jun 7, 2012 : 1:04 a.m.
I worked for about 3 years at COPE and hearing this is heart breaking. Some of my most memorable relationships were with students and staff members at this school - it was such an incredible place. Before making statements about tax payer money please just remember that this place gave youth and teens of the next generation another chance to cultivate and enrich their minds before they were left to fend for themselves.
MyCommentNow
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
KMHall is on the money when speaking to the necessity of caring for children whose parents are unable or unwilling to be there for them, emotionally and/or economically. YES, we have that moral responsibility as a society. Our children are our treasures. Protecting, nurturing and educating them is our highest priority. That's why I'm sad that COPE was reduced to a system of underrating the intelligence and resourcefulness of its students and their parents and families. Parents MUST be invited and encouraged to be involved in their children's lives. ALL children need strong advocates who believe in their potential to learn. School can be hideous or wonderful or ho-hum.... we can make it wonderful for ALL students. I'm disappointed that so many students were exiled to COPE and forgotten... Did they arrive back at their home schools (since diplomas weren't an option at COPE) ready to learn and succeed? I've talked to many (students, parents, school personnel) and have heard: "No". Just recently a COPE student, who missed out on the last week of school when school was abruptly dismissed, told me he didn't ever want to go back to a "real high school" because he "didn't have to do anything at COPE". Yes, we need rigorous programs in our schools to help ALL student engage in learning. Support, from prenatal and on, is essential. AUTHENTIC support that HELPS the child-- EVERY child.
The Black Stallion3
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
Very well said Mike "This is not an issue of money. It's an issue of the breakdown of the family unit. The kids are also not encouraged to learn to speak proper english which puts them at a disadvantage. They are encouraged to keep their "individuality" which to most outsiders looks like baggy pants, crooked hat and bandanas, foul language, slang, rap music, drugs, and the gangsta culture. But this is never covered in the news media and talked about by the political leaders. We are kicking the can down the raod and losing another generation or two who will most likely vote for the party who gives them free stuff................."
The Black Stallion3
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.
What a sorry state of affairs we have here.
David Cahill
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
COPE's closing is terrible news for these students and for the county as a whole.
jns131
Thu, Jun 7, 2012 : 11:38 p.m.
AAPS, Stone and the one on Ecorse road can absorb these children.
Pickforddick
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 6:58 p.m.
Why?
DAN
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 4:10 p.m.
If the local school districts got rid of their excess of "administrators," they could afford to keep funding this program which helped those students who were in need of such a program.
The Black Stallion3
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 8:23 p.m.
Wrong....Moose
DonBee
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 6:40 p.m.
AdmiralMoose - So since AAPS spends 1 dollar out of 8 on administration, based on their filing with the State of Michigan (there are 4 FID categories that have all the administrative costs in them), that is not excessive in your mind? Just wondering - since that is north of $25,000,000.00 a year.
AdmiralMoose
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 5:03 p.m.
Local school districts do not have an "excess" of administrators. They do have an excess of debt, however, because of Michigan's broken funding model as well as the Michigan legislature's refusal to invest in our students.
DonBee
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 3:21 p.m.
Here is my issue...AAPS has Clemente and the rest of the county has (had) COPE. Why was there not a serious discussion about combining the Clemente program with the COPE program? It seems that if the two programs are trying to do the same thing for the same kinds of students and issues, that one strong program for the county is better than several financially weaker programs (this is not a "dis" of Clemente which by all reports is an excellent academic program). One would think that school systems would want to work together to support students in need. But, I guess not. No administrator was harmed in the creation of the AAPS annual budget.
jns131
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
Clemente is a school of last resort. It is a school for those who cannot handle a regular classroom. Same thing for Stone School. AAPS has Clemente. Ypsi has COPE. Same thing. Only one uses public money and the other money from other sources. I can see COPE children blending with Clemente since they won't have anywhere else to go. As for Clemente? Needs to close and use Stone.
ypsilistener
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
Is Clemente allowed to accept expelled students? COPE was.
Michele Dziubinski
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 1:44 p.m.
Despite the lack of graduation data or the no homework policy, COPE provided a place for students who might of otherwise dropped out of school entirely. It sounds like closing this facility has further disenfranchised students who really need programs like this to have a chance to make it in society.
thinknwrite
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.
JRW (and others) - you may be confusing the "no homework" with a lack of any rigor or accountability. It's not that students weren't doing work or held to accountability, it's that they were not necessarily asked to do it at home where they may have little to no support. Or no home for that matter.
JRW
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.
They are not going to make it as long as they are allowed to do what they want and are not held to any standards or expectations (not doing homework, etc).
