Office of the Superintendent

We had a beautiful fall, but we cannot avoid the eventual arrival of winter weather. This year’s school cancellation process is the same as last year's. Below is a summary of the protocol and decision-making process.

The safety of students is the foremost consideration when evaluating if school should be canceled. There are several variables that inform the final decision.

1. An early morning report from our Director of Facilities and Operations on road conditions 
2. Input from law enforcement, the road commission, and/or staff from neighboring districts
3. Consultation with Superintendents from other Ingham County Districts
4. Forecasted weather conditions for the remainder of the day

If the temperature is sustained 20 degrees or more below zero (with or without wind chill), school will be automatically canceled.

Note that each local district in the area makes its own independent decision to cancel school. Road conditions in Williamston (including roads in all parts of our district) may differ greatly from those in other districts. If you disagree with a decision to open school, it is always your right to keep your child at home. If you make this choice, please contact the appropriate school office so we know where your child is and that they are safe.

For students attending the Wilson Talent Center (WTC). If Mason Public Schools have canceled school due to road/weather conditions, the Ingham Intermediate Schools are also closed. Consequently, the WTC will be closed. If Williamston is open on a day Mason schools are closed, our WTC students have space available to study at Williamston High School. However, WTC students will only be required to attend class during their usual hours at WHS. Questions regarding this arrangement can be directed to the high school office.

School cancellations are broadcast on a variety of sources. These include the District website, School Messenger, and local media outlets. In most cases, a decision to cancel school will be made by 6:30 am.

Tonight (Friday) will be busy around town for students and families. Kickoff for Williamston’s home football game at Larkin Nortman Memorial Field is at 7:00 pm. Trick-or-Treating times have been adjusted in the City; 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Please be careful driving this evening. Happy Halloween and Go Hornets!

Elementary students participate in the 2025 Halloween Parade led by the WHS Marching Band:

Bond Updates:

Progress continues with planning for bond projects that are scheduled to begin in 2026. Most notably, the new Explorer Elementary design process has been mostly completed. That project is currently out for bid. New renderings are shown below:

The Explorer Elementary main entrance, looking south:

Explorer Elementary classroom wings, looking northwest:

The Explorer Elementary project is scheduled to begin in March. 

Additional 2026 projects are in the planning stages. Check the Bond Updates tab on the WCS Homepage or select the link here for more information.

I hope all our students enjoyed the time away during fall break. This concept was started several years ago to give everyone a short break during the initial portion of the school year. Feedback from families and faculty has affirmed that the four-day weekend provides a beneficial reset. 

Although it is still in the early portion of the school year, Williamston has earned a couple of new accolades. Niche.com again ranked WCS among the top districts in Michigan. The District earned an overall rating of “A.”

WCS was also rated among the best districts for student-athletes. Williamston ranked #28 out of 484 Michigan school districts. Not bad for the smallest district in the CAAC Red Conference. In addition to excellent coaching and facilities, students in Williamston benefit from strong youth programs and courses such as Fit for Life at the elementary schools, which promote healthy living habits and exercise. These experiences contribute to high levels of participation in athletics at the middle and high school levels.