AAPS budget crisis: As schools cut programs next year, community needs to see management of this year's deficit
Pioneer High School students board an Ann Arbor Transportation Authority bus on the first day of school in September. More students may be taking the public transit to get to class in the AAPS, if the school board approves the administration's recommendation to eliminate high school busing.
AnnArbor.com file photo
That amount represents a portion of the $8.67 million deficit administrators and trustees are trying to eliminate from the 2013-14 operating budget that they need to approve by June 30.
The cuts — not final but appearing likely — touch many aspects of the district. Parents and students face several changes, if all of the cuts are finalized in June: No high school transportation. No middle school pools. Fee-based seventh-hour classes in high schools. And about 30 employees could lose jobs in that wave, including counselors, lunchroom aides and custodians.
Parents are expressing disappointment, fear and concern. We believe school board members share each emotion as they work on the front lines of the cuts, sorting through options and trying to avoid the most unsavory proposal of all: cutting 50 teachers, representing 32 full-time equivalent positions.
We also believe the community understands the budget situation facing schools and is prepared to engage in productive conversations about equitable and meaningful changes in the budget that preserve the educational quality in Ann Arbor.
However, we also believe that the community and schools will better survive the next budget crisis if all concerned can be assured that administrators and trustees are appropriately managing the current crisis.
One week before trustees indicated approval of the cuts now on the table, they learned that this year’s financial deficit - projected at $2.5 million - had actually grown under administration’s oversight by another $1.3 million by the end of March.
At the same time, the district faces borrowing for the first time in its history, as its fund balance dips below the amount needed to cover payroll during months when it awaits state funding.
Now — as the same administrators lead the budgeting process for the coming year and start to study redistricting, which could lead to the closing of buildings — the community is asked to trust that these proposed cuts truly are best for Ann Arbor schools.
Yet what do we know about how the district is managing the current situation? We’ve learned that Superintendent Pat Green is approving all purchase requests; a spending freeze was enacted in February; at least one cabinet-level administrator won’t be replaced.
On the other hand, some community members see that it’s only now that the district’s $70,000 catering budget for meetings is proposed to be cut — for next year.
That’s one small piece of the budget, but an indication that the community is right to raise questions about spending decisions — and the pace of budget analysis and reaction to it in the district. Just ask the students and parents at Roberto Clemente, a school that’s been threatened with uncertainty annually since 2010.
The cuts that this community was asked to accept as near-fact last week should be preceded by a full-bore, district-led battle — waged in public, with frequent reporting to staff, parents and residents — to cut this year’s deficit.
The spending freeze started months ago, the deficit got worse and it’s now mid-May.
The public doesn’t have the information to know where we stand this year. And, based on recent reports, we don’t know if the district knows.
Even school board trustees express concern: “I am increasingly frustrated by having these budget adjustments come along six months after the fact,” Andy Thomas said after a recent meeting.
This community cares deeply about its public education. We believe it wants to rally behind the district and is willing to sacrifice for its schools.
But Ann Arbor residents won’t settle. And when we don’t see a strong, unified response to this year’s budget crisis, we’re left to question whether we can trust the plan to solve the one headed our way next year.
Comments
Ken
Sun, May 26, 2013 : 10:53 p.m.
A wind turbine away from bankruptcy.
Klayton
Tue, May 21, 2013 : 4:09 a.m.
On a more positive note, I just want to say that my child's teacher at one of the AAPS elementary schools (not Open) is WONDERFUL! We are beyond thrilled and know that she works like crazy to give these kids an innovative and engaging education. I would give her a bonus in a minute! It is heartwarming to see amazing teachers like my child has this year. It makes me sad that we have to lose potentially amazing teachers (or support staff) b/c our board cannot figure out how to budget appropriately.
jns131
Tue, May 21, 2013 : 12:42 a.m.