MyCommentNow
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 1:01 p.m.
I sincerely wish I could write glowing reviews on the quality of education at COPE recently. Unfortunately, as a former educator (of over one third of a century) who's spoken with teachers and school social workers from virtually every Washtenaw county district about the efficacy of COPE currently, I'm sad to say that the place was merely a holding facility for most. Lack of accountability was the culprit. COPE's stance was to mollify students on a temporary basis and then return them to the home district. Of course, this also amounts to lack of responsibility on the part of the home district. I specifically asked COPE teachers and the principal at COPE, Bob Coller, for data on success at the home district-- and, moreover, high school graduation rates-- for students who had been COPE students. I was told that no data was available, despite the claims of subsequent school success and graduation being the mission of COPE. Unbelievable but true. The "NO HOMEWORK" policy that COPE flaunted did NOTHING to help students prepare to successfully reenter their original schools. This was explained as an attempt to get kids to "like school"...... hmmmmm.... that it was too difficult to get kids to do homework! Same for parental involvement. Sad. Maybe it was time for this tired relic to cease "functioning".
KMHall
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 4:46 p.m.
..."parental involvement... Some of us feel that we have a moral responsibility to educate kids who have no functioning home life. Yes, it's expensive and requires a high ratio of teachers to kids. Perhaps it would save money to provide at-risk children and parents early (prenatal even) access to nutrition and health care so that they have more strength and support before getting to middle school.
tom swift jr.
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.
"I'm sad to say that the place was merely a holding facility for most. " Could you explain that statement? What does a "holding facility" look like? Did you spend any time in COPE's classrooms to observe how students were taught? "COPE's stance was to mollify students on a temporary basis and then return them to the home district." If you state this was their "stance", you're stating that this is a statement made by a member of the COPE staff or Board? Is that true? "The "NO HOMEWORK" policy that COPE flaunted did NOTHING to help students prepare to successfully reenter their original schools." "flaunted"? I'm not sure what you mean by that. My understanding is the COPE believed that many of the students sent had a difficult time, for a number of reasons, completing work at home, that additional support in terms of a certified teacher was necessary for them to understand the content area. This is much different than what you are describing. I also understand that COPE was willing and excited to work with ANY parent, but that "parental involvement" was not a requirement for a student's enrollment. Is this what you're referring to?
tom swift jr.
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 2:48 p.m.
The individual who wrote this comment has little knowledge of that program and has misrepresented the program by presenting information that is incomplete . Not every "third of a century" educator is qualified to evaluate a program based on a short conversation.
JRW
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
A lot of these facilities have noble mission statements but the reality is something else entirely. Thank you for writing an honest appraisal of this organization. There are other places for these students who have difficulties, as mentioned in the article. WISD does a good job out at High Point, and Roberto Clemente is a good place where students actually have to perform, do homework, etc., and even if it's merged with Stone, I'm sure the same standards will apply. Data for 58 COPE students should have been available.....no excuses. There is also no excuse not to enforce rules, such as doing homework, even if it's difficult. That's why these students are there, they have difficulties. Letting them off the hook because it's hard doesn't solve the problems they have. It only serves to "aid and abet" their issues. "If I don't want to do it, I don't have to" doesn't cut it. Real life is full of things we don't want to do, and guess what, we all have to do them. There has to be more discipline and higher standards expected of all students, even those at risk.
Floyd
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 12:29 p.m.
I believe the loss of this valuable program can be calculated in dollars. By abandoning this programmatic effort to help remediate the most marginal and damaged of students, we will simply set them up to fail as adults, and we will all pay for that failure, whether it be through the continued degradation of our community or the big tab for prison. Prison is many times more expensive than school, but our stupid preference seems to be to close schools and build prisons.
kalamityjane
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 12:26 p.m.
I'm really disappointed (although not shocked) to see the negative comments abounding. It makes me cringe to see such snobbery directed at a program that was trying to help at risk youth and seems to have been succeeding. I suppose all the naysayers were Honors graduates, the picture of health and the textbook persona of the white picket fence American Dream? Its called a dream for a reason, its not reality! As far as the comments saying maybe the parents should step up, maybe they have problems too, whether self inflicted or lsome type of disability themselves. I don't think "Dick and Jane" are COPE students. So as many said, I suppose you'd rather see these kids fail at a stage where they can be taught and grow up as adults that are either too mentalyl unstable or apathetic to care for themselves. A high school education costs less than life in prison or life on welfare.
MyCommentNow
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 3:42 p.m.
