Ann Arbor schools athletic directors to present revisions to budget cuts Wednesday
After meeting with boosters and parent groups over the past two days, the athletic directors for Ann Arbor Public Schools said they feel the public will be more comfortable with the revisions made to proposed cuts to athletics funding.
Athletic directors will present their revisions at a planning committee meeting at 3 p.m. today at the Balas Administration building.
“It went really well,” district spokesperson Liz Margolis said of the meetings among about 40 boosters, parents and coaches. "They had some good suggestions and some good recommendations."
AnnArbor.com file photo
The new proposal will include a recommendation that moving boys and girls lacrosse to a club sport be delayed for at least another year.
Though Skyline, Huron and Pioneer were the only lacrosse teams in the SEC receiving general fund dollars last year, cutting off that funding was one of the points of most contention when the original cuts were presented to the public.
“It will allow teams 19 months to build programs and funds to move into being a club sport,” Margolis said.
Another concern from the original cuts was the elimination of all freshman sports except for football. The athletic directors revisited which sports are still feasible at the freshman level based on participation at the school and an ability to field opponents and get quality coaching.
Margolis said the athletic directors spoke with coaches to see which sports could easily be absorbed by existing JV and varsity programs and which were having trouble filling a schedule.
She expects some, but not all, freshman programs to still be cut.
Margolis feels that in the time since the original proposal, people have become more educated on the ramifications of some of the cuts and the reasoning behind them. Some wondered why a 17 percent cut across all sports wasn’t done, and Margolis said the athletic directors have done a better job of explaining their rationale.
“There is a difference between equal and equitable, and I think that’s been better explained,” Margolis said. “I think, for the most part, most understood the position we’re in.”
Also recommended is an increase in pay-to-participate fees at the high schools and middle schools. That was not included in the original proposal.
The board’s regular meeting, when the proposed changes may be voted on, will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the same building. Margolis said the changes to the athletics program do not have to be voted on by the school board, but they “will to give the plan (their) approval.”
--Ben Freed contributed to this article.
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
AAite
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 9:59 p.m.
Those of you who continue to suggest that cutting the Athletic Director positions have obviously never worked in a high school athletic office, let alone in Ann Arbor. They are already bare bones and working more than contracted to work. I don't think the public understands what it takes to run a school program. Why don't you volunteer to work a day or two and see for yourself.
catcal
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 6:59 p.m.
@AMOC: UM may have 1 AD, but here's a partial list of the people that work for that ONE AD: Senior Associate Athletic Director, Development; Senior Associate Athletic Director, Chief Financial Officer; Senior Associate Athletic Director, Chief Marketing Officer; Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA; Associate Athletic Director; Associate Athletic Director, Facilities and Operations; Associate Athletic Director, Media and Public Relations; Director, Academic Success Center; Assistant Athletic Director/Interim Chief Compliance Officer. Yeah, one AD at UM, but lots of deputies!
AMOC
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 11:28 a.m.
Since both UM and Plymouth-Canton (3 comprehensive high schools) can get by with a single athletic director, it seems to me that AAPS could do the same. I understand completely that the Athletic Office in the comprehensive high schools devote very significant amounts of facilities, maintenance and people to EXTRA-curricular activities. AAPS just spent millions of dollars upgrading field houses and equipping state-of-the-art weight rooms at the older schools in order to match Skyline. I would strongly prefer to see the ENTIRE athletic program converted to self-supporting club sports, and all students, not just the elite athletes, given access to the excellent facilities paid for with our tax money.
AAite
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.
This year there was 1 building principal, 3 class principals (for 4 grades) and 1 AD/Asst Principal. This was a cut of 1 class principal from the previous year. Another class principal is being cut this year (to 2 class principals).
Terry Star21
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 10:21 p.m.
Been there and agree. I think most commenters really mean administrators, like 4 class principals in addition to one main principal and one vice principal for each of three high schools. 6 @ $100k ea. x 3 schls = $1.8M +.
Terry Star21
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
The A2 Schools number one goal should always be 'Students First'. Therefore, you start making decisions right above the students educational programs and extra-curricular (sports) activities. The 'Revisions to Budget Cuts' mentioned above can only mean one thing - administrative cuts and extra personnel cuts not affecting student educational/athletics participation. Please let these freshman enjoy their youth and after school activities while building character, leadership, teamwork, respect - and superb physical fitness.
bemc
Sat, Jul 16, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.
Exactly. Very well said. Academics, the Arts & Athletics make a whole scholar. The best private schools know this, and public schools need to start following suit. Cuts should be made exactly where you said, right above the students' needs.
CincoDeMayo
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 9:12 p.m.
I've read this article a couple of times now and I still don't know what the plan is. I always say "Fair is not equal", however, without knowing the details, a 17% cut across all sports seems reasonable. Why are we picking and choosing individual sports and how are those choices being made? There are a lot of rumours going around. When do we get the full information?
Terry Star21
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
Do ya think you would ever see 17% cuts across administrators and let the students play - NOT !
kms
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 7:50 p.m.
