Ann Arbor Public Schools making changes to bus service, but parents remain upset
Ann Arbor Public School officials say they are continually assessing and adjusting their controversial cuts to bus service, but parents who spoke at Wednesday’s school board meeting made clear they still have major concerns.
The number of district-wide routes was cut from 60 to 30 this school year, though some stops and routes were added after the first week of school. Officials say more route revisions are coming, though they didn't offer specifics on Wednesday.
“This is not to say this is the end,” said Robert Allen, the district’s director of operations. “There are still some outlying issues we are addressing; there are some more proposed changes this week that will take effect next week … so the process is not over.”
Cuts in bus service have created greater traffic congestion at Huron High School and other high schools in Ann Arbor.
Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com
Parents are also calling for elementary stops in Arrowwood and Foxfire.
Most students at the elementary and middle school level who live within 1.5 miles of their school no longer have regular bus service and must walk to school or go to common stops. High school students must walk to common stops or directly to the school or provide their own transportation.
District spokeswoman Liz Margolis said it was determined some homes at the edge of Foxfire were outside of the 1.5 mile radius, so two students there are now permitted to ride the bus. That has led to some confusion as to who is allowed on the bus in the area. The next round of revisions will focus on Skyline and Roberto Clemente, Margolis said.
Before the public comment session, Superintendent Patricia Green offered a short transportation presentation. She said the common stops weren’t necessarily intended to be points kids walk to, but drop-off and pick-up points. She also said the district is working with the city and the police department to address some safety concerns.
Green said because of cuts in state funding, the district had to reduce its budget by $15 million this fiscal year. The transportation changes were originally to account for around $1.3 million of those cuts, though the school board later transferred $300,000 out of its fund equity to allow for some high school busing.
Green also stated that parents have been informed of possible transportation cuts since spring and said the decision-making process started with a series of budget meetings and discussions in March. She suggested that the cuts were lost on parents in June because they were distracted from school issues during summer months.
“One of the things that has been important is a process was in place,” she said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t seem like it to the public.”
Parents who spoke at Wednesday's meeting disagreed.
“I keep hoping that you understand your communications weren’t done well, because if they were done well, people would have been here earlier …..” said parent Patricia Burns.
“Can we have input with this process, please? Let us be a part of the solution.”
Dr. Benedict Ilozor has two children at Logan Elementary and one at Clague Middle. He echoed Burns' assessment of the district’s communication.
“I’m offended that we were not consulted,” he said. “We are working parents who go out to work each morning to support our kids and pay taxes to Ann Arbor Public Schools, but we cannot be given basic assurance that our kids' safety will be taken care of.”
Another parent held up a picture of a convicted sex offender who she said lives .28 miles from her home in Arrowwood. She also referred to the series of sexual assaults on women in Ann Arbor recently.
“If there’s a serial sexual rapist outside on the loose and policemen cannot find the rapist after two months with six incidents, then I don’t think Ann Arbor is safe anymore,” she said.
Following a presentation from Allen detailing the budget process that led to the transportation reductions, Trustee Simone Lightfoot said she appreciated the explanation, but said parents’ had concerns that the district hadn’t adequately planned, had questions about how routes were devised and had safety concerns. She said she's also heard from parents that they felt district officials have been disrespectful throughout the process.
Several parents, including Charles Lewis, also said parents were upset with the process and their treatment from the district. He said he attended several of the meetings called by neighborhood and parent groups at which only Lightfoot and Trustee Susan Baskett were present.
“I was at those meeting and the administration was acting arrogant, entitled and condescending,” he said. “As far as the board goes, I don’t know where you where you were. You should have been there. And the superintendent — you were aloof.”
Baskett said she's ridden the buses each morning since school started and questioned the quality of transportation service the district is receiving from the Washtenaw Intermediate School District.
She said route changes hadn’t been communicated to parents, and there wasn't somewhere for parents to call when they had an immediate concern. She said no one answers the phone at the WISD transportation office.
She asked Allen who parents were supposed to call. He said they could call his office. Baskett asked for the number, and Allen said parents with concerns can call (734) 994-2250.
Baskett also said she felt the board and administration had done a poor job of communicating with the community and with one another throughout the process.
Trustee Christine Stead highlighted that the cuts are directly linked to Gov. Snyder’s cuts to public education funding — a point Trustee Glenn Nelson reiterated.
“The budget cuts are very large and very real and put enormous stress on the system,” he said, but added that the board needs to improve planning and community engagement.
“We want to have a spirit of openness and partnership as we get through periods of stress, and part of that is good planning and two-way engagement,” he said.
During her presentation, Green said the transportation cuts aren’t the last reductions the district will have to endure.