I have been talking with parents and taking a look at the outer most districts. Guess what. Dexter can handle up to Wagner Road since AATA does not go further then Maple Road. As for Scio Ridge? Guess the children are walking or car pooling since AATA does not do Scio Ridge. Now for the Saline area? There is over lapping Saline Ann Arbor school buses. Since there will not be high school busing in the area, Saline can pick up and would be most happy to do school choice. So would Whitmore Lake and Plymouth. That would cut high school children in half. So those that can get to school inside the city will be there in September. Those that can't? Dexter, Chelsea, Whitmore Lake, Ypsilanti, Milan and of course Saline would love to take our children so they can make lots of money for themselves. Guess what BOE? You screwed up again. No fore thought to what will happen in September. No high schoolers.
Thoughtful
Wed, May 22, 2013 : 1:10 a.m.
When you say Scio Ridge, where is that? Are you referring to Scio Farms? Across from Lowes area? We live outside city limits as well, and almost my entire neighborhood either drives their kids, or their kids drive already. Based on the AAPS bus driver I saw barrel through my neighborhood yesterday on the wrong side of the street, I will continue to drive my kids as well anyways. It would be super if the AATA could extend a bit further, even for just a few pick up/drop off times. Many of the high school buses I have seen lately have fairly few high school kids on them. I'm curious how many kids actually do ride, and whether the AATA would consider adding a route or two in those areas?
RUKiddingMe
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 10:21 a.m.
Is everyone still quite pleased with the $1700 MacBook Pros (many of which are apparently stored in a bunker)? I wonder how much of that technology bond money is being spent wisely.
Charles Curtis
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 4:52 a.m.
AAPS has known about budget issues for a few years now, and I would like to know how the hell $1.3 mil more in deficit can be added in the last cpl of months? How do you balance a budget when you have no idea of what you are spending? How about we fire most of the people at balas who were suppose to be managing things? If the BOE differed to the "professionals" at balas to mange things, then clearly the people at balas need to go. I have never understood why we need a director of a subject who is suppose to guide the district's curriculum. Lets get rid of these directors until the district can justify them AND pay for them before we slash things that directly impact students (added costs, cuts to class, bussing, etc). If you are not in classroom regularly, then you need to be cut. The achievement gap has not been closed by these directors, so what are we getting from them? I would also like to see a per student cost of education at all high schools posted on AA.com, and if the 7th hour charges are going forward at Huron and Pioneer, we better see equal cuts at Skyline and Community to make sure the costs are very close to the same at each. (take all money spent at a given school for salaries & operations (general budget costs, not sinking funds) and divide it by the number of students...remove athletics's since community moves to other HS), since it looks like Huron and Pioneer are going to get far more cuts than the other HS's. I know if we have to pay extra for AP classes, full time music, full time foreign languages, it will be time to look at other options for my children's education. Maybe AAPS will be best choice, but as families begin to look at other options, budget will get worse as families find better options. Perhaps the BOE ought to fundraise the food they want like the students have to do for trips, athletics, music, theater, etc.
Thoughtful
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 9:50 p.m.
Charles, one cannot compare costs at Community, unless somehow the district will come up with ALL of the other electives available at Pioneer, Huron, and Skyline, and provide them as options at CHS as well. Community has had courses cut drastically ALREADY. Anyone who actually has a kid at CHS knows, for example, that the foreign language classes are packed full and combined - Latin 1/2, Spanish2/3. Etc. When and if that happens at the other high schools, let us all know. CHS students don't have the luxury of UMPTEEN electives. You either take it or leave it, and make do with online classes, or waiting another year to take that elective you want. Or you PAY to take a class over the summer, which I have already done twice, so my kid could get his coursework in. If kids take a seventh class, they have to pay extra for it ALREADY. We are down to ONE full time counselor, but part of attending CHS is learning to be self- sufficient, and most kids are able to figure out their own scheduling needs, and pursue their own extra classes. Independence is ENCOURAGED from the time they are freshmen. AP classes are not available either at CHS, and require extra effort to pursue if they are wanted. If my kid were at Pioneer or Huron, my concern would be how they will fit the kids into six hours legitimately. My older kids went to Pioneer, and I remember how incredibly crowded the halls were then. Perhaps if parents ever stop attacking and start working together, we can get rid of the dysfunction in this district. Together.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 1:49 a.m.
