Mark your calendars: Ann Arbor school officials have announced the schedule for the budget information sessions they will hold in January. During these sessions, proposed budget cuts will be discussed and suggestions from the public will be encouraged.

The schedule is:

• Thursday, Jan. 7 at Huron High School, 2727 Fuller Road.
• Tuesday, Jan. 12 at Skyline High School, 2552 N. Maple Road.
• Thursday, Jan. 14 at Scarlett Middle School, 3300 Lorraine.
• Tuesday, Jan. 19 at Pioneer High School, 601 W. Stadium Blvd.

All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m.

I've written before about my hope that these budget discussions will be constructive. Part of that depends on district officials supplying the budget facts and options well before the meetings, so that people can formulate reasoned opinions, rather than coming into the meetings with only their emotional responses. I also hope the district makes clear how they intend to use the public feedback in their decision-making process.

And finally, I hope these sessions garner a really good turnout of people representing interests that are as diverse as our school populations.

Jen Eyer is on the Community Team at AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at 734-623-2577 or jeneyer@annarbor.com, or you can visit her at 301 East Liberty.