Every article about AAPS expenditures results in several commentors saying that Skyline should not have been built. Ann Arborites: that ship has sailed, the school exists and students walk its halls and play on its fields. Many folks have made sensible suggestions about budgetary concerns but constantly harping on Skyline's existence isn't one of them. AAPS is not going to close Skyline. If anything, Pioneer should be closed. Being the oldest of the high schools, it takes a lot of funds to constantly repair and update its aging structure. Plus the athletic fields are among the worst in the SEC. Pioneer could be sold, perhaps to the U, and could command a hefty price given its prime location.
kms
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 12:48 a.m.
Why couldn't these specialized programs like Community High and Stone be retained in full but relocated to one of the 3 main high school buildings? And are all the elementary schools at capacity? Could at least one of them be closed? People are continuing to leave the state and AAPS is failing to attract students through School of Choice, so we are looking at slowly declining enrollment. I fear these athletic cuts are just the start of things to come.
Terry Star21
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 10:26 p.m.
"Pioneer should be closed, could be sold"...funny, very funny.....
bemc
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 9:28 p.m.
Mike: I was just blabbering and adding some interesting history about Community HS, that's all. By your accounts, those are some much older parents! If so, more power to 'em, they're probably quite wealthy by now! As far as your comment about a liberal student body, I could care less about kids' politics, not my business. Anyway, I doubt that as many high school students care today as much about politics as they did when Community was built, because there isn't a draft! And I'm a parent of a very successful high school student, but not a Community HS student. I do believe that Community has a right to exist, though.
Mike
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 9:11 p.m.
Ann Arbor still has a strong liberal student body so I'm not sure how that relates to the 70's; the kids are the offspring of those 70's children. These students should be integrated into the other three schools and the property sold just to reduce operating expenses. The cash could be invested kind of like UM's endowment to generate additonal (albeit not consistent) revenue. Don't forget we have Roberto too for the "problem" students referred to in another post.
bemc
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 9:11 p.m.
OOPS, I hit "submit" too soon. Being new to AAPS last fall, I also learned that the district has 2 "alternative" high schools: Stone School, which from what I've read appears to attempt to get kids on a college or possibly a vocational track, it offers a day care center, and has a clinic through U of M Health; and Roberto Clemente in Ypsi. I don't think selling one of the three main high schools or the Community HS building is the solution. Selling buildings & closing schools did not help the failing district in the town we moved from in any way. It is sad to see these cuts happening, but it appears that parents & students here care enough to vocalize concerns. It made no sense to me that lacrosse was being cut (I could be mistaken) when a brand new field is under construction! Just sounded strange to me, anyway. People move TO Ann Arbor for the schools, their arts & athletic programs. I don't have any quick answers, it is just sad, that's all. I'm inclined to agree with the posters here who suggest trimming the Administrative/Administration funds.
CincoDeMayo
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
You jumped in there before me bemc - but same point made in response to John B.
CincoDeMayo
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
Like me when I was a student. Community is perfectly justified in being part of AAPS.
bemc
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 8:58 p.m.
John B.: I used to think that Community HS was for problem students, too. But it isn't. You are mistaken. It is one of the oldest magnet schools in the country, founded in the early 70's when Ann Arbor had a strong liberal youth movement, and Ann Arbor was one of the most liberal college towns in the country. Clearly, different times prevail here. But, I digress; Community HS is NOT for problem students.
John B.
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 8:38 p.m.
..also can't do that because Community handles many 'problem' students that the larger HSs don't want.
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 8:12 p.m.
Can't do that. It would deprive them of strolling around downtown at lunch time.
Basic Bob
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
Being the oldest of the high schools by 31 YEARS and having the most valuable DOWNTOWN real estate in the entire AAPS portfolio, Community High School (the former Jones School) should be closed and sold. There is easily room for 400 students within the existing high schools, and it will save additional money spent transporting students to the main high schools for sports, music, and high level coursework.
AAbob43
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 7:40 p.m.
I understand that the AD's chose initially to end support for all sports that became supported ("went varsity") on or after 1990. Why is older better? The sports landscape has changed in the last 20 years. Why is football a sacred cow (and an expensive one at that)? Why not implement a 17% across-the-board cut in support, and let each sport and its boosters/participants/parents figure out how to cover the loss? An equal per-capita reduction in support could occur, thus treating large and small teams equally, and taking this reduction in support to the level where the impact really occurs: student-by-student. Winners and losers have been chosen. That's not equal treatment. Can someone explain why it's better to cut certain sports entirely, rather than reduce budgets equally?
Mike
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 9:05 p.m.
Across the board cuts would be fair and also give the same amounts to each sport at each school. If you have $150,000 for three football teams then they get $50,000. Teams will have to figure out how to do more fundraising and have more say in how their budget is spend with final veto from the AD's
John B.
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 8:36 p.m.
That would have been logical, therefore it was not done. See how easy that is? :-)
kms
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.
that certainly makes sense to me!
Stephen Landes
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
The only cut I want to see is the reduction of Athletic Directors from three to one. U of M can get by with one AD, so I expect the AAPS can do so, too.
a2roots
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 6:56 p.m.