That the $70K catering is still in the budget tells you that there is enormous amounts of pork that still needs to be cut from the budget. Similarly, when the school district refuses to release details about after school sports programs, you know someone is probably hiding something.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 1:51 a.m.
Correction: there are enormous amounts of pork that still need to be cut
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 1:48 a.m.
I see folks making interesting comparisons to Saline schools. Has anyone done any comparative analysis of the spending in A2 schools to see where it all goes? Where's the burn compared to other school districts?
DonBee
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 5:35 p.m.
Mr Urfe - There is a uniform reporting system that that state runs - FID, you can find it at Michigan.gov
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 12:52 p.m.
I was thinking budget dollars per administrator, admin salary per student, sports spending per student, gym facility spending per student, etc. Stuff like that. I don't know much about this stuff. But perhaps it is time to hire a consultant whom they do not control to produce a report.
Charles Curtis
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 5 a.m.
Thats kind of the problem, AAPS has no idea on specifics. All they can give you is broad general ideas, nothing specific. They can tell you the libraries spent xx, but they cant tell you what xx was spent on inside the library. Im sure there is no idea of what people at balas do during a typical day either other than the talking points of the day. Teachers have too much detail in lesson plans required by state, but everyone else in AAPS has no detail on what or how long they spend on anything.
jns131
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 11:39 p.m.
Roberto Clemente and Stone School can combine resources to save the district money. There is room. As for Community? It is almost like a charter school in of itself. Then there is Skyline the outer most school that everyone thinks is a waste. Hate to say it but it has relieved congestion on Pioneer and Huron. I also think killing high school transportation is going to send children on line and to other schools that can accommodate them due to parental unit inability to transport them. Good luck BOE but you messed up big time again.
West Side Mom
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 11:34 p.m.
Deb Mexicotte needs to set her ego aside and step down as president of the BOE. Forget this recall nonsense.
buzzy
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 11:29 p.m.
Board members and the community must focus their energy on fiscal decisions they control. I have only recently learned about the angst AAPS is experiencing and know little about the details behind the monetary struggles; however, I am confident that many of these challenges can be mitigated when strident finger pointing is minimized and the focus is placed on problem solving clearly identified concerns. Recent article comments suggest that administration and board members have not exercised sound fiscal judgment and that the union contract is likely to cause persistent financial strife. If true, these are indeed barriers to moving forward with a successful financial plan. Consideration of the following matters may merit review as AAPS moves forward with a plan to stabilize finances: 1) Establish a leadership team that is trusted, competent and willing to do what it takes to get the job done. 2) Develop pivot points for fiscal decisions to ensure that rationale for decisions is aligned with stated goals. 3) Develop a strategic plan to address the issues of school closures and possible boundary changes. 4) Re-visit the union contract with the benefit of prudent legal counsel. Don't give up! These are big bumps in the road but the children you serve are worth all of the effort it will take to make much needed change.
J K
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 10:06 p.m.
There are a lot of "extras" that make Ann Arbor Public Schools a great school district. That said, there is a lot of fluff that could be reallocated to critical areas in need. What does it take to find "money smart" people that can make it happen? Does that mean one of us will need to step up? Around the time I attended, Community High School used to be funded on a shoestring budget but it still managed to produce some unlikely high proportion of National Merit Scholars one year (I want to say something like 16 of 100 students in that class.) Amazing things have been done and can be done with smaller budgets and community involvement.
Colorado Sun
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 5:06 p.m.
Recall Deb Mexicotte for her support of the $5,000.00 meal allowance. "$5,000.00 is pennies." is as memorable as "Let them eat cake." It is the product of a disturbing air of arrogance. I am appalled.
Bill
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 10:35 p.m.
