Great teachers, not an overpaid superintendent, are the key to success in Ann Arbor schools
Ann Arbor School Board President Deb Mexicotte recently stated that “it's only going to get more challenging over the next couple of years to at least maintain high level programs" as justification for supporting a 36 percent raise for the incoming superintendent.
The mission of the Ann Arbor Schools is teaching and educating students. Doubtless there are many factors involved (like parents) but great teachers inspire and educate great students, which makes for a great school district, not an incoming superintendent with a 36 percent raise, or the scores of highly compensated administrators who are not based in the classroom.
Why don't we hire a search firm to recruit great teachers nationally? Or, better still, why don't we reward the teachers we have to excel and fund that initiative with less administrative overhead? Great teachers in the classroom who are rewarded for staying the course are the key to success for any school district - not administrators who come and go.
Ray Digby Ann Arbor
Comments
DonBee
Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 7:47 a.m.
@Nephilim - According to the 2010-2011 budget School Administration (as opposed to General Administration) is budgeted at $12,607,206 or about $765 per student in the district. Yes, each High School has 5 Principals and there are 1 or 2 "Principals" who are not assigned to any school or grade, based on the "Easy to Read Budget" published last year. AAPS is VERY top heavy, based on any measure you can use.
tmo
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 9:10 p.m.
The sitting Board members run un-opposed for their seats and then act deaf to criticism, believing the community will lay down, play dead, and forget. It's time to show them it isn't business as usual. A recall of the four members who voted to take this outrageous action might get their attention... http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/AAPS-Board-of-Education-Recall/145927015455384
Nephilim
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:57 p.m.
Does Huron High School still have a principal for every grade plus an administrator and an asst. Administrator and a head principal above and beyond the ones for each grade? How much does a mess like that cost?
SalineMom
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.
@PaperTigerSaline, Can you please explain your statement: "Just like Saline Area Schools, there's too many high-paid administrators." When compared to all the districts in the county, Saline runs probably the most efficient administration. Years ago we had minimum of two principals in every building and a houseload at central office, but those days have been long gone. They didn't even replace the head of human resources who retired last year. All the admins took some form of pay-reduction/health benefit change last year. So please, explain your statement with some facts....
Mature Townie
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4 p.m.
Before commenting, "Dr. I. Emsayin," and others, get your facts straight, please. When I applied years ago for a middle school teaching position, I was first interviewed by a panel of 7. Then, after that screening process, I submitted a written lesson plan. The lesson was then taught to a classroom of school staff and parents. I enjoyed teaching at that middle school for many years, thank you very much. BTW-My husband taught in the A2 School for 32 years. When he retired, he requested an exit interview from our now outgoing superintendent. He went to the supers office, plus emailed to set a date/time. An appointment was never granted! That says volumes to long paying Ann Arbor tax payers! Let's hire a superintendent that will respond to and work for ALL students, staff and faculty. Re: Health Care costs for teachers. We had $500. deducted, per month, from the paycheck, to cover Messa Health Care, the last few years he taught.
Speechless
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 2:37 p.m.
Over the last generation, while the national economy has gone into general decline, there has been this parallel rise in the "great leader" mentality. This exists as a dysfunctional alternative to making a serious effort to fix the deep, systemic causes of the social and economic ills which spread widely across society. Instead, we more actively seek to install charismatic, autocratic leadership who will make bold statements and wave magic wands while claiming they can make things well again without significantly challenging the underlying structural problems. The lanslide victories of Reagan and Obama both benefitted heavily from a hero-seeking mentality. Because, as a society, we no longer weem willing to organize large-scale grassroots campaigns to intelligently confront our social problems, we compensate by projecting almost supernatural qualities onto top level bureaucrats. In the vacuum created by a lack of community involvement in social decisions, our elite paper-pushers have increasingly become refashioned as potential, real-life Marvel Comics superheroes. The school board majority has voted to buy into the hero-seeking mentality, however lazy and cynical that may be. Why show genuine leadership when you can poach a "hero" from another school district? Again, the local board is hardly alone in this, as it merely emulates avoidance behavior afflicting the corporate sector as well as various non-profit and public organizations. A rational, constructive response to the hero mentality could begin by building a renewed activism and a more direct collaboration among PTO parents and teachers. It can also include supportive groups and individuals both inside and outside the district. This would demonstrate real, grassroots community leadership. The school board could opt to join in and support or promote an initiative like this, if they could find that within themselves.
sh1
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 2:13 p.m.
