• January 8, 2026

     

     

    Dear UCS Community, 

     

    Welcome to 2026 and the excitement of starting a new year. We begin the new calendar year not only focused on quality experiences for students in our classrooms, but also with our minds firmly on the future. Since its adoption in 2023, the UCSEmpowered Strategic Plan has set us on a positive path where we are creating success for our students.  

     

    Student achievement remains at the center of our work. As we start the second semester in Utica Community Schools, we will continue our process of targeting improved outcomes for all students. Information is currently being collected through a series of focus groups, school and classroom visits to understand the changing needs of our students. 

     

    While UCS students continue to outperform their peers, there are subsets of students with unique needs who are not experiencing a level of growth we would expect when compared to all students. As a result of our collective work, we will continue to focus on achievement for all students.  

      

    In addition to our focus on improved outcomes, the next steps of the strategic plan will bring more opportunities for empowering our community:  

    • We continue to meet the commitments made to voters through the 2023 Safety and Success Bond Issue. From replacement of drinking fountains to the opening of reconstructed schools, years of planning are taking shape this year throughout our district.  We are also looking beyond this facility improvement program to ensure that our families and students across the district have a positive learning environment that meets the expectations of our community.  
    • Earlier this school year, we provided information to our community on adjusting grade configurations at all UCS schools to K-5 Elementary, 6-8 middle school and 9-12 high school. In December, the Board of Education approved these grade configurations, effective for the 2027-28 school year. UCS teams will begin planning every aspect of the transition, including curriculum, student support structures, and the creation of a UCS middle school model. While the initial feedback from our community was positive, we realize that there are important areas that need to be addressed, particularly as it relates to supporting students during the transition. We will continue to provide regular updates to the community on our website.  

     

    In each instance, we are moving forward with transparency through open communications and working in partnership with our staff and community. A frequent question from our community – particularly as it relates to long-standing issues of attendance areas and building configurations - is “why now?”  

     

    The answer is that we are making these improvements from a position of strength. Our students on average continue to outperform their state and national peers on standardized tests. Like all Michigan districts, financial stability is an ongoing challenge where much of our financial future depends on state lawmakers. While the grade reconfiguration is positive for students, it also embeds future operational efficiencies in facility maintenance and transportation. This redirects resources back to our classrooms.  

     

    We recognize the impact of change on our staff and community. UCS has a strong team committed to a seamless transition as these improvements occur. This is why we began this important work years before implementation. These positive changes are creating new opportunities for today’s students and those that start their education in the future.  

    Strong relationships and educational excellence will continue to guide our work. Please never hesitate to contact your students’ teachers, building administrators, or our district leadership if you have questions. We are here to serve.  

     

    Thank you for your partnership in creating a great 2026 for our students. Your support makes a difference. Together we will continue the Utica legacy of excellence in the months to come.   

     

    Sincerely,  

     

    Robert S. Monroe 
    Superintendent of Schools