The problem is that if you have the attitude it is only $5,000 then that $5,000 turns into $50,000 and into $500,000 as you repeat yourself over and over. AAPS has not only a financial problem but a public relations problem. The district either goes silent or when they do speak, make comments that show how out of touch they are and have no idea how these statement make them look totally clueless.
Basic Bob
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 7:52 p.m.
500,000 pennies. We should start a collection for her.
RUKiddingMe
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 4:42 p.m.
Okay, so I just skimmed the Skyline "magnet" programs page. It looks to me like a "school inside school" whose major difference from "normal" school is hands-on experience? But I also see a lot of the same kind of obfuscating verbiage one typically sees in money-drain projects. Kind of like companies whose products include "synergy." Has there been any kind of evidence that the students participating in these Magnet programs do better? Is this like AP math? I don't get the impression there are very good quantitative measures that evaluate the success of these programs. Noteworthy, I think, is also the fact that students are not required to finish what they started in the programs. I could be wrong; are these things proven successes, or just allocations of money towards special programs and staff that have no accountability?
say it plain
Tue, May 21, 2013 : 2:56 a.m.
I have surely been hearing this complaint that 'mastery grading' creates dis-incentive to do the low-points assignments like homework, which has got to make for a less engaged student body, I'd agree. It seems that we should be hearing about evaluations of this system, shouldn't we? Or surveys too, if it's different from what they do at the other high schools in town? They've done surveys regarding trimesters haven't they, but not of the magnets or of the mastery grading. Of course, nothing seems to come from surveys in this AAPS, but on the off chance that they'd listen to the people....
Thoughtful
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 9:59 p.m.
The only reference i recall comparing test scores was the list that came out with Saline doing well, when things were combined, like AP classes, but Act scores were just okay. Wasnt Skylines ACT score average the lowest in the district? I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm incorrect. The mastery thing is a reason to not do the work at Skyline. Does that cost more?
say it plain
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 10:16 a.m.
@AMOC, I don't understand your comments about "mastery" system. As I understand it, kids are only allowed to "re-take" assessments on which they failed to achieve "mastery", which is something like 75 or 80%. If they re-take it, then they can only add a grade of that level...if they re-take and score 99 they still get credit only for the 80%. And that in return for that 'favor' of allowing the student to be re-assessed on the material, more of the overall grade for the course comes from 'mastery' assessments. I don't necessarily agree with the process, but it surely doesn't make their GPAs "meaningless" by any stretch. In some ways, given what I understand to be the increased emphasis on tests in the final calculation for grades, it does de-emphasize the day-to-day participation and homework-type work, which might not be optimal, but it also makes grades a more stringent test.
AMOC
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 8:10 p.m.
RUKidding - If AAPS has a plan to evaluate ANY of their programs, it will be a first in my experience. I was among the parents who forced our way into the SISS review of AAPS Special Education programs that got started back in April of 2012. The staff members doing this Program Review refused to collect any data at all about student outcomes. That's why the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee was shocked and alarmed when SISS decided to eliminate several very well regarded programs for next year, and only notified parents of this change in mid-May. There is no basis in performance or law for eliminating these programs instead of expanding them to meet the increased need, no matter what the SISS administrators claim. If, as the law requires, all students are provided with the services, therapy and support they need, it will cost much more to offer this to the 1-5 students in every elementary school than to cluster those students in one elementary per middle school cluster.
RUKiddingMe
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 5:46 p.m.
Given that, AMOC, I wonder if they have plans in place TO monitor the success. Can anyone say whether or not AAPS has a clear plan for evaluating the benefit of these programs? In a budget crisis, it's not only necessary to cut own KNOWN wasteful (or useless) spending, but also put plans in place to IDENTIFY it.
AMOC
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 5:35 p.m.
