Closing Roberto Clemente, eliminating teachers, busing on the table to fix $17.8M Ann Arbor schools shortfall
This story has been updated.
Closing Roberto Clemente Student Development Center, eliminating middle school athletic directors and slashing more secondary bus routes are among the proposals on the table for addressing Ann Arbor Public Schools now $17.8 million budget shortfall.
The shortfall, previously estimated at $16 million, grew after the district’s second quarter projections came in $1.8 million in the hole.
The district immediately enacted a spending freeze and hopes to recoup some of its loss prior to July 1, said Deputy Superintendent of Operations Robert Allen. But if it cannot recoup the $1.8 million, the deficit will carry over into the new fiscal year.
Robert Allen
Allen projected AAPS would receive about $6 million in revenue from Schools of Choice, its Medicaid reimbursement for special education and Gov. Rick Snyder’s Best Practices and proposed funds to offset teacher retirement costs.
Allen’s first plan would require $7.364 million in cuts and $4.436 million in fund equity, the second calls for $9.759 million in cuts and $2.041 million in fund equity and the third would be $13.455 in cuts.
While the third plan is “not necessarily something we would recommend,” Allen said his team thought it was important to present the board with one option capable of covering the full $17.8 million. Closing Roberto Clemente and cutting teaching positions are included in all three plans.
The elimination of busing for all grade levels, excluding special needs children, was the proposal that pushed plan No. 3 over the edge. Axing transportation for the district would result in a budget reduction of $3.5 million, according the report.
Transportation, despite suffering massive cuts in 2011-12, will be a major item on the chopping block again this year. It was proposed to:
- Combine the bus runs for Bryant and Pattengill elementary schools for a budget reduction of $16,560.
- Eliminate the 4 p.m. middle school bus runs for students attending after-school programs ($84,284).
- Eliminate the midday shuttles from the comprehensive high schools to Community High School ($230,184).
- Eliminate transportation to and from the district’s “choice” schools, Ann Arbor Open, Skyline High School, Roberto Clemente and Community ($266,400).
- Or get rid of high school busing entirely ($545,000).
Allen said parents at Bryant and Pattengill have approached the district about combining runs in the past, expressing they have children at both schools and would like to have them ride the same bus.
“Both schools start at the same time, so we have about a five- to eight-minute window we are working with to see what we can do,” he said. “We are trying to restructure routes to make it work.”
The 4 p.m. bus service for after-school program attendees was set to be eliminated last year. But toward the end of the budget process, it was added back in to the budget, Allen said.
The two proposals that caused the most concern among trustees were closing down Roberto Clemente and the possibility of cutting 32 full-time teaching positions.
Allen said consolidating the district’s two alternative high schools, Ann Arbor Technological High School and Roberto Clemente, would result in a savings of $400,000. That figure does not represent transportation costs, just operational expenses and administrator and teacher salaries, he said.
Allen said the A2 Tech building is bigger and could better accommodate the students. He added the other options would be closing both alternative high schools and dispersing the students into smaller programs within the comprehensive high schools.
The reduction of 32 teachers would equate to a budget savings of $3.2 million, according to the report. If that number were increased to 48 or 64 teachers, the district would cut $4.8 million or $6.4 million from its budget, respectively.
Other proposals on the chopping block to address Ann Arbor’s shortfall are:
- Eliminating the district’s three police liaison officers for a total reduction of $350,000 or about $118,000 per officer.
- Cutting the middle school athletic directors for $37,500. Or sharing athletic directors among multiple buildings.
- Eliminating four counselors ($400,000). Under the existing union contract, Allen said the district must maintain a 350-to-1 student-to-counselor ratio. Right now, AAPS has 250 to 300 students assigned per counselor, he said.
- Disallowing the use of general fund money for entry fees for athletic competitions ($58,000). Allen said this would be for weekend, non-league tournaments and invitationals. The sports boosters possibly could provide funding instead for those tournaments.
- Reducing high school lacrosse to a club sport rather than a varsity sport ($93,000). Allen said this proposal was on the table last year.
