[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6538104,"mediaKeyId","3389103-4b82f76fe8ab85e7b9a2b5a81408f1e8","parentId",3389103,"title","Middle school outlines NWEA-driven instructional plan, AOT and MTSS steps to boost individual growth","audioSeconds",798,"startMs",2194000,"endMs",2992000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3389103-4b82f76fe8ab85e7b9a2b5a81408f1e8&start=2194&end=2992","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3389103-4b82f76fe8ab85e7b9a2b5a81408f1e8/thumbnail_2194000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6538104/Michigan/Middle-school-outlines-NWEA-driven-instructional-plan-AOT-and-MTSS-steps-to-boost-individual-growth","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6538104-dfe85392a69d8706555cab1f7204e73b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776318498&Signature=gbXFkdfXdUIiwyWKl61twrfw-h3Q-mQOCbcmR8NDCLNkAo73U9xm~I3VDpUQIPcFxnSANYFIsA-81C6pYWALu8EmXPXLAYYqsjgKPbO-sGVA9g18fL3WSiacXhfJnGKZxX4otdGhuttqDvYKSmdHh3PCVIUdk-luKRwFYhIN40cmE9OzlWqShj0K-sk-ssW1wVFKCj7NabgXjrkrLHtGjrPZPkVpO4IqUhosfmKORtMWdg9EGkDS5txHY3xlPokGygn10k1-2nIPTXLgwXG4izAzBwwgwfW4W22oRSdmvOpN24VgZmrncOjrdLtznwfQGOSxhL5djOSvZdoGDGkEhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williamston Community Schools","date","2025-05-20T11:27:11Z","article","Williamston Middle School administrators presented an education update on May 19 detailing a data-driven instructional process using NWEA benchmark assessments, professional learning communities (PLCs), targeted small-group interventions (AOT) and a revamped MTSS process to help students reach individualized growth targets by June 2026.

Administrators said teachers analyze NWEA results three times a year (fall, winter, spring) using the Achievement Status and Growth report to identify which students met projected growth. Teachers then examine student profile reports to find subskill gaps and select differentiated instructional strategies (for example, annotated notes, intentional vocabulary instruction) in departmental and grade-level PLCs. Where classroom strategies alone are insufficient, students are assigned to targeted small-group instruction during AOT (Academic Opportunity Time), morning tutoring funded partly with 2-3g (23g) dollars and lit/math labs.

AOT occurs weekly (Thursdays between fifth and sixth hour); students sign up in advance for a teacher on their schedule and rotate to that AOT location. The program also includes SEL-focused sessions and “frozen AOT” twice a month for social-emotional learning. Administrators described AOT as intentional, pre-planned time where teachers prepare small-group lessons and students sign up in advance rather than drop-in support.

Administrators said they held two staff PD/data-dive sessions (November and February), engaged Jared from the ISD to support differentiated instruction, and meet monthly as a leadership team to align classroom observation, intervention results and PD planning. Spring NWEA testing was nearly complete at the time of the report; math data were mostly in and reading data were still being finalized.

Next steps include further examination of assessments for higher-order thinking and text-based responses, aligning instruction to identified skill sets (SCCs) across content areas, and continuing PD in August that builds on this year’s data work.

Board members praised the work and asked a few clarifying procedural questions; administrators said the work will continue and be refined for next year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williamston Board Of Education - Regular Meeting - 5/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Williamston Middle School overviewed a multi-step plan using NWEA assessments, PLCs, targeted AOT sessions, labs and MTSS to identify students not meeting projected growth and provide differentiated supports.","taxTitle","Williamston Community Schools, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",60285,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6538108,"District updates bus rules; adds handbook reference and on-site flowchart for behavior incidents",308,1202000,1510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3389103-4b82f76fe8ab85e7b9a2b5a81408f1e8&start=1202&end=1510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3389103-4b82f76fe8ab85e7b9a2b5a81408f1e8/thumbnail_1202000.jpg","/articles/6538108/Michigan/District-updates-bus-rules-adds-handbook-reference-and-on-site-flowchart-for-behavior-incidents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6538108-40d838508af491df444fc992d4de6ae5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776318498&Signature=mDVdSO--TVtmBYefj3ETvneAouS4P-YVUtXAwiiB3m-MmjzwX-kRv28~c0db2-Fb-LtZnZZQK54qajRc8ULrnO-Zq2xslBPt9QU48jc0yEDyvltm080RJPL5ZLbIBJRzFcI8TbpPybmMa9hJttt9IB6qJvWICTxMNuAxjtdAumKbHY0QcV4EHtz-S3OCMCatnJZhihi~q0tviwPLFsNqRixBB5v066GdRuSBOMRWR0bG0k1vXYNTtDAhbEGJsSXkjSb1TA82NrI5bh5NzMRsFDCuT3R4ZBbS6kAiFHY01oVh8m6Jio0yiNRFtsL027TwivQgNFWfXes-0qHTGxYcTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamston Community Schools presented an updated transportation rules form and procedures to the board on May 19 that add explicit reference to the student handbook and code of conduct for on-bus behavior, clarify consequence steps for severe disruptions and introduce a flowchart to guide staff response to incidents.