RUKidding - AAPS has not released any stats on the academic achievement or college entrance of magnet school students vs their other students or AAPS in general. Some of that may be because they have only a few years of data. The magnet programs didn't start until Skyline had Junior year students. From the gossip, which is all there is, the magnet program students do about as well or as poorly as other Skyline students in their other classes. No test score info has been released, and Skyline's mastery learning policy makes students' GPA pretty close to meaningless.
Topher
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 4:27 p.m.
Get ready for it - the best option will be to support the Governor's plan through PEFA. This represents one of the stages in the Governor's plan: cut funding to public schools until they can no longer function, make the public upset at teachers and their local community schools, then present the PEFA option which will look wonderful (value-added schools for $5k per student?! Sounds great!) and we have a voucher system like Florida. Ann Arbor is just one of the first to get to this milestone, but other districts are nearing similar situations. I am all for innovation, change, and new rules for unions. What I am not for is implementation that lowers student achievement (And I do not mean just standardized test scores here) and increases the gap between socio-economic levels, puts more students on unproven computer "self-regulated/paced" programs, and more state imposed rules (how about we do away from Proposal A? How about we let each school district decide on their own standards?) that do not benefit our community.
sweetdaddy1963
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 3:22 p.m.
The year 2033 AAPS what a great concept public school use to be, but they lost there way worried about solvency they forgot about community the little things that keep things held tight together. This is what I see for our system not just here, but for any distict that listens to its community in public meeting but does the total opposite when voting. For example we have high schools with low enrollment why? Because we are letting kids transfer in-district why? No you go to school where you live duh! what's so hard about that concept we are destroying our own school district from with in we do not need any outside help oh public school gone the the way of the LP and pay phone a thing of the past.
JRW
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 2:10 p.m.
The financial managers for AAPS need to look for other jobs. Clearly their skills (or lack thereof) have hurt the district in not living within its means for the last several years. When you keep dipping into the slush fund every year instead of making real cuts to live within your budget, the bill comes due. That time is now. I haven't read about any real cuts for administrator salaries. Northside needs to be closed down, as an underenrolled, poorly managed school. Clemente and Stone need to be merged, and Community needs to be sold off with the program relocated to Pioneer or Skyline. Make some real cuts and learn to live within the budget. Food budget for meetings to the tune of $70,000? Forget about it.
CLX
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 3:53 p.m.
And yet these options never, ever seem to even be discussed. I don't know if they are the right solution, but let's at least consider all of our options. Community is a sacred cow, and closing buildings is apparently not a consideration even though it has happened in AAPS's past.
Nicholas Urfe
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 1:47 p.m.
I keep hearing that A2 has some of the highest per pupil tax revenue per student. Where is all the money going?
JRW
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
Into the pockets of highly paid administrators.
buzzy
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 12:46 p.m.
Closing school buildings for a district is an emotional process that almost always results in frustration for families impacted by closures. Nevertheless, it is apparent that AAPS must move forward with a cogent plan to consolidate buildings and sell unused property. I am an AAPS graduate and an educator working in another state (12,500 students – just outside of Minneapolis). My district is on the mend, both financially and emotionally, following a multi-year plan that closed schools and sold unused buildings. We did not get it right in some ways, but the district is fiscally strong, families feel welcomed at their new schools and test scores are up. I believe AAPS must begin in earnest to address building closings to stabilize the district budget. I am just sorry that this process has been dilatory in coming. Move forward AAPS with a plan to improve instruction for all students. Preoccupation with financial matters takes away from what the real conversation should be about – helping ALL students to be engaged in learning!
say it plain
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 3:14 p.m.
Nicely stated....
RUKiddingMe
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 12:36 p.m.
Is the AAPS going to be spending a single dime on the wind turbines? I'm really asking this. I'm wondering because if they are, their spending priorities are CLEARLY still not in order. This district has vast amounts of money pouring into it. They have had several unknown pretty big "surprises" pop up involving pretty big amounts of money. There are bound to be several more. This whole organization needs a thorough, rigorous audit so people can get fired or jailed; all this hmming and hawing and wringing of hands while we STILL don't know where all the money went isn't going to work. Accountability is needed here; people who screwed up need to be let go. Why are we not seeing cuts to things like bogus software solutions (e.g. their ridiculous 3rd party that was nothing more than having a shared document in a shared folder; that was LUDICROUS, and it was just ONE example of ONE group in ONE school doing something ridiculous; I'm sure examples of this ABOUND)
RUKiddingMe
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 12:26 p.m.
