Special Board of Education Meeting - Second Round Interview Catherine Cost, Ed.D. - March 25, 2026

This was a Special Board of Education meeting held by Wayne Westland Community Schools on March 25, 2026, focused on the second round interview of Dr. Catherine Cost for the superintendent position. The discussion centered on Dr. Cost's vision for district growth, particularly through full utilization and expansion of the Career Tech Center (CTC) programs aligned with labor market demands, such as auto mechanics, aviation technology, and computer networking. She emphasized strategic enrollment growth, financial stability with a target fund balance over 20%, and strong community and family engagement. Dr. Cost also addressed budget alignment with district priorities, safety protocols, the integration of AI in education, and maintaining competitive programming to retain and attract students amid increased school choice options. While no specific contract awards or procurement decisions were made, Dr. Cost mentioned exploring expansion grants through the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to support CTC growth and highlighted the district's recent hiring of an advertising firm to boost enrollment. The meeting included detailed plans for data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement to enhance academic achievement and community trust.