Isn't it time for someone, I guess me, to say why in the world did we build that new high school? Would have been much less costly and sensible to build a building at Huron and Pioneer for the 9th graders. Gee and when not needed the space could have been rented out our adapted to some other use. I would suggest that the Board contact WCC about buying Skyline and turning it into a west campus. Rid us of this beast asap.
John B.
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 8:34 p.m.
Prior to Skyline, we had over 5000 students in total, in the two high schools. 1500 students is an appropriate size for an effective high school. Now we will at least have something close to that (once Skyline is filled). We should have built Skyline a decade earlier than we did, but in typical Ann Arbor fashion, we had to argue about it for more than a decade before we finally decided to fish (rather than cut bait).
Susie Q
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
To clarify several assertions made here. The 3 comprehensive high schools have each lost a "grade" or "assistant" principal each of the last 2 years. HHS and PHS have gone from 4 assistant principals to two assistants for 2011-12. The remaining administrators are each receiving larger workloads and have additional responsibilities in that they now have to evaluate every teacher each year using new protocols and measures. I am not defending them or insinuating that the cuts weren't necessary, but there have been significant cuts at the high school level administration. My understanding is also that Balas central administration has not been cut this year and they are actually filling a Deputy Superintendent position that has been vacant for at least the past two years. I suspect that the SISS administrative staff has also been beefed up over the past 2-3 years.
AMOC
Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 10:30 a.m.
Susie Q - As far as SISS administrators go, right now they are down by 1/2 due to retirements. One of those people was held over as having "critical skills" from the 2009-10 early retirement incentive. Who knows if or when they will be replaced? And if there ever was an area where AAPS should make sure to have adequate administrative coverage, it would be in SISS so that those administrators can help educate the building principals and general education teachers about their responsibilities to appropriately educate children with disabilities. With the game of musical chairs being played with principals, it's not always easy to tell if there will be 3 or 4 assistant principals, in addition to the Athletic Director at any given HS until they re-open school in the fall. Certainly "cutting one "class" assistant principal at each comprehensive HS was not terribly obvious from what's been presented in AA.com.
DonBee
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 5:17 p.m.
CLX - No AAPS will not cut AD's and staff. They like having $140,000 a year people fixing the gate to the football field and solving little crisis issues. As soon as the board gave the job to the AD's, the AD's knew their job was safe. The same thing goes for the grade principals and other EXTRA overhead. They (The board and administration) know that if they cut enough teachers, sports and other items that directly impact students, they will get parents up in arms and more likely to vote them more money. Which, will let them add even more overhead. Next year again will be painful, because they did not fix any real structural problems this year. They just chopped teachers, sports and other items that will come back around for funding in a year or two. Restructuring the administration of the schools is a key change that needs to happen to stop the bleeding in the classroom and elsewhere.
Terry Star21
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
You get it ! And you got it ! Been trying to tell people this for years - every year since the seventies there was talk of laying off teachers sending a fright to the newer teachers. None were laid off. Not nearly as common with sports, but happens. No sports cuts. Do you think these A2 Admin's were born yesterday - like the high price attorneys, they know how to work the public for money.
catcal
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 6:38 p.m.
As a parent with kids in sports at Huron, I would hate to move to a model where schools share an AD. ADs work very long hours and deal with many diverse groups (students, coaches, parents, staff, trainers, etc) in an effort to have safe programs that are enjoyable and enriching for the students that choose to participate and that reflect well on AAPS. @DonBee - it is mean and unfair to characterize the AD's position as "fixing the gate to the football field and solving little crisis issues" and reflects a lack of any information close to the situation. There are often very serious "crisis issues" and each school needs an AD available when they arise. In addition, at least at Huron I know that there will be one less grade principal there next year. I don't know about the other high schools.
Jrileyhoff
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 5:22 p.m.
Well said, DonBee. And, they are already asking for money since an increase in the pay-to-play fees are included in this proposal.
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 5:13 p.m.
"The athletic directors revisited which sports are still feasible at the freshman level based on participation at the school and an ability to field opponents and get quality coaching." And those sports are...?
CLX
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
Do we need 3 full-time ADs? Was that ever part of the discussion? Seems to me that the schools will never cut the true fat when they put all of the power to frame the issues into the hands of the administrators. Ballas did the same thing - cut the teachers but never the administrators making the decisions.
Red
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.
The last sentence in the article reads: Margolis said the changes to the athletics program do not have to be voted on by the school board, but they "will to give the plan (their) approval." Sounds like everything is decided - could you go ahead and post the revised plan and the process used to develop the plan?
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 4:27 p.m.
whatever the new plan is, its completely unacceptable because they gored my Ox and didn't consult me. Sincerely, angry citizen #973
John B.
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 8:28 p.m.
I believe Craig was being sarcastic.
Dontgetdeked
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.
Seriously? They don't need to consult you or your ox. Oh, wait. You must be their boss. My apologies. Or, are you just another parent who thinks he knows more than the experts?
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 4:21 p.m.
Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of funding sports, but........ Generally, this "fire for effect" garbage the school district trots out over again and again really gets old after awhile. Something about crying wolf over and over gets old.