District transportation staff said the revisions are largely language cleanup and formatting but include a key change: the bus rules and the parent-student signature form will state that school handbook and code-of-conduct policies apply on the bus. Consequences are clarified in a progressive sequence: verbal warning, written warning, three days off the bus, a 10-day suspension for more severe or repeated violations and a process to take immediate action for severe disruptions without prior notice when safety requires it.

Staff also described a newly developed flowchart created after several January incidents involving middle-school students. The flowchart is intended to help transportation staff and building administrators decide whether an incident should be handled as a transportation disciplinary matter (Pam and transportation staff to address) or as a school disciplinary matter initiated by principals. Staff indicated they modeled the district language on neighboring districts’ policies (Hazlett, DeWitt, Grand Ledge, Mason) and that similar consequence structures are common in the region.

Administrators said they plan to distribute the form for electronic signature through PowerSchool as part of the annual enrollment packet, so parents and students will acknowledge the rules even if a student is a walker, participates in athletics, field trips or career-center programs.

Board members asked whether all parents currently sign the form; staff said the intent is to include electronic signature at enrollment but they were not certain whether every parent now signs it. The board placed the updated rules on the consent/action calendar for approval as part of transportation and handbook updates.","Williamston staff presented revisions to transportation rules and the parent/student bus form to explicitly reference the school handbook and code of conduct, add clearer consequences for severe disruptions, and introduce a flowchart to clarify whether incidents are transportation or school discipline matters.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6538113,"Williamston Middle School handbook: arrival time changed, stricter cell-phone rules and new Title IX contact",571,1487000,2058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3389103-4b82f76fe8ab85e7b9a2b5a81408f1e8&start=1487&end=2058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3389103-4b82f76fe8ab85e7b9a2b5a81408f1e8/thumbnail_1487000.jpg","/articles/6538113/Michigan/Williamston-Middle-School-handbook-arrival-time-changed-stricter-cell-phone-rules-and-new-Title-IX-contact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6538113-8c01b6c7e7344ed7c0244c8edd3b2f0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776318498&Signature=f7lSaeKSDIiPrce6FQcJx~TXgobCx9x1QT1gHSBSHZabx1SEUXQ-NPFCvnW51qFg4H6qQ9EWdSam~lVda5gVEu4XT5bVMRaj4i~C9P3c7HV2V~tjC7klL7NEeZWOzE3bEouk6aHbPsJOjFkyysQHWTtJLBqJjeV20pIuHX4sCro9MTcJ0et2FGxO1QtH2qDoodzd-3911MZOHo7NlSGv6MU3CR386tw4lYa830JdGPlmUgqtDIWbett65R15NTSn9Cx3h7Xu-cK7fvEn0TE-lGGCh36zM1tM4vfYNan~7d02e3p0w-e-p6~gLGsujTkz9UYSJKv6ZTej5SXswCrH8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamston Community Schools administrators presented recommended revisions to the Williamston Middle School student handbook for 2025–26 at the May 19 board meeting, including changes to arrival/departure procedures, expanded non-discrimination language and a stricter cell-phone policy.

The handbook draft moves the official student arrival time from 7:45 a.m. to 7:50 a.m., a change administrators said is intended to improve safety by aligning adult supervision to student arrival and allowing 30 minutes before first hour for students to go to lockers and prepare for class. Early-departure procedures were revised so parents may call or email the office to request a student release; students are then released curbside after office staff confirm the adult at pick-up and the district logs time-out and reason.

Administrators proposed a more restrictive cell-phone policy for the coming year: personal electronic devices will not be permitted during school hours, and the prohibition will extend to hallways, cafeteria (including lunch and recess) and recess. The district had allowed phones at lunch during the current year; administrators said observational data showed that removing phones improved student interaction, reduced significant code-of-conduct incidents tied to phones, and increased physical activity at recess. Staff described the change as designed to reduce opportunities for “significant occurrences” that were documented this year.

Other handbook changes presented include adding a Title IX coordinator to the contact information, clarifying honor roll procedures at the middle school, updating grade-reporting links and PowerSchool procedures for absence reporting, and enhancements to automated attendance notifications (including evening alerts and per-hour absence/tardy notices). Arrival logistics for early arrivals remain: students report to the cafeteria and a small number (estimated 10–15 students per day) typically arrive before 8:00 a.m.

Administrators also described the district’s log process for early departures and returns; the office records student name, time out/in, reason and the person picking up to maintain an attendance audit trail.

Board members asked operational questions — how many students arrive early, whether bathroom access in new softball facilities would be available during the school day (administrators said no) — and discussed community reaction to the cell-phone change. Administrators acknowledged not every parent will agree but said consistent practice and communication are essential to implementation.