I saw in the prom story that someone's job title was "Skyline business magnet leader." At least that seemed to be the job title. Is that an actual position? Is it an AAPS position, or some vendor trying tro push products at proms? And if the latter, why is "Skyline" in the title? Can we get some details on the work the "Skyline business magnet leader" does and the salary?
say it plain
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 3:13 p.m.
Yes, they have those 'magnet' programs at Skyline, which so far as I can tell, is nice for the kids who lottery in, a small sub-set of the total Skyline population, but their existence doesn't benefit much of the student body there. An interesting question becomes whether the position, which I take it is something like a 'lead teacher' position, comes with any extra salary that doesn't benefit any but the small numbers of kids doing the magnet? In this time of huge classes and trouble for vast numbers of kids getting the classes they need, I don't think we can afford extra FTE-fractions going for the sake of having 'magnets'. Offer the classes without the extra overhead and lottery-based silliness and let as many students benefit from their existence as possible! We are gutting the educational resources available to the student-population-at-large and keeping in place the little extras-for-the-lucky or hungry-at-meetings and so on.
a2scio
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 12:39 p.m.
Skyline has 4 magnet programs, business is one of them http://www.a2skyline.org/skyline.home/magnet_programs
oldlocal
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 11:54 a.m.
How do other school systems manage to operate within a budget?
Klayton
Tue, May 21, 2013 : 4:04 a.m.
Saline teachers just took a pay cut...not doing very well in Saline either with budget :(
MyFiveCents
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 4 p.m.
I don't know a whole lot about Saline's school district, but I would be willing to bet the reason why they are able to operate within a budget is they aren't so "top heavy" and use their administrators effectively...that is without the need to name $100, 000+ job titles that are worthless and come with a few administrative assistants.
Topher
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 1:51 p.m.
I'd be curious to know how Saline does so well (they pay their teachers much more than AA). Do they get private donations?
DonBee
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 11:33 a.m.
The district has run an unrealistic budget for the last 5 plus years. Total revenue, with the exception of 1 year has continued to increase, but the budget cuts continue and get worse. The idea of zero base budgeting is a good one, but the fact is the foundation is not there to do it, and the previous financial team had little or no desire (from the outside looking in anyway) to implement it. Spending priorities make little sense sometimes, the Board's catering budget for their meetings, for instance, which has its own thread. The board made a decision 8 plus years ago when Ms. Mexicotte became the president to do high level policy only and trust the administration to run the district. While they made policy to make the finances more open - including posting the "check book" to the website, seldom has the board done anything when their policy decisions were ignored. I doubt any member of the board understands how the more than 1300 teachers are deployed in the schools, nor where the 113 Office professionals work or what they do. Do they understand that collecting funds for school trips is done manually, in 2013? It is like the implementation of Power School, while the tool is pretty useful today, for several YEARS many teachers ignored it, and little or no training was offered. It was supposed to supplement student teacher conferences (and given the small amount of time available today for such conferences - has replaced them for many families). Millions were spent in annual licensing fees for a system few used and the board did nothing to encourage its use. Finally a now departing Superintendent forced the issue. The board heard a report from the special education team (SISS) but took no action, the SISS director told parents that no action was going to be taken on a specific topic until the board took action, but in reality the action had been underway for over a year. (Continued below)...
DonBee
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 5:22 p.m.