- Disallowing the use of district funds for summer band and music camps ($60,000).
- Outsourcing the district’s noon hour supervisors ($75,000).
- Reducing the budget allocated for classroom substitute teachers ($200,000).
- Consolidating the district’s summer school program into one building instead of multiple buildings ($80,000).
- Reducing the district-wide $5 million discretionary fund by $250,000.
- Restructuring the information technologies department ($200,000). Allen said this is not intended to impact the number of full-time employees, but it is dependent upon the upcoming technology millage passing. He said otherwise, there could be between $50,000 and $75,000 that would need to be added back in to the budget.
- Doing away with the early notification incentives for retirements ($40,000).
Allen and Superintendent Patricia Green will make a formal, more detailed budget presentation at the April 25 Board of Education regular meeting. Administrators will give their recommendation to the board at that time.
Staff reporter Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
concerned
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 1:16 a.m.
I agree wholeheartedly about keeping the funding for the band program.. please don't cut it from the district's budget!
Gina
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 4:15 a.m.
As a dedicated student of the Pioneer Symphony Band, I find this slightly absurd that one of the proposals include "disallowing the use of distric funds for summer band and music camps." It has been a tradition for over 50 years that Pioneer/Huron bands to go to Interlochen during the summer - It provides a great opportunity for upcoming freshmen to meet and make new friends, develop our marching and music skills, have chill time (square dance, dance parties), etc. if that tradition breaks, a part of band will be gone. Please rethink this.
Stephen Smith
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 11:48 a.m.
At what point can we at least partially blame Snyder and Lansing http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/01/09/400584/snyder-guts-schools/ tax cuts and underfunded schools
Bubba
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 9:32 p.m.
Speak with any teacher and they will tell you they have been taking the cuts right along with the rest of the support staff. The reality is yes they have taken some step freezes, but that is it. The rest of the school staff have never gotten the % increases the teacher have and have now been taking the cuts. Most every bargaining group has been forced to a lesser insurance that requires per paycheck premiums along with doubled co-pays and prescriptions. Let the teachers take another pay freeze and force them into the same healthcare options the rest of the employees had to accept. As one of these employees who has seen my annual income drop 10% in the past 5 years because of increased benefit costs, the double cost of office visits and prescriptions has hurt tremendously, but absolutely every thing I could possibly need has been covered and for that I am thankful. Why is it then that teachers feel the need for some over the top, fancy insurance at the expense of the programs for students. Give them the same options that were good enough for the rest of us.
Floyd
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 3:48 a.m.
Close Pioneer! It's an old, malfunctioning, unhappy building, and we can sell the property to UM, which would snatch it up in a heartbeat. There is room at the newer schools, and if need be, we could build several new, small high schools and still come out with a profit. Sell that old monster!
DonBee
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 12:20 p.m.
Floyd - Pioneer is an old building, energy inefficient. Unfortunately, given the "sports" crowd in Ann Arbor, closing it would be nearly impossible. Building several smaller high schools, would be inefficient for many reasons, start with the entitlement that the Ann Arbor Administrators Association (AAAA - home of principals) to lots of staff positions, so overhead would rise. Then the need for athletic (not physical education) facilities and you have another school like Skyline. If you look at the RAW surveys that were done about Skyline, the majority of the community input was for a 1200 student academic high school with district wide magnet programs. The result was a Comprehensive high school with all of the Athletic overhead of the other two large high schools. It also meant a 4 year phase in so as to not disturb the existing team structure at Pioneer and Huron. So, while on paper, your idea has merit, the way AAPS would go about implementing it would end up with a MUCH higher cost than you intend. AAPS NEVER keeps their word on how they will spend money that the community gives them. Millage language is always written broadly. Community input is always "refined" so that the end result is not what the citizens asked for. After all, we the taxpayers have no clue about how education HAS to be done.
thefoodandwinehedonist
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 6:21 p.m.
Bryant is K-2 and Pattengill is 3 - 5. Getting rid of this ridiculous split can eliminate almost all of their busing needs. To bus kids miles away from their house when there's a perfectly good elementary school building blocks away is a waste. It made sense years ago to get some diversity, but the area around Bryant has changed to where you have affluent neighborhoods - Stonebridge, Lake Forest - nearby that weren't there before. THere's no reason to keep them split like that.