@Bruno, please don't let your anger confuse the facts. Teachers do not get paid for summer vacation. The AAEA is far from being "strongest union in the nation." Nor is the MEA or the NEA. Finally, their benefits are not "free." If you would look at recent contracts you'll see teachers taking cuts to health insurance, retirement, and salary.
win
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 12:47 p.m.
Do good work, then get paid. or is it get paid whether you do good work or not. I get confused sometimes......
bruno_uno
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.
great job Ray....lets get raises for all teachers, lets show Michigan taxpayers that we do not need to listen to anyone but our own voice. the strongest union in the nation lives and will not be halted by rhetoric by state officials telling us they are up to their knees in debt and that the michigan economic woes continue to make the everyday worker who pays for teacher summer vacations, free benefits, and high salaries need to be quiet and pay more. michigans future is not the children, it is the teachers salaries and no benefits, this is what makes great teachers and this is what will pave the future of success for our great state.
Tree Logger
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 12:08 p.m.
We all know those with the most responsibility and power do the real work. An island of administrators, executives, and shareholders would revel in blood gushing riches. Imagine a world where there were ten administrators for every child. What an education they would have!
DonAZ
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 11:38 a.m.
George Will said it best in a recent column: 'Bureaucracies try to maximize their missions. They can't help themselves. Adult supervision is required to stand athwart this tendency, yelling "Stop!"' This tendency to bloat the administrative overhead is a feature of every bureaucracy I've ever seen, public and private.
Lisa Starrfield
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 10:40 a.m.
This announcement was really a slap in the face to every Ann Arbor Public School employee who lost their job or took a paycut this year. I guess the $6000 I am losing wasn't really needed, was it?
Tree Logger
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
To not reward Kings richly for their gracious guidance with mere mortal flesh and soul is an affront to the Heavens. In ancient times we ran about, naked savages, starving in ramshackle mud huts. It is their Grace alone that has brought us forth from this cursed monkey past. Send these thankless, spoiled children to the sweatshops and their greedy, selfish teachers to the soup lines. Pile their salaries together to offer as plunder for the next superintendent. Lord knows it's the only way.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:59 a.m.
I'm all for great teachers and all for paying them well for their greatness. But in my opinion it starts with teachers demanding greatness of themselves and their peers instead of defending mediocrity and borderline incompetence. I have 3 daughters who went K-12 through Ann Arbor and they had some excellent teachers. They also had some mediocre teachers, some bad teachers and some teachers just collecting a paycheck.
Dr. I. Emsayin
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:57 a.m.
If teachers had to actually teach as part of their interview it would help those hiring make a better decision. Universities have potential professors spend a week teaching and meeting with various constituents before getting hired. Why should college teachers be more important than high school teachers in the educational process? After all, it is the college teachers who complain that the high school students are not skilled enough for college work. The process and politics behind the hiring of public school teachers does not always result in the most skilled candidate getting the job. Of course, the same could be said for how a superintendent is hired, I suppose.
Sherlock
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:53 a.m.
Exactly. WHEN is house ever going to be cleaned in this county's school "systems"? It's very clear that AA, at least, needs a new board president, if not board.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:49 a.m.
"I'm always curious to know how people determine if someone is over paid." how about when they get a 36% increase from the last holder of the position and they haven't done anything to deserve it?
5c0++ H4d13y
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:27 a.m.
I'm always curious to know how people determine if someone is over paid.
Gloriagirl
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:26 a.m.
No need to wait for the next school board election, a recall of "out of touch" board members should start now. No amount of money thrown at this dysfunctional organization will fix the real problems of the school district. Taking cues from the successful KIP programs across the country would be a first step in bringing focus back to students and their teachers.
Brad
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:11 a.m.
AA schools are in the red over 3 million this year. Doesn't seem like the time for a $65K hike for *anyone*. Is there anything the city won't overpay for?
PaperTigerSaline
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:08 a.m.
Just like Saline Area Schools, there's too many high-paid administrators. Let's get back to concentrating on the people that actually DO the work, i.e., the teachers. In these days and times, it's ridiculous to be paying a superintendent that much money. Even though the salary does not come out of the "operating funds" per se, I can guarantee that every time a request for more funds for ANYTING comes around, the voters will vote "no". I bet the voters are wondering when the next Board election will be held......
Bulldog
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:02 a.m.
I couldn't have said it better, Ray! Have you thanked a teacher today?