“With the budget situation on the horizon over the next year, this is going to be a continuing cycle, especially here in Ann Arbor,” she said. “Although we have had a lot of pain … we want you to be aware that his is not the end of the budget reduction cycle; this is what is going to be continuing. We are recipients of less money.”
Comments
Jack Panitch
Sat, Sep 17, 2011 : 11:20 a.m.
@ Board Candidate Iqbal I thought for about two seconds about letting this one go...and then said "naaah, no way." You see, Mr. Iqbal was part of the reason the busing discussion went as long as it did. He led the charge and the tone in public commentary, labeling the Superintendant's discussion of the busing issue "revisionist history." It's all a part of the public record, and you, too, can view it on reruns of last Wednesday night's Board of Ed meeting on Channel 18. Comments like these are not geared to help the situation, but instead are appear to be posturing as the peoples' champion in order to garner more votes. And then to suggest here that it was "frustrating to watch." I would agree with him, it was very frustrating to watch. Now, I want to be measured, here. Mr. Iqbal played only a small part in what went on Wednesday night. There is a real, serious problem, and I don't mean to minimize anyone's concern. It just galls me (a lot) to watch my community tear itself apart. I'm watching some of the most valued members of our community, with critically important concerns about their children, publicly ratcheting up the pressure on some of the best, most huge-hearted and most responsible, hard-working volunteer public servants I know. And I can't help feeling that if Mr. Iqbal truly had the District's best interests at heart, if he truly wanted to earn a chance to govern, if he truly cared about winning informed votes, he would handle his concerns in a different way. I think about the religious leaders in our community and how they would act in this situation (I hope some of them read the commentary in AnnArbor.com), and that's what I expect of someone who wants my vote. That's a tough standard to measure up to, and I'm sure I would find myself lacking. But I know that Irene Patalan, Glenn Nelson, Christine Stead, Andrew Thomas, Simone Lightfoot, Susan Baskett and Deb Mexicotte all meet that standard with room to spare.
cette
Sat, Sep 17, 2011 : 7:41 p.m.
I totally agree with you. Mr. Iqbal perhaps does not realize the big picture, and what a disservice he does when he inflame the parents. Careful what you ask for, you just might get it, Mr. Iqbal
Captain Magnificent
Fri, Sep 16, 2011 : 4:20 p.m.
What ever happened to that monorail that the Lincoln Consolidated school district was going to install? That seems like an excellent solution for Ann Arbor - it's a one-time cost and it'll give the children of Ann Arbor a leg up on the rest of the schools that are still using those antiquated buses. Perhaps if they coordinate with Lincoln Consolidated they can get a discount on the rail. <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/community/news/opinion/monorail_considered_an_option_for_relieving_lincoln_trasnsportation_woes/">http://www.annarbor.com/community/news/opinion/monorail_considered_an_option_for_relieving_lincoln_trasnsportation_woes/</a>
local
Fri, Sep 16, 2011 : 11:14 a.m.
Dr. Greene needs to take a pay cut down to the levels that Dr. Roberts was making when he left. Glenn Singleton and his program need to go as well, more money saved. Have you heard about cost of new NWEA test given 3 times a year to our K-5 (8?) students and how it is being implemented in the schools? Computer labs being put out of service for 3 weeks now, 3 weeks in January, and 3 weeks in May/June for testing leaving no technology available for students for 9 weeks out of the school year. Wait, and the district spends money on computer programs like Read 180 and Fasttmath for struggling students, yet we can't even start these programs till the NWEA test is done. Is this in the best interest of our students? Money is being wasted all over Ann Arbor Public Schools, but I think other issues are just as big and aren't being talked about as well. Class sizes? NWEA and it procedures?
AMOC
Fri, Sep 16, 2011 : 8:57 p.m.
Local - Read 180, FastMath and System 44 students often use separate, smaller computer lads, usually in "resource rooms" within the schools. Many kids assigned to those programs have these programs written into Individual Education Plans, which must be implemented by Federal law. Unless, of course, those struggling students have been assigned to these interventions for a full year or more under the Achievement Team Process. That lets AAPS avoid identifying the students as needing Special Education services and triggering the legal requirement. It also means AAPS doesn't get the reimbursement for those students from either WISD or the Federal government. So why is it so hard to get a student evaluated? Why have administrators insisted that they need 6 months or more to see if the Achievement Team Process works before a kid can even be tested for Special Ed eligibility?
snapshot
Fri, Sep 16, 2011 : 3:58 a.m.
We are so spoiled it's no wonder the rest of the world is passing usby. These parents should be teaching their kids how to adapt to the budget changes and use it as a teaching experience. Instead they are using it as a teaching experience on how to NOT adapt to economic realities. Big problem.