Klayton
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
While in theory I agree with this idea (you make a good point about having all the newer neighborhoods by the airport), I have a sinking feeling that making Bryant K-5 will cause "affluent white flight", similar to what happened in the 1980s with Scarlett when they changed the district so most of the affluent white kids went to Tappen. Many of the affluent white families choose to pull their kids from Scarlett and go to Greenhills or petition for Tappen. While some of the families in these newer neighborhoods do send their children to Bryant-Pat, many also send their kids to private school, Open or Lawton instead (I live in the community so I know this is true). I could see this "flight" getting worse if the Pattengill area kids were pulled from the school.
Danielle Arndt
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:32 a.m.
Because several commenters seem to have concluded that Superintendent Patricia Green was not at Wednesday's meeting, please let me clarify. Dr. Green is at every Board of Education meeting. She sits on the board as a non-voting member. It is not uncommon to have other members of a school district's administration give reports and presentations. It happens at each of the large school districts we cover. School leaders delegate to those under them, just like in the business or corporate world, in restaurant management and in nearly every other profession. Because Mr. Allen spoke during the presentation, the information was attributed to him. Not every person who speaks at every meeting gets quoted in our stories for obvious reasons. I hope this provides some clarity and answers any questions you may have about the article.
alarictoo
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 6:25 p.m.
@Danielle - Ms. Green's attendance at the meeting is really not where people's issues seem to lie. What is really at issue, once again, is Ms. Green's lack of a substantive voice in this topic. By not being more involved in these conversations, and in general openness with the AAPS community, she gives the impression that she is hiding behind her administrative staff, and has more important things to do than communicate with her constituency.
Linda
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 3:54 a.m.
Mike: In the name of fairness you proposed that, if high school sports were cut, the arts should be cut too. I don't know whether or not that was a serious suggestion. But one point to keep in mind is that the arts are credit-bearing courses offered within the school day, and sports are extra-curricular after-school activities.
davecj
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 2:16 a.m.
•Eliminate the midday shuttles from the comprehensive high schools to Community High School ($230,184). Absolutely. If students choose to attend Community, then they should attend Community. Not take the classes, forum they want at Community and then head back to Huron, Pioneer, and Skyline for the AP classes, etc. If they want the 'alternative education' at Community, then that is what they chose. They can't have it both ways, and have us pay for it to the tune of $230K.
Mi
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.
One of the expenses seems to be busing. We bus children, who can walk to a school to another school so we can have diversity at another. Something doesn't seem right, has this been looked at? Thank goodness I'm no longer part of the system.
a2chrisp
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:42 a.m.
I don't think Community needs to go, but perhaps they could move to a different building so that the community high building could be sold. I have to believe that would bring in some serious cash...that building is on incredibly prime real estate.
Klayton
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:35 a.m.
I worry about the cuts in busing to and from Open. While I do not have a child in Open, I think by not having busing options it would eliminate most of the lower income students from being able to attend. Most of the lower income students live on the southeast side of town and would not be able to get to Open without busing. Open is already full of affluent, mostly Caucasian (some asian and Indian) students. Open is well below the 1985 redistrict "requirement" of 12% of minorities in each elementary school (defined as African American in 1985) attending. This will become even more unbalanced if busing is eliminated to Open.
Klayton
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 6:25 p.m.
@thecompound probably not many. All my friends whose children attend all take their kids themselves (they say they don't like their children being dropped off at the middle schools). I wonder if making Mitchell-Scarlett another "open" school might help to resovle both of these issues? Take away busing but have an "open" school on the southeast end of town.
thecompound
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 2:08 p.m.
Just curious how many "affluent" students are bussed to Open as part of school of choice?
hmsp
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:22 a.m.