The proposed middle school handbook changes were placed on the agenda for approval consistent with other elementary handbook approvals the board took later in the meeting.","The board reviewed and recommended changes to the Williamston Middle School handbook for 2025–26, including a 07:50 arrival time, updated early-departure curbside procedures, prohibition of personal electronic devices during school hours, and addition of a Title IX coordinator contact.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6538118,"Williamston Board approves bond-funded construction, furniture purchases and personnel hires",3768,0,3768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3389103-4b82f76fe8ab85e7b9a2b5a81408f1e8&start=0&end=3768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3389103-4b82f76fe8ab85e7b9a2b5a81408f1e8/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6538118/Michigan/Williamston-Board-approves-bond-funded-construction-furniture-purchases-and-personnel-hires","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6538118-7e14072ca7c4db5f50b80b82e252015e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776318498&Signature=F2cPyIt9DELcgVAPx9XlLIBKWYFt2Y3eUywsHt5ucc1IMb0nkmpJA~0HG1EFpTlfoxmbo-phsQtgGXgEiglGDXBpRxnsTLp9GOB0-9j~h1L5AsmckMTAaydzhrOkIE7e2zmOhXXmbh~Yupzq8gIQyMdt5Tp0sEPhvMiYuLNUNf~NuKE4EIzaHFrAi0RNBbihbifgZs9d6~oByn6E4auARo~2bK~kDDmfKoaA1oPQVJcirVfAhIreX~Wx87RL6LylJNQamd80jyLCGJS1SvvONm8KCHmr~te4Z8u~L7v6NV5jjQFAxwsgIDLnaOufsIrWQ~JZXKmF-A1Iv0SwWvJXAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williamston Community Schools Board of Education on May 19 approved multiple motions covering bond-funded construction work, contracts for material testing, classroom furniture purchases and routine personnel hires.

The board unanimously approved a contract with SME for construction material testing related to the softball complex and tennis courts not to exceed $42,500, accepted recommended contractors for the softball complex with a cost not to exceed $1,782,134 funded by the 2024 bond, and approved purchases of high school furniture from KI and Wiser totaling up to $397,414.47 and $288,343.24 (plus 20% for freight/installation), respectively. The board also approved handbooks and several board policy updates and confirmed district representatives for the upcoming intermediate school district (ISD) election.

The votes were taken as separate action items rather than bundled; most actions passed on roll call or unanimous voice votes. The board designated Sarah Bellinger as its voting representative to the ISD electoral body and Heather Gorslein as alternate, and directed its representative to cast first-ballot votes for Michael Flowers, Aaron Shore and Joel Gehring for the open ISD seats. The board also passed a resolution expressing support for the ISD general fund budget.

Several routine personnel actions were approved. The board approved hiring Marina Ryan for an unspecified position beginning the 2025–26 school year and approved Corinne Byrd for an ELA teaching position at Williamston Middle School for 2025–26 after multiple interview rounds and positive reference checks. The board appointed Deb (last name not specified in the record) to serve as secretary for the meeting.

Other consent and administrative items approved included minutes from the May 5 regular meeting, approval of Discovery and Explorer elementary handbooks for 2025–26, and multiple board policy revisions and rewrites related to membership, student records (FERPA), financial procedures and purchasing.

Votes at a glance
- Hire: Marina Ryan — motion made and approved by voice vote; outcome: approved.
- Hire: Corinne Byrd — motion made and approved by voice vote; outcome: approved.
- Appointment: Deb as meeting secretary — approved by voice.
- Construction material testing (SME) — motion: contract to SME to conduct construction material testing for the softball field complex and tennis courts, cost not to exceed $42,500, funding from 2024 bond; mover/second recorded; roll call recorded as all yes; outcome: approved.
- Softball complex contractors — motion: contract with recommended vendors as detailed by Christman Company, cost not to exceed $1,782,134, funding from 2024 bond; outcome: approved.
- High school furniture purchases — KI: up to $397,414.47 (including freight/assembly); Wiser: up to $288,343.24 plus 20% for freight/assembly/installation; outcome: approved.
- ISD election representatives and first-ballot instructions — Sarah Bellinger (representative), Heather Gorslein (alternate); directed to vote for Michael Flowers, Aaron Shore and Joel Gehring; outcome: approved.
- ISD general fund budget — board resolution expressing support; outcome: approved.
- Discovery Elementary and Explorer handbooks 2025–26 — approved.
- Board policy revisions and rewrites (multiple finance and student-record policies) — approved.

The board took public and staff presentations earlier in the meeting (celebrations, superintendent report and updates on bond projects) before moving to these action items. Several board members noted the long-awaited nature of the softball project and asked questions about placement, bathrooms and supervision; the board confirmed outside restrooms at the softball site will not be open for general student use during the school day.

The board adjourned after routine board reports and scheduling notes.","At its May 19 meeting the Williamston Community Schools Board approved construction and testing contracts for bond projects, purchased high-school furniture, adopted handbooks and policies, designated ISD election representatives and approved several hires.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Middle school outlines NWEA-driven instructional plan, AOT and MTSS steps to boost individual growth

District updates bus rules; adds handbook reference and on-site flowchart for behavior incidents

Williamston Middle School handbook: arrival time changed, stricter cell-phone rules and new Title IX contact

Williamston Board approves bond-funded construction, furniture purchases and personnel hires