Ann Arbor deputy superintendent resigns to join former district leader Todd Roberts in N.C.
Ann Arbor Public Schools' top finance and budget official stepped down Friday to take a job in North Carolina at a school now run by former district Superintendent Todd Roberts.
Robert Allen
Roberts left prior to December 2010 to become chancellor of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Roberts and his family are from North Carolina originally and he was born at the former Watts Hospital, where the School of Science and Math is now located.
AAPS Director of Communications Liz Margolis said Allen will be named vice chancellor of the school and will serve in a similar role, overseeing the school's budget and finances.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools district is gearing up for its 2013-14 budget cycle. The district will face cuts of $17 million to $20 million for fall.
Allen presented a preliminary list of potential budget reductions to the Board of Education in December. His initial estimates targeted total instruction-related cuts of $10.36 million, operational expense reductions of $2.496 million and human resource reductions of $100,000.
Allen was one of two administrators given a raise last school year. Superintendent Patricia Green proposed increasing Allen's pay by 7.2 percent, from $130,556 to $140,000, in December 2011. Green made the argument the raise was necessary to retain good people and to bring Allen's pay to a level that was more comparable to and competitive with other districts.
Margolis said Thursday that Allen's last official day with the district will be March 22. She said Green alerted the district's instructional council of his resignation but, because Allen gave notice on Friday and this week is mid-winter break, Green will not announce what her plans are for filling Allen's position until early next week when the district returns from break.
Margolis said the 2013-14 school year budget will get done and Director of Finance Nancy Hoover, who worked for Allen, still is working to crunch numbers for the budget for fall.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
Carole
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 12:11 p.m.
In a time when the budget is so tight, a 7% increase while the rest of us are taking cuts. Hmmmm. And, the rationale was to keep good people here and be in line with other districts--Hmmmm. Since a we now know that AAPS has some of the highest salaries in Michigan.
coolretiree
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 2:13 a.m.
Good Luck Robert. You were a great asset to AAPS. I know Balas will miss you.
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 1:38 a.m.
Smart man, great at his job. So wished he would have taken the job as superintendent, but because he is so smart, he knew better. You will be greatly missed, Mr. Allen!
Basic Bob
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 1:52 a.m.
The board felt he was unqualified, even after he proved otherwise. He didn't have the sheepskin. I expect he will be replaced by someone making more, but not doing more.
Floyd
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 1:22 a.m.
Given that this story is appearing in tandem with the above scoop about Pat Green "leading from behind" and only working a four day week, here is the REAL story: Green is a total disaster, and the guy who has been holding things together at Balas has just jumped ship. The leadership of Ann Arbor schools is imploding, and Green's days are numbered. Just imagine how the battle to cut costs will play out once the price tag of buying out Green's contract is added to her bloated salary! We would have been so fortunate to have had Robert Allen as our superintendent, and he will certainly enjoy greener pastures and a fine career now that he has gotten out of Dodge.
jns131
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 5:08 p.m.
Allen from what I heard? Never wanted to be superintendent. Period. Too much responsibility. I wish him luck with Mr Roberts. NC is getting a great team.
oyxclean
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 2:39 a.m.
Yeah, I was hoping they would promote him to superintendent. Or maybe they tried to and he said, "No way!"
Momma G
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 12:24 a.m.
He should be giving back his raise, but then again, so should Dr. Green be giving up some her salary for the good of the "students"
aataxpayer
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 12:15 a.m.
Congratulations. I'm sure he'll enjoy working with Todd again.
Angry Moderate
Thu, Feb 21, 2013 : 11:21 p.m.
So, is he giving back the raise that was given specifically to "retain" him?
barb
Thu, Feb 21, 2013 : 11:06 p.m.
What a weight off his shoulders--getting out of the dysfunction that is AAPS! Enjoy NC and working with Dr. Roberts.
J. A. Pieper
Sat, Feb 23, 2013 : 4:23 p.m.
jns next to Texas? On this you have got to be kidding. Texas lowered their standards so much everyone there is reaching them! This is why they might look good. Now, for NC, your comment might be accurate.
jns131
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 5:06 p.m.
Actually I heard NC has one of the best school systems in the nation next to Texas.
Cash
Thu, Feb 21, 2013 : 11:03 p.m.
Best of luck in NC, Rob. You're the best! Enjoy the nice climate!
boo
Thu, Feb 21, 2013 : 10:59 p.m.
Good for Mr. Allen. He has the most thankless job in the district. Good luck to him and to Dr. Todd Roberts who both realize the school board in this town runs the schools, not the trained professionals.
DJBudSonic
Thu, Feb 21, 2013 : 10:50 p.m.
Nice cop out... I assume that he is taking a pension with him? The salary and pension scam seems to be in full force here in Ann Arbor; meanwhile, carry on with those budget cuts that will increase class sizes and reduce quality and range of instruction.
jns131
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 5:06 p.m.
He gets the pension because it is built into the package that is part of the AAPS system. It is state wide. So, if you leave? You will get it when you retire or roll it into something else. Best bet? Keep in the system. Good luck to Allen.
maestra27
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 2:05 p.m.
If he's taking a pension with him, it's because he paid for it and earned it. What's your point?
Blerg
Thu, Feb 21, 2013 : 10:35 p.m.
Rough news week for Dr. Green. Looks like not everyone likes working with her, contrary to what the school board has to say.
jns131
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 5:04 p.m.
You folks voted for the board we have now. The BOE needs to be removed completely and new members in. This is no surprise to me. Jump ship before it sinks.
towncryer
Thu, Feb 21, 2013 : 9:48 p.m.
Interesting that he is leaving to take a job with the former Superintendent.