@ Sallyxyz: Please define "luxury." I wasn't aware that schools were luxuries. Or perhaps you are one of those who subscribe to the myth that the much-needed and highly-valued Community High, one of the best schools in the state, costs more per pupil than the other high schools. If you do believe that, please be aware that the facts don't support that position. Yes, Community is changing — high-pressure parents are pushing for more and more special-needs administrative placements, so the student population is starting to shade that way a bit. But for the most part, the lottery keeps everything honest. The days of doctors wives hiring nannies to stand in line for days are long gone, but the "elitist" myth lives on.
Basic Bob
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:27 a.m.
High-pressure parents, administrative placements, still everything honest... that confirms my suspicion. Don't expect to pass another millage as long as CHS remains open.
a2chrisp
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:05 a.m.
Its time to be honest. It is time for the unions to reconstruct themselves. I know and respect many teachers, and work in the public education sector, but the way the union is organized is archaic. First, they need to cap pay at a lower amount. No matter how important these jobs are (very important), we can't afford to pay teachers 90,000 a year. And when it comes to cutting teachers, the teachers who are always cut are the young teachers who don't make much. So instead of cutting one teacher who makes 90,000, they have to cut two who make 45,000. Not to mention tenure, which for a million reasons needs to go. So do pensions. Its the 21st century, it is time to move these teachers on to a 403b. They are great people, but we can't be paying teachers into their 80's. Now I am not saying that is the only thing that needs to change, but it does. Most non-profit workers would be ecstatic to make 50-60 thousand dollars and have comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage. And let's remember, these are important jobs, but teaching is a non-profit industry.
Darwinia
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 5:57 a.m.
Ah yes, let's keep aiming at the teachers and rubbing our hands together at selling off property in a depressed real estate market with declining retail downtown. While we are busy tearing each other up, the elected officials in our state can vote to keep their benefits while taking them away from others. Really, it must be nice to be able to serve one term in public office and receive life time health care and a pension. They may have important jobs during their term but we shouldn't have to keep paying their benefits and pensions. Public office isn't supposed to be a for profit industry.
Sallyxyz
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 12:32 a.m.
Adding to my list: Get rid of middle school athletic directors. Who knew these even existed? My kids went through A2 schools years ago and I don't recall that these positions were in place. Administrators need to be part of the solution, and principals as well as the Balas crowd needs to take a salary cut.
misicilian
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:31 a.m.
These middle school athletic directors are responsible for hiring and supervising coaches, organizing the schedule and buses, arranging the officials etc. They also teach, but have less classes. Cutting them may very well mean cutting the middle school athletic program.
Sallyxyz
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 12:17 a.m.
Tough times mean tough choices. Here is my list: (1) Pensions and retirement plans will have to be re-negotiated, and like private business and other entities, changes are inevitable for new hires. (2) I would argue that closing Clemente is a bad idea. These students did not succeed in a traditional environment, and if they fit into the space at Stone School, Tech Hi, whatever, it could work. But do not try to put the Clememte students back into the three comprehensive high schools, "dispersing them into smaller programs." The high schools are too large as it is, and in some areas, chaotic. These students do not belong in those environments. They already failed to succeed in those large comprehensive schools. (3) Cut some of the bloated administrators' salaries in Balas. (4) Eliminate more of the busing for high school. (5) Close Community High and sell the building. These students can be part of the three comprehensive high schools, or establish a few smaller programs for them. Community is a luxury the district can no longer afford. (6) Other excellent districts around the state seem to offer good programs and good salaries and benefits and do it with less per student spending. Figure out why it works elsewhere and not in A2. Identify specific reasons. (7) Do not increase class sizes. They are already far too large in many situations. Overloading teachers with huge classes is a recipe for failure, in every way, even for great teachers. (8) Get rid of more of the under performing teachers in the district. There are still plenty of them around who do little and collect large salaries. (9) The teacher salaries are out of line in general at the top end. Get rid of automatic raises. Salary increases should be based on merit, which is not just test scores. Evaluation of teacher performance is a complex issue and needs strong evaluation tools that go way beyond test scores. Keeping poor teachers in classrooms hurts everyone and no one benefits.
wwtt?
