We hope you'll review this week's District Update filled with news and notes from across the Walled Lake Consolidated School District. Stay up to date with the district by visiting www.wlcsd.org and connecting with the district on social media.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

• September 5: Board of Education regular meeting
  
• September 6: WLC/WLN Salute to Service Football Game
• September 9: HS Curriculum night
• September 13: WLN Homecoming game, 7 p.m.
• September 23: PTSA Council meeting, Keith Elementary, 7 p.m.
• September 27: WLC Homecoming game, 7 p.m.
• October 1: Special Services PAC Meeting at Geisler MS - Support at All Levels
• October 3: No school for students or staff
• October 4: WLW Homecoming game, 7 p.m.
• October 9: PSAT/NMSQT Testing (juniors)
• October 10: SAT Testing (seniors only)
• October 10: Board of Education regular meeting
• October 16-17: Testing Make-up Days

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is focused on building on its successes over the past decade and set a new course for our district based on the context of the current academic, social, emotional, and economic environment of the community we serve.

Share your voice by completing a short survey that will assist in creating our next strategic plan. The survey will close on Wednesday, September 25.

Walled Lake Northern senior Maddy Birchmeier will take over our Instagram story on Friday, September 13, to give you a student perspective of the Friday of homecoming and the homecoming football game.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram so you don't miss out on all the fun!

Former Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ Director of Operations, Bill Chatfield, received the Gus Kihlstrand Service Award for his dedication to the Michigan education community for over 30 years.

Chatfield served as the district’s director of operations for 23 years. During his tenure in Walled Lake, Chatfield managed district facilities and operations, played an integral role in improvements through four bonds, and oversaw the construction of four brand new state-of-the-art school facilities. Chatfield recently started a new role in August 2024 as the executive director of auxiliary services, maintenance, and facility operations at Oakland Schools.

"I am profoundly grateful for the 23 years of dedicated service Bill Chatfield has given to our District,” said Dr. Michael Lonze, Superintendent of School. “His unwavering commitment to maintaining safe, clean, and state-of-the-art learning environments has played a critical role in ensuring our students and staff have the spaces they need to thrive and grow. His work behind the scenes has been nothing short of exceptional, and we are deeply appreciative of his contributions to our school community."

“Bill’s tireless work ethic, compassionate nature, exceptional service, and dedication to Michigan public schools makes him a standout in the educational community,” said SET SEG Risk Control Consultant Tony Spisak, who recommend Chatfield for this award.

The Gus Kihlstrand Service Award was created in 2019 and named after a valued, long-tenured member of the SET SEG organization, and honors the legacy of public school personnel who exemplify exceptional hard work and commitment to their district and community.

All calendars updated to include a black and white version on page 2.

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is asking the community to replace its current operating millage with an 18 mill non-homestead millage that represents roughly $31 million and a 3.6297 mill hold harmless that represents approximately $2 million of the district’s budget. The total of $33 million accounts for 18 percent of the district’s $187 million revenue budget.

Every District in the state is expected to levy, with voter approval, 18 mills on all non-homestead properties in order to receive full state funding under Proposal A. The 3 mill "Headlee cushion" will allow the district to collect the full 18 mills over the duration of the operating millage. The proposal will not increase property taxes on any primary residence property that is within Walled Lake Consolidated Schools boundaries. Since the approval of Proposal A in 1994, the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ community has overwhelmingly supported the operating millage, most recently in 2014.

If the November 5, 2024 proposal is not approved, the school district will lose more than $33 million in operating revenue every year and the state will not make up the shortfall.

More information about the 2024 Operating Millage Replacement can be found at www.wlcsd.org/elections.

During the 2024-25 school year, all Michigan public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 will have access to free breakfast and free lunch everyday through the "Healthy School Meals for All" program. This includes a meat/meat alternative, grain, fruit/vegetable and milk. A la carte items will be available for purchase.

Families are still encouraged to complete the Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application in Skyward to help secure additional funding for the District including Title I funding. By completing the form, eligible families may also receive access to other benefit programs including reduced registration fees for standardized testing, discounted college application fees, pay to participate, discounted home internet access, and more.

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools has partnered with GoFan for digital ticketing starting this spring for all home athletic events.

Fans can purchase tickets online through each schools’ GoFan page or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. All major credit cards, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, will be accepted.

Fans are encouraged to buy tickets online before arriving at the event. For your convenience, signage will be set up at the venue to help fans make an online purchase quickly and easily.

As the district launches its new partnership with GoFan, cash payments will be accepted as well throughout the remainder of the spring athletic season. No cash options will be available starting in the Fall of 2024.

To purchase tickets, please visit each schools’ GoFan page:

• Walled Lake Central: https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10112
• Walled Lake Northern: https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10113
• Walled Lake Western: https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10114

Preschool registration is now open for the 2024-25 school year. To register, please visit the preschool website. We invite your child to come grow with us!

Please complete the following form in order to be considered for the Graduate Spotlight section of the WLCSD quarterly Learning newsletter. The nominated student needs to be a 2016 graduate or before. Please contact pamelacole@wlcsd.org with any questions.

Our mission, in partnership with parents and the community, is to become the best educational system in America so all students demonstrate they are caring, responsible, and knowledgeable citizens.

Email: danieldurkin@wlcsd.org
Website: www.wlcsd.org
Location: 850 Ladd Road, Walled Lake, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 956-2000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wlcsd/
Twitter: @WalledLkSchools