SPORTS

Are rising sports costs costing kids? See Page 1-B

INSIDE

More fireworks legal in Michigan this holiday See Page 4-A

INSIDE

Area crime briefs See Page 7-B

The
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VOL. 18, NO. 26 THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2012 Weave the Web:
Make sure to click on www.heritage.com around the clock for the most in-depth coverage. See most popular stories....Police searching for hit-and-run driver.

Education board keeps 26 jobs local

By Danny Shaw
Heritage Media

An Ypsilanti Public Schools Board of Education meeting that started with angry, raised voices ended with hugs and tears of joy Tuesday evening. The 26 custodial jobs that were the chopping block have been taken off the bargaining table and wont be part of the districts layoffs. The positions were going to

be replaced with a private custodial company. I packed my stuff and its in my trunk because I heard if the Board voted for the privatization, I wouldnt have a job to go to tomorrow, said Cheryl Wysocki, custodian at Adams STEM Academy. Its a relief. We can brush ourselves off and go back to work to do what we are paid to do. The decision was brought about after several mem-

bers of the custodial staff and teachers spoke in front of the Board about what types of community losses would come along with the cuts. If we make this choice, as these good folks disperse back into our community

Check out our video:

Ann Arbor Relay for Life Weekly police blotter

Ypsilanti Support Staff Association President Kevin Fortune, left, and MEA Uniserv Director Donnie Reeves, right, picket against privatization of the custodial servicPLEASE SEE EDUCATION/7-A es outside Ypsilanti High School Tuesday.

Christopher Currie was found safely after being missing for four days.

Willow Run Schools considers closing high school

By Rachelle Marshall
Special Writer

Click on the jobs tab on the home page of our h e i t go . c o m website ror a g edirectly to http://jobs.heritage.com.

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Become an Ypsilanti Courier follower. Click on the Twitter tab on the home page of our website or go directly to http://twitter.com/ HeritageNews.

Command force staff to remain intact

According to Willow Runs amended Deficit Elimination Plan, closing the high school in 2013-2014 is one way the district can reach a positive general fund balance and satisfy state requirements. That was the strategy that we talked about in the Finance Committee meeting, Willow Run was since June 16 is an indescribAnn Arbor, who were getting ready By Ben Baird Community Schools Heritage Media able feeling. to make more flyers they had been Consultant Bert Emerson It feels like such a blessing, she passing out. said. Not a real plan to Christopher Currie, 13, returned said. It feels great. I am so elated When her church learned her son take the district forward, home to his family June 19 after he thats hes back and safe. was missing, within minutes conbut rather to satisfy the had been missing four days, and his He had been over at a friends gregation members were creating states requirement that mother attributes his return to an house since June 16 without her flyers and helping to organize an we show them a plan that incredible response from the comknowledge. effort to find her son. nominally does solve the munity. She learned hed been located just It was truly a community comproblem. Ieeia Currie said having her son as she was meeting members of her Emerson said that closPLEASE SEE MISSING/3-A back after not knowing where he church, Second Baptist Church in ing the high school is one of countless ideas that school board members are considering, as well as consolidation of Willow Run and Ypsilanti Public School Districts. cult issues in it; but I think more aggressive cuts to the We have a lot of citizens Since the question of conthat we achieved some of current command unit, the that say theyre doing a solidation must be approved the goals long term and officers may have followed great job, but thats because by public ballots in an electhrough with retirements we have experienced short term that we needed tion, Willow Run and YPS to, Council member Peter this year. officers making sure that must present separate DEPs, Murdock said. In which case we would things are done right. Schreiber said the nego- which assume that consoliYpsilantis seven COAM lose all of their experiBy Rachelle Marshall dation is not an option. members combine for a ence, Schreiber said. One tiation process was tough Special Writer Willow Run school board and required many emails total payroll of $669,865 and of our top priorities is to members scheduled a speare an average 45.5 years have a safe city and I think between city staff and the The nucleus of cial budget hearing meeting everybody on council felt command officers. of age with an average 19.9 the Ypsilanti Police years of service, accordthat we couldnt do that if The tentative settlement for 6:30 p.m June 28 at the Departments command ing to actuarial data from we lost all of our command agreement will be in effect High School Forum Room. staff will remain intact, Board members approved Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & staff. from July 1, 2012 to June Mayor Paul Schreiber said, the amended DEP on June COAM members direct 30, 2014. Co., available online in the after city council members 21,by a vote of 5-0. Trustees council packet at cityofypsi- and supervise other police Murdock said that the unanimously authorized Brenda Meadows and Bobby lanti.com. units to enforce proper contract would allow the the Command Officers Several command staff policies and procedures, police department to main- Stevens were absent, along Association of Michigans with Superintendent Laura Schreiber said. tain stability, while bringmembers rescinded their collective bargaining conLisiscki, who was attending retirements after giving Thats one of the ing significant benefits to tract, on June 19. Michigan Association of official notice to the city reasons why, as a city, we the city. This contract was very earlier in the year. have very few citizen comdifficult, it had some diffiplaints, Schreiber said. If city staff pushed for PLEASE SEE SCHOOL/7-A PLEASE SEE CONTRACT/3-A

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If you live in the greater Ypsilanti area and are interested in writing about local events, news and views or even your own interests and hobbies, please contact Tanya Wildt at twildt@heritage.com

Missing 13-year-old found safe

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Council authorizes police bargaining contract

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INDEX
Editorial Calendar Sports Page 6-A Page 7-B Page 1-B

Death Notices Page 12-A

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