Mark Maynard | Chapelle Community School

An update on Ypsi public schools, and a reminder to vote on Tuesday

By Mark | November 6, 2011

As there’s an Ypsi School Board election on Monday, I thought that this might be a good time to check in with our friend Maria Cotera. As you may recall, Maria authored a series of posts on this site, starting in January of last year, on the subject of Ypsilanti’s public schools, and the threats […]

Posted in Education, Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Also tagged Andy Fanta, Chapelle Elementary, Eric Temple, Estabrook, Joe Guillen, Kira Berman, Linda Horne, Maria Cotera, neighborhood schools, school closings, school closure, school enrollment, taking back our schools, Ypsi Public School District, Ypsilanti Public School Alliance, Ypsilanti Public Schools, Ypsilanti School Board | 28 Comments

Ypsi School Closings, part IV

By Mark | March 16, 2010

The following is submitted by my friends Maria Cotera and Jason Wright, whose daughter Penelope attends Chapelle Elementary: Update on School closings in Ypsi. It has been a few weeks since our last post, and I’m afraid we haven’t got any good news. We’ve been to board meetings, public forums, and met individually with various […]

Posted in Education, Ypsilanti | Also tagged Andy Fanta, defunding public schools, Jason Wright, Kira Berman, Maria Cotera, save Chapelle, school board, school budget, school closure, taking back our schools | 45 Comments

Ypsi School Closings, part III

By Mark | February 14, 2010

After my last post on this subject, I had a few more questions. Following are the answers from Maria Cotera and Jason Wright, leaders of the newly-formed Ypsilanti Public Schools Alliance. MARK: Have you seen any indication from the teachers that they might be receptive to a pay cut? I’ve yet to confirm this, but […]

Posted in Education, Ypsilanti | Also tagged Ardis Elementary, Chapelle Elementary, charter schools, class size, George Elementary, Jason Wright, launching a charter school, layoffs, Maria Cotera, pay cuts, public education, save Chapelle, schools of choice, student teacher ratios, teacher pay, teachers union, YPSA, Ypsi Public School District, Ypsilanti Public School Alliance | 36 Comments

Ypsi school closings, part II

By Mark | February 10, 2010

Our conversation last week on the very real possibility that more Ypsilanti public schools may close was so fruitful, that I thought the subject warranted another thread. Here, to get the ball rolling, is a quick update on the situation from my friend Maria Cotera, whose daughter attends Chapelle elementary, one of the schools most […]

Posted in Education, Ypsilanti | Also tagged Ardis Elementary, board of education, Chapelle Elementary, charter schools, John Fulton, labor negotiations, launching a charter school, Maria Cotera, Mayor Schreiber, public education, Rachel Blistein, save Chapelle, school board, school budget, school closure, school enrollment, taking back our schools, teachers union, the future of Ypsilanti, YPSA, Ypsilanti Public School Alliance | 26 Comments

School closings in Ypsilanti, is it too late to stop them?

By Mark | January 26, 2010

My friends Jason and Maria have a daughter that goes to Chapelle Elementary. Maria and I have been exchanging emails the past few days on the prospect of Chapelle and other neighborhood schools in Ypsi closing due to budget issues and demographic changes. Here, with her approval, is the exchange, in hopes that some of […]