Public school district will open new building in January

A former charter school on Hanley has been purchased by the Hamtramck Public School District.

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck Public Schools’ purchase of a former charter school building has finally gone through.
The district had hoped to open the school this fall, but negotiations over the sale hit a snag, said Superintendent Tom Niczay.
“Certain terms and conditions in the purchase agreement could not be fulfilled,” Niczay said in a press release issued last week.
At the recent monthly school board meeting, he said the purchase was finalized. The district bought the building that had housed the Academy of International Studies, located on Hanley.
Included in the $3 million purchase is another building next door to the school and a parking lot.
Some 150 former students at the charter school have enrolled in the public school district. The charter school abruptly closed last summer after Central Michigan University cut its sponsorship ties.
The building will now reopen under the control of the school district on Jan. 29. It will serve students in kindergarten through 8th grade.
“The families that had children attending classes in that building before it lost its charter and was closed will have the first opportunity to return,” said Niczay in a press release.
The district will have to spend an additional $1 million in furniture and educational material.
Also, 18 teachers will be hired at a cost of $1.3 million, which includes the cost of benefits.
There is no name for the school yet, and the district is asking for suggestions from the public, school employees and students.
“We are very excited about this acquisition and we are asking for suggestions for the naming of the school. As members of the community, the District would appreciate input on this matter,” Niczay said.
Have a good name to suggest?
You can submit your idea online at:
https://goo.gl/forms/5kPLj4flezVcQ5853
Names can also be handed into school staff members. The deadline to submit a suggestion is Nov. 3.

Public school district will open new building in January

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck Public Schools’ purchase of a former charter school building has finally gone through.
The district had hoped to open the school this fall, but negotiations over the sale hit a snag, said Superintendent Tom Niczay.
“Certain terms and conditions in the purchase agreement could not be fulfilled,” Niczay said in a press release issued last week.
At the recent monthly school board meeting, he said the purchase was finalized. The district bought the building that had housed the Academy of International Studies, located on Hanley.
Included in the $3 million purchase is another building next door to the school and a parking lot.
Some 150 former students at the charter school have enrolled in the public school district. The charter school abruptly closed last summer after Central Michigan University cut its sponsorship ties.
The building will now reopen under the control of the school district on Jan. 29. It will serve students in kindergarten through 8th grade.
“The families that had children attending classes in that building before it lost its charter and was closed will have the first opportunity to return,” said Niczay in a press release.
The district will have to spend an additional $1 million in furniture and educational material.
Also, 18 teachers will be hired at a cost of $1.3 million, which includes the cost of benefits.
There is no name for the school yet, and the district is asking for suggestions from the public, school employees and students.
“We are very excited about this acquisition and we are asking for suggestions for the naming of the school. As members of the community, the District would appreciate input on this matter,” Niczay said.
Have a good name to suggest?
You can submit your idea online at:
https://goo.gl/forms/5kPLj4flezVcQ5853
Names can also be handed into school staff members. The deadline to submit a suggestion is Nov. 3.

Published on October 20, 2017