You're right, a "high school education costs less than life in prison or life on welfare" but unfortunately the COPE educational expectations were not geared toward this. Forget "Honors students" and "Dick and Jane", every student deserves the BEST, and COPE so sorrowfully has not been delivering. COPE students deserve far more than apathetic interest in their strengths. They have so much more potential than has been nurtured.
treetowncartel
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 12:16 p.m.
I see the I am better than thou crowd has stopped in to comment on the issue, good for you! Nate is a great guy and has saved many a soul through his efforts.
jj
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 11:24 a.m.
The loss of COPE to our students and our community can't be calculated in dollars and cents. These young students have needed the support, guidance and structure, and education when they have lost their way . Without COPE, these kids won't be falling through the cracks; they will be crashing and burning. I have worked with Bob, Nate, Mike and the team at COPE; you won't find a better group around to educate these kids. We have lost too many critical programs and services for young people in Washtenaw County. Every one of these students deserve the same level of caring and support as any other kid; they are just as important and deserve adults and teachers in the educational system and support service community who choose to (really want to) show up, every day, without fail, to be there. Please don't blame the kids or the families. Take that energy and turn it into outrage that we are turning our backs at a critical juncture in these kids lives. COPE has provided a second chance for these kids when no one else would. This closing is an enormous loss.
Lisa
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 11:14 a.m.
excuse me for the typos sad to read!
Lisa
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 11:13 a.m.
Unfortunately I do not believe that people understand the concept of COPE. Nate Reed a most fascinating teacher and person is phenomenal. The school is fro everyone people with brain injuries, teens at risk, social and emotionally impaired. I know my son would not be the man he has become without Nate and Bob. Ann Arbor Public Schools through all social and emotional and disabled into a group and label them. Cope labels no one. This is a sad day to read this. My son graduated at 17 with honors has gone on to college and they truly cared and have and had the ability to teach all. I thank you all Judge O'Brien for such a wonderful group of dedicated teachers . Thank you for all you that you did to help are families. I do not know if people understand the array of learning that goes on. I hope people will step forward and donate to keep the school going or fundraisers something. All that can help please help keep this school alive Take a walk through the school and see what it is about. We cannot let this one go if we do we will have a large group of teens in our community lost.How often do you see Police at COPE ? In our public schools I see 4-8 on a daily basis. Please people step up and do not let our youth down any further. Judge O'Brien thank you Nate thank you and Bob whom is no longer with us thank you. These teachers and staff gave 300 %!
Jim Osborn
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
I have a graduate degree from EMU and an undergraduate from the Univ of California system. But I know first-hand feeling lost while sitting in a calculus class while the professor teaches to the top 5% of the students at a fast pace, or being in a "weeder" freshman chemistry class. I felt lost at times. I also saw lost kids in high school and middle school, who most likely felt that the pace was wrong or the topic, or something. Once that happens, you lose interest. What is better, a different type of instruction, a trade school, or in a vacuum, a crime school?
tom swift jr.
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.
Lisa, Bob is still "with us".
Pickforddick
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 11:31 a.m.
Are you a teacher?
Pickforddick
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 11:06 a.m.
Save the tax payers money.........this was just money down the drain in my opinion
Barb
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 12:48 p.m.
Assume? Uh, no. Study some criminal justice and you learn that these types of schools are more important than building the prisons Michigan's so good at filling. This is tragic.
Pickforddick
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 11:46 a.m.
You sure assume a lot
Irislover
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 11:41 a.m.
So you'd rather spend the money on keeping these students locked up and receiving public assistance as adults? Personally, I'd rather put the money into programs like this that give kids a chance to achieve their potential. Education has to fit the needs of the students-- not everyone will thrive in a traditional program. In my eyes, a civilized society doesn't just throw people away before they're even adults.
Jim Osborn
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 10:53 a.m.
It had a ratio of 4-1/2 staff per students, rather high, but how high is the cost to society if any of these children are "lost" and end up elsewhere at taxpayer expense? Will the other public schools do an adequate job at educating these remaining almost 60 students? Are we kicking the can down the road?
Jack
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
BS3, are you implying that the students should be punished for their parents negligence?
JMA2Y
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 5:12 p.m.
I count as listed, 7 teachers for 58 students, leaving 8 plus students per teacher, but that would depend on how many kids per each grade. The rest of the staff were not teachers.
The Black Stallion3
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 11 a.m.
Maybe their parents could step in and help them.....just a thought
The Black Stallion3
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 10:52 a.m.
All I can say is....It's about time.
cj
Thu, Jun 7, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
you are so wrong did you even go there ????
Jack
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
Why?