Blazingly Busy
Fri, Sep 16, 2011 : 10:17 a.m.
Some of us have issues of safety oh judgmental one.
Yuxuibbs DiNozzo
Fri, Sep 16, 2011 : 2:05 a.m.
middle schoolers sometimes have to squeeze in 4 to a seat on the arrowwood bus.... how is that not a safety issue?
ViSHa
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 6:04 p.m.
Aloof? Disrespectful? That doesn't sound like "our GAL"!
Bertha Venation
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.
I often see little kids walking alone along Dexter Ave, west of Maple, where there are no sidewalks. It's troublesome.
jns131
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
Other districts are having the same problems and it is only going to get much worse. Parents were warned and right now our children have to deal with the mess AAPS is in.
thecompound
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 1:27 p.m.
Stop with the Glenn Singleton contract! How much will that save, including all of his necessary supplies for his seminars? We have UM resources right here to deal with equity. I respect Trustee Baskett for at least appearing like she "gets it". Wonder how that is going over with her colleagues?
thecompound
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 4:16 p.m.
Did a google image search, now I understand your post. I still think the UM is a big resource for "cultural and racial sensitivity" and considering aaps is always working deals with the UM education department, perhaps they could do the same and skip Singleton altogether. I think Singleton has caused more divisiveness than unity or understanding.
AMOC
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
Suzanne Baskett "gets it" that she has a constituency in some neighborhoods more than others, based on their comfort with her "looking like them". The Board of Ed has adequate money to do most of the things they put a priority on, including supporting athletics, raising the pay of the superintendent and paying Glenn Singleton and his firm. But Ms. Baskett has been one of the strongest voices raised in support of Glenn Singleton and the Pacific Education Group's efforts to instill "cultural and racial sensitivity" in the staff and students of AAPS. Which is, in my opinion, coded language meaning reverse racism for some and "white guilt" for others.
zip the cat
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 12:42 p.m.
If all you whiners and complainers don't like the way YOUR school board is running things,busing ect. Next election time for school board positions vote them out. Or do as you have done every other school board election. Sit at home and do nothing. If you want to blame someone for your demise. Look in the mirrior
alarictoo
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 5:37 p.m.
Here, here!
Susan Montgomery
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 11:39 a.m.
Small correction - Arrowood should be Arrowwood throughout
Tom Perkins
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.
Thanks, Susan.
tmo
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 11:25 a.m.
"Trustee Christine Stead highlighted that the cuts are directly linked to Gov. Snyder's cuts to public education funding — a point Trustee Glenn Nelson reiterated. " Despite this financial crisis, Ms Stead and Mr Nelson failed to mention that they still found enough money when they voted to raise the superintendent's salary to a quarter of million $. Apparently they naively hoped that they would attract a miracle worker to solve all these problems. No pressure Ms Green.....
musicnerdsftw
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 2:38 p.m.
When all else fails. Blame Gov. Snyder... haha
swimfan
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 11:18 a.m.
This is ridiculous how the district has handled the buses. I have heard from multiple parents from multiple schools that the kids are having to sit in the aisles because there are no seats available. Gee that doesn't sound like a safety issue or potential lawsuit. Guess the district would rather gamble on money they don't have than fix it now. Good luck.
jns131
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
AAPS went downhill with busing when they privatized their system last year. WISD has absolutely no clue as to how to handle this crises. The supervisors are only puppets and hands are tied if they try for anything more then what is being offered. I hate to say it, but transportation will become non existence except for special ed and elementary. Good luck parents, but you were warned of this last winter.
Ahmar Iqbal
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 11:14 a.m.
Being at the school board meeting last night, it was frustrating to watch the busing discussion take nearly 2.5 hours before getting to the "actual agenda." Instead of discussing how to provide great education programs and lower class size, the admin / board explained the previous year's budget community consultation process, which all the speakers during public commentary voiced did not notify them until mid Aug of bus changes nor split elementary classes. Lets improve the process and engage. At the same time, I am not sure if the admin/board get it. The actions are still going in the other direction. Last night's board meeting had three items presented to the board for financial approval. Cumulatively, they represented more than half a million ($500,000+) of expenses. Only one of the items (printing of the Rec catalog) went via competitive bidding and resulted in nearly 20% saving from the previous year's expense on the same item. Multiple vendors were contacted to submit printing prices which were reduced by 20%. Moreover, a Michigan based firm beat the out of state firm the district used previously. So our competitive bidding hopefully added to the economy and created a job or two in Michigan + saved our schools money. The other two items which accounted for much more financially did not go through any bidding process, but rather, "we have been doing business with them for many years and our satisfied with their services." One of these two vendors did voluntarily reduce their fees by $5,000 from the previous year, but perhaps more savings could have been realized if it had been an open bid. In fact, the other vendor has already begun service for this school year even though their contract had only been approved last night. So the vendor just assumed they would be renewed. Wow a 20% savings here would be nearly $100,000! Lets find all the places we can save money AND at the same time advocate our Lansing reps to do more to fund education.
