Telegram - Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944

Stepping in to take command of an entire school district during a global pandemic can be a daunting expectation. The Wayne-Westland School Board voted in spring of 2020 to offer the post of superintended to John Dignan, who at the time was working in the Southfield Public Schools District. The district had previously been led by Dr. Sue Carnell and Jill Simmons, each on an interim basis. Dignan took over as superintendent for Wayne-Westland Schools in July and was pleasantly surprised to find a thriving sense of community in the district. "The one thing I have to admit, coming in during a turbulent time with the pandemic, people have really rallied around one another to help support the community, which I think speaks volumes," says Dignan. "The school community has been outstanding; the parents, the students, the staff, especially during this rocky time they've really come together, everyone's trying to do what's best. There's a lot of pride in Wayne-Westland which is very exciting to me."

Dignan's initial challenge was to get all of the district's nearly 10,000 students access to virtual learning. Wayne-Westland Community Schools draws students from Wayne, Westland, Canton, Livonia, Garden City, Dearborn Heights, Inkster, and Romulus. Internet access is a challenge for many in southeast Michigan. Dignan says the district was able to provide its students more than 7,000 devices for classroom access and employed the unique method of providing internet service via school buses equipped with Wi-Fi. The district parked nearly two dozen buses throughout the district in various neighborhoods to provide a hot spot for internet connectivity for students at home. The district later placed Wi-Fi hotspots throughout those same neighborhoods in management offices and clubhouses. Dignan acknowledges funding from the United Way and cooperation from the district's bus drivers helped make the effort a success and applauds their contributions.

Dignan, who was born and raised in Ypsilanti, says he comes from a family of educators that includes both of his parents, his sister, and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles. "It's kind of in our blood, so I really wouldn't want to do any other profession especially when you can make a difference in a kid's life," he says. He has obtained degrees from Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, and is currently completing his Education Doctorate at Madonna University.

Students at the William D. Ford Career Tech Center in Westland train for a career while in high school.

Now in the superintendent's role for nearly a year, Dignan is developing ideas for enhancing the educational offerings in Wayne-Westland Schools. "We want to present a lot of different opportunities for our kids," he says. The district is in the process of partnering with local colleges and outside educational foundations to add enrichment opportunities at the elementary and middle schools levels, including STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) classes, introductory information technology classes, expanded athletic offerings and expanded music programs. Dignan is most proud of the district's William D. Ford Career Technical Center, which offers high school students 19 technical training programs including automotive technology, culinary arts, and welding technology. Dignan says his focus will be on getting the word out about the great education students receive in Wayne-Westland Community Schools. "I think we have a lot of offerings in our district but people are just not aware of all the great things that are happening in Wayne-Westland," says Dignan. "Wayne-Westland should be a destination for so many families because we have great staff and great people in general throughout our organization; our slogan at Wayne-Westland is Great Futures Start Here."

Find out more about Wayne-Westland Community Schools at http://www.wwcsd.net.