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Romulus adult education program reports strong growth, asks for staffing and highlights grant support
Summary
Wendy Grish told the Romulus Board on March 23 that Romulus Adult Education has grown to 773 students (goal 800), ranks third in Region 10 for measurable skill gains, is fully grant-funded, and will seek additional adult education instructors; a 107 innovation grant supports staff through mid-2028.
Wendy Grish, supervisor of Romulus Adult Education, told the Romulus Board of Education on March 23 that the program has grown to 773 students this year and is third-largest in Region 10 for measurable skill gains.
Grish said the program’s measurable skill gains—credited when students earn a diploma or a GED subtest, or improve on post-test scores—have risen steadily since she took the role in November 2022. "Right now, we are third largest in our whole Region 10," Grish said, and the program’s graduation target for the year is 200 students.
The presentation highlighted operational pressures: several part-time teachers are carrying far larger caseloads than typical, and Grish asked the board to consider additional adult ed teachers to meet demand. She emphasized that adult ed operations are "100% grant-funded" and do not draw from the district’s general fund.
Grish described an innovation award—the so-called 107 grant—that funded recruitment of a new staff member and may be extended through June 2028. "We were lucky enough to get Kristen through what they call the 107 grant," she said, referring to recruitment and retention activities supported by the award.
Kristen Chavez, introduced by Grish as the program’s recruitment and retention specialist, gave personal testimony about enrolling as a student and later joining the program’s staff. "My life has changed so much since meeting them," Chavez said, and she described plans to present at a spring professional-development event in 2026.
Board members praised the program’s outreach and outcomes and asked about partnerships such as Michigan Reconnect, a state program offering tuition support for Michiganders 25 and older. Chair thanked Grish for bringing staff to the meeting and said the program’s growth made it a district priority.
The presentation concluded with logistics and an invitation to the Romulus adult ed graduation on May 29. No formal board action was required; the board acknowledged the report and moved on to other business.