Elise - I wrote this long before our dialog started on the other thread. So I will reframe, as I promised from commenting on the length of the contract until it is posted in the future. As I have stated elsewhere - I am not happy with the AAAA and their unwillingness to take meaningful cuts or to make suggestions that have an impact on their membership. That being said, like AAEA, AAAA is a union that looks out for itself. Teachers should be the heart and soul of this budget, and the board should be doing all it can to get them into classrooms with children. Note, I said teachers and not their union. I think that if someone wanted to, they could take $4 million dollars out of the building and general administration and actually make the district run smoother and more efficiently. No one in the administration seems to understand the idea of work smarter, tradition, rather than actual need seems to rule the administration and the way it runs. If you check back on earlier threads, I think you will find I have little love for the AAAA. If it were up to me, I would abolish it since the members are the senior management in their buildings and as management should be willing to act like management, and not just employees hiding behind a union. In my experience in my job, the most dysfunctional organizations I deal with are ones where one union supervises another union's members. I am not claiming that AAPS resembles this remark, but I have never in my career found an organization that I have worked with that this sort of structure has worked for. Luckily in my industry, Darwin seems to weed these organizations out or they wake up and change before Darwin does weed them out. AAPS is protected from those pressures, so I expect with this board in place nothing will change. The students will continue to be last on the priority and the teachers two steps above that, Custodians seem to fill the step below teachers, now that bus drivers are gone.
elise
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 12:44 a.m.
Here you have the 5 year argument going again. The teacher's contract is 3 years not 5, that is a fact. Also, since you seem to agree with many of the principal's ideas, I was wondering how you feel about the fact that they are one of the only unions that did NOT take any concessions yet. I find it interesting they are willing to point to cuts to everyone but themselves, your thoughts on that?
DonBee
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 10:54 p.m.
Mr Thomas - I think the trip is wonderful and the PTSO should be commended for making it happen. However, the primitive way that the money is handled points to issues with the way the district does things.
Andrew Thomas
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 8:27 p.m.
I usually don't jump in on these conversations, but I would like to respond to some of the questions regarding Tappan's DC trip.. This trip is funded entirely by parents and the PTSO, with checks collected by and managed by the PTSO field trip coordinator. This is a very time-intensive job, but there is no cost to the school or the district, as it is all handled by volunteers (I should know; I held that position for three years). The PTSO engages in a number of fund-raising events to support field trips. Money raised in this way is used to assist students who would otherwise not be able to participate. The Tappan philosophy is that everyone who is eligible will go.
Basic Bob
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.
"What's the point of a trip to Chicago?" Scarlett doesn't take trips at all.
aamom
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 4:32 p.m.
What's the point of a trip to Chicago? That just sounds like taking a trip for the sake of taking a trip. Better off to save your money and make DC the next year.
Thoughtful
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 2:18 p.m.
Does Tappan pay for students who cannot afford the trip to DC? If so, why has Tappan not followed the example set by Forsythe and other schools and changed to a less expensive Chicago trip? Just curious? Or can everyone afford this expensive trip?
Ann Arbor Parents For Students
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 11:54 a.m.
Tappan Middle School collected 1500 plus checks (5 checks per student) for their Washington DC trip. SMART? Where is the rest of your article?
DonBee
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 11:44 a.m.
These families are not adrift, having missed schools of choice, changes to IEPs and other key milestones because of the mis-direction by SISS. This is typical of the way the parents are treated by the administration at AAPS, and the board worries about their bottled water. Oh, you want this number or that number, the Administration has told the board, not just the public that you have to FOIA the information. Sunshine laws be darned, even the board took their latest board meeting to a smaller room, away from most public scrutiny. One board member jumped on the cost of special education, indicating that cuts were needed - but did not factor in (at least publicly) that cutting $1 dollar would save the general fund $0.14, because of the reimbursement from WISD and the state level, as well as additional reimbursement from Medicaid and other Federal programs. The administration seems incapable of providing timely financial information and the board lets them get away with it. The board has held harmless the administration, cutting busing before administrative staff, cutting 7th hour before looking at the number and cost of Office professionals, trusting the very administration that is making the recommendations not to have self interest in where the cuts fall. To make maters worse, the Principal's Union (AAAA) provided a list of possible cuts, many of them good ones, that completely exempted their members from any impacts of these cuts. Then there was the rush to a new Teacher's contract, 5 years in length, that has had a number of unintended consequences already (see the other lead story today). This rush has locked in work rules that will have far reaching impacts on the district for the next 5 years. The contract leaves the district with only one way to control the cost of this the largest single contract the district has over the next 5 years - LAYOFFS. This board has dug its own hole, one shovel full at a time.
a2scio
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 11:33 a.m.