Blazingly Busy
Fri, Sep 16, 2011 : 10:15 a.m.
You don't always pick the lowest bidder, that is true, however, if you never competitive bid how the heck can you validate that the prices you end up paying are even close to competitive?
Basic Bob
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 5:57 p.m.
Competitive bidding is good at keeping your best suppliers on their toes, but to always go with the low bidder guarantees you will be stuck with the vendor that a) does not understand the job thoroughly enough to factor in all the costs; b) plans to quibble over whether every issue is part of their contract; or c) expects to renegotiate for every cost overrun. Now if you're just printing just one or two issues of a Rec/Ed catalog, how bad could the cheapest possible catalog be? Not as risky as picking the low bidder to build a rocket to Mars.
Blazingly Busy
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 12:58 p.m.
Sounds like AAPS needs a little more due diligence. Not bidding out large projects is fiscally irresponsible.
Mermaidswim
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 10:19 a.m.
My son walks a mile to a school bus to high school. The stop is 2 blocks from an AATA bus stop that serves the same school. If bus service were to be discontinued, I would hope that AATA/AAPS could offer free or discounted passes for the school year (more discounted than 75 cents each way). My other son attends WCC. His first year, he was able to buy a buss pass for $10 per semester, however now it's not available. There is a free bus ride home from WCC, but now we pay by the day, more per semester and need to keep change handy every day.
Blazingly Busy
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 4:24 p.m.
Won't AATA just use this as a chance to raise revenue? Yes, there are more students (including my child) using AATA, however, I don't think AATA will see any reason to lower pricing or offer special passes. I could be wrong, of course...
jns131
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.
They have monthly bus passes for $29 a month. Mine has one and I am realizing I need to go get a new one on line for next month. Just a thought. Otherwise, I picked our child up from HS on Wednesday and saw at least 30 students waiting for a AATA home. Now that will give AATA a message that AAPS can't handle busing students anymore.
KJMClark
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 10:15 a.m.
I keep looking for the announcement of 5% cuts in administrative costs. "[Green] suggested that the cuts were lost on parents in June because they were distracted from school issues during summer months." All summer they told us to be patient, they couldn't tell us anything, we'd just have to wait for the busing schedule to come out. We checked periodically all summer, but got the same "shut up and wait" story. I would suggest to the Superintendent that she's not in a great position to blame parents on this. She should have stopped with "We're sorry, we didn't handle this well, we'll try to do better." I appreciate Mr. Allen giving us a number that might actually be answered, but with all of the money going to administration, I would think there would be some staff other than the Director of Operations who could answer a phone and take some notes.
KJMClark
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 10:24 a.m.
I should also point out that the bus drivers we've dealt with have been very helpful. It's a little frustrating that the only staff that seem to recognize the problems and deal well with the public wrt busing are *not* AAPS employees. And for the inevitable "Blame Lansing!" - yes, I absolutely agree, but my representatives were opposed to those changes, so voting them out would just do harm. Looking forward to a recall election for the Gov., though I don't expect it to succeed, and Bernero didn't seem much better. I didn't vote for either one, though I voted on the other things on that ballot.
Les Gov
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 10:02 a.m.
It's time to accept the fact that schools can no longer provide busing, the cost and liability is just too much for the schools to take on. If parents want their kids on a bus then those parents are going to have to contract for the service through an independent busing company.
KJMClark
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 8:14 p.m.
jns - could you provide a link to something that says Massachusetts did that? I did a quick search and only found public districts that provided busing. I did see that districts were providing free busing for *private* schools, which was stopped.
Bradley Pearsall
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
It appears from your comment that you do not have school aged children. Children walking to school or long distances to the bus stop is beyond dangerous in this day and age. Look at Detroit. How many A2 children have to be hit by cars or dragged into the bushes and attacked before everyone is on board with the idea that A2 must have bussing for thier students. Contract bussing companies may not be the answer. The schools will have no say in who is hired or the policies concerning drug and alcohol testing and background checks of the drivers. I know the woman that drives my son and the gentleman that drives my highschool age daughter and want to keep it that way. Do you want a drug user or child molester driving your childs bus?
jns131
Thu, Sep 15, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.
Amen. Could not agree more with this one. Massachusetts did same and well, it is time to realize that Ann Arbor is also going to have to do the same.