RETIREMENT
As a result of new legislation, a significant number of staff have elected to retire as of the end of this school year. One of those retiring is the Principal of West Bloomfield High School, Bob Pyles. We will miss him in his full time capacity at the high school.
We are fortunate to have the opportunity to reconfigure how services will be delivered at West Bloomfield High School. Please join us in congratulating Tom Shelton and Blake Prewitt who will serve as Co-Principals next year. This gives us the opportunity to break large high school groups into smaller units where the Co-Principals will be responsible for two grades each. They will follow these families through their four years at West Bloomfield High School.
Also retiring are Assistant Principal David Pryor and Athletic Director DeWayne Jones. We wish them well in their new endeavors.
In an attempt to reduce administrative positions we will be combining duties and creating a new position of Assistant Principal/Athletic Director. In an attempt to provide additional support and coverage in the high School, Dewayne Jones and Bob Pyles may serve in a part-time capacity for a smooth transition to help with staff and students.
As a result of Tom Shelton going to the high school, the principalship at Roosevelt Elementary will be posted. Another person to whom an offer has been made is Jeremey Whan, Principal of Scotch Elementary School. Jeremey has been offered a principalship in the Troy School District. The Troy Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, June 15, and if approved, Jeremey has indicated that he will accept the position. We will do a search to find experienced administrators who are the right fit for both Roosevelt & Scotch Elementaries.
As of today we are losing approximately 50 teachers. We will be busy interviewing and trying to recall as many of those teachers as possible to retain the best and brightest in the classrooms for our children, as deemed by student enrollment.
All positions will be posted immediately and interviews will begin the week of June 21.
WALKING ASSIGNMENTS
We will begin walking distances this fall. No one wants to give up services that we’ve enjoyed. Unfortunately this is one whose time has come. All other school districts around us already have walking distances ranging from .7 – 1.5 miles. Ours will be a ONE MILE radius, WHERE APPROPRIATE. Students will NOT be asked to cross busy streets without crossing guards as safety is our #1 priority.
A letter will be sent this month to each parent affected. We are sending these out early so that you can make arrangements with neighbors and friends for “walking pools” and practice walking with your children.
This process was developed by a Safety Committee consisting of a team of transportation experts including WBSD Transportation Supervisor Lynne Robertson, an independent Traffic Safety Consultant, and the West Bloomfield, Keego Harbor and Orchard Lake Police Departments.
GRADUATION
There was a wonderful ceremony on Sunday, June 6 at Compuware Arena, as we witnessed the Class of 2010 graduate from West Bloomfield High School. This was the first time that all of the principals have taken part in the exercises and celebration, and several of them commented on how much they enjoyed it. In particular, the elementary principals who have followed many of these students through as many as13 years of education here in West Bloomfield, were affected in an emotional way. Thank you also to all of the parents who supported us at graduation and helped out at the Senior All Night Party that evening. The entire event was considered very successful.
KIDS IN CHARGE
The Kids in Charge program has come to a conclusion for another year in our elementary buildings. We want to thank Lisa Kaplan who headed this program, and all of our volunteers who help to keep our students drug and alcohol free. Lisa and her dedicated staff are already preparing for next year.
NEGOTIATIONS
For more info related to negotiations we continue to update our website under Decisions About Our Future. Please see our most recent responses that may change daily.
