District Update
A weekly update from Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Walled Lake Consolidated School District Update: August 29, 2024
Important Reminders for Families đź“…
- August 30: No School for Students or Staff
- September 2: Labor Day - No School for Students or Staff
- September 5: Board of Education Regular Meeting
- September 6: WLC/WLN Salute to Service Football Game
Visit www.wlcsd.org/calendar for a complete list of events with details.
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.
As we focus on the future of our district in creating a new strategic plan, we value the input of all of our stakeholders. We are working with G&D Associates to gather perspectives from our community to inform the next strategic plan. Opportunities will include:
- A brief community survey aimed at identifying key themes for in-depth focus group discussions.
- Focus groups and community forums involving students, families, staff, community members, and local partners.
- Numerous opportunities for feedback throughout the entire process.
Share your voice by completing a short survey that will assist in creating our next strategic plan. The survey opens on Wednesday, September 4, and will close on Wednesday, September 25.
More information about strategic planning can be found at www.wlcsd.org/strategic-plan.
The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ Board of Education approved seeking a replacement of the district’s operating millage in the upcoming November election during its August 8, 2024 special meeting.
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.
“Our community has always been incredibly supportive of our schools, and the upcoming operating millage replacement is critical to maintaining the high-quality education that Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is known for,” said Dr. Michael Lonze, Superintendent of Schools. “Approval of this proposal ensures that we can continue to provide our students with the resources and support they need to succeed."
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.
The three primary uses for revenue collected through the operating millage are operating expenses, facility maintenance and staff compensation.
More information about the 2024 Operating Millage Replacement can be found at www.wlcsd.org/elections.
Visit our Back-to-School Hub to make the 2024-25 school year the best one yet!
As you prepare for the start of the 2024-25 school year on August 26, make sure to visit our Back To School Hub! There you can find a one stop shop for everything you and your family will need to get ready for the first day of school!
Food Service Update - Free Meals in 2024-25
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.
District partners with GoFan as digital ticket partner for all athletic events
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
Graduate Spotlight Nomination
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.
WLCSD Stormwater Management
FFE News and Notes
Hospitality House
Connect with Us!
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