Very tough times. How do we get rid of proposition A that got us in this mess?
Topher
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 10:27 p.m.
A J.A. Pieper - You do realize, though, that with Proposal A Ann Arbor folks pay lots in millage money that does not even go to our schools - it's collected by Lansing and disbursed to other schools whose cities generate less money. It used to be that Ann Arbor was "held harmless" with a clause that protected with a bit more to compensate for this fact. The "held harmless" clause was dissolved a few years ago for select school districts, Ann Arbor being one of them. If we got rid of Proposal A, Ann Arbor would actually have much more money - money that our community already puts toward education. We just don't get most of that money back for our schools - other cities get that money.
J. A. Pieper
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 4:24 p.m.
Be careful what you wish for in getting rid of Proposition A - once that happens AAPS can easily go back to asking for a millage when ever they want, and you property taxes will skyrocket! And then, many people will have to live elsewhere because they can't afford the high(er) taxes to live in AA. Would you really trust AAPS with more of your taxes, when they are proving they can't manage what we currently pay?
Topher
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 1:02 p.m.
Yup. It's something like 1 mil of the 6 in Ann Arbor actually comes back to Ann Arbor - the rest goes to other places in the state. I'd prefer local control of schools - let us decide how to fund our schools as a community (let us also decide our own standards).
Dan Ezekiel
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 10:53 a.m.
A comment about the catering budget. Teacher meetings occur three times per month, after a full school day of demanding work with a room full of children. We are then called upon to think creatively and plan strategically for what our students need. $70k/yr. equals about $3/month per employee. Not exactly a three-martini lunch, more like pizza and water before an often 2-hr. meeting.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 1:47 a.m.
@Dan: your response ignores that many of us in the private sector work a lot of unpaid overtime without anyone buying us food. And you know what else? We don't get summers off. We work summers. And... that work includes unpaid overtime.
newsmuse
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 12:52 a.m.
At my child's middle school, teachers sign up & then take turns providing snacks for the entire teaching staff during after school staff meetings. They pay out of their own pockets for this. I understand that the same is not expected during administrative work meetings at Balas.
Chris
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 3:35 p.m.
At my wife's school the teachers take turns bringing in food for some of their afterschool meetings. There's def no budget for it.
Topher
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 1:04 p.m.
I agree with Susie Q. I've never seen catering - sometimes parents bring in food on a conference night, but perhaps I am wrong about school funds going towards that. Either way, there doesn't need to be any food provided by the school/district - teachers can pack a granola bar or piece of fruit. It's less than 2 hours - we can all make it.
Susie Q
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 12:59 p.m.
Teachers are expected to attend four 60-90 minute meetings after or before school per month. This is in addition to Open House, Capsule Night and four parent conference sessions. They do not receive extra pay for these meetings; it is part of their required duties. Sometimes school employees take turns providing snacks at these meetings. I do not believe this "catering budget" is ever used to provide food at these teacher meetings.
buzzy
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 12:23 p.m.
Am I correct that teachers are paid during these meeting times? If this is the case, the current budget crisis calls for elimination of this expense.
1bit
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 10:31 a.m.
When personnel expenditures consume 86-90% of the general operating budget, it's tough to make cuts without eliminating positions. These editorials are getting better, A2.com, keep it up!
Paula Gardner
Mon, May 20, 2013 : 12:59 a.m.
We appreciate the feedback on the editorials. Thank you!