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
Just wondering about that equity 7-12% pay raise for top administrators. And the 7% budget cuts at schools...and the message this administration is sending.
Sallyxyz
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 12:19 a.m.
No one should be getting 7-12% equity raises in this environment.
johnls
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 8:46 p.m.
"Students per School" and "Students per Teacher" seem like two important ratios to evaluate when your district has a big budget shortfall. I found a list of MI school district stats online and made some quick calculations. Out of 60 MI districts with more than 6K students, Ann Arbor has roughly 4th lowest # of Students per Teacher and 4th lowest # of Students per School. We certainly do not want to be last in these stats -- a relatively low Student:Teacher ratio is something we must maintain as a key draw to our city and schools. However, leading MI in both ratios tells us we can probably handle a few cuts in these areas. The low number of students per school tells me there is probably a lot of inefficiency -- each school has separate administration, principals, dedicates services, maintenance, etc. A change there would have significant long-term impact (rather than saving a couple 100K's for buses). As an extreme example, to reach the median # students per school in MI we could close more than 18 schools. That's just to reach the median in MI! Of course this is rough math, but it tells me than consolidating a few schools seems like a very reasonable solution to keep the whole district in good financial standing. Disclaimer: I know nothing about A2 schools, no kids in school, my only agenda is that I pay taxes. Just making an observation.
johnls
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.
AARES, I would agree that consolidating schools does not save money in the short run ... I like the high-efficiency furnace analogy. But admin should certainly should look at long-term impacts. It looks like if they don't make some big changes they're going to continue to have budget shortfalls, just delaying the pain. There's only so much $$ that can be milked out of bus services. Seems like most would rather increase the very low # Students per School in A2 than increase the # Students per Teacher.
AARES
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.
Johnls The whole state has taken a hit, so I am not sure you want to draw this sample for comparison. We want to see how far we are from ideal. On the closing of schools, it is my understanding that AA did look at "superschools" like some nearby communities have. If you are designing a system from scratch, they are more cost efficient to run year by year. But there is a large upfront cost to creating the schools and the year on year saving is not as great as I would have thought. Basically, if you put that many students in a school you can get a little more efficient in scheduling classes as little bumps can be smoothed over a bigger group. But if you want a set teacher to student ratio, you still need the same number of students. If you want art twice a week, you still need the same number of art teachers etc. So you save on Admin, but not much more. You lose on transportation costs and a few other size inefficiencies. It is like putting in a high efficiency heater. It pays off in the long run, but take a while. Now add in that we have a working furnace already and it becomes even a harder calculation to make work.
bunnyabbot
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
both Forsythe and Slausen sit on large under utilized properties, both schools could be consolidated by expanding one of them. Forsythe for example has a ball diamond behind it that I think we used once during gym in three years. The interior courtyards that can only be accessed by a few rooms can be made into usable class space. That large hill could be flattened. Any new extentions could be made two stories. Wines school could also be obsorbed into a middle school campus. Abbot, Haisley and other elementary school s could be added onto to bring over additional students from Wines. That would leave the Slausen campus to be increased to move Commie to. The existing Commie school property could be sold.
thecompound
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.
Good post, Darwinia.
Darwinia
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 7:39 a.m.
Skyline would have been a better location as an elementary campus to avoid adding to the traffic issues around schools like Wines and Forsythe. As its too late for buyers remorse, some other areas to consider are: Why does Skyline hire professional artists to paint murals? I have never heard of this done at any school anywhere before. There are more than enough students who are capable of creating a mural without using funds that could be better used elsewhere. What additional costs are created by the crazy trimester system at Skyline? Is it really showing results or just herding students through many different subjects as fast as possible without time to really learn? Can administrators and support staff be shifted to other areas or eliminated? Maybe the first place to look at results is at the top. What are the schools that are successful? Make principals just as accountable if not more so. Community has been a favorite target for nearly 40 years, yet it is still here and gets results. Maybe the other schools could follow their Community Resource program. It would give more students ways to earn credit specialized to their interests. It would also lower class size as students would be able to earn credit for U of M, WCC, working, volunteering and other options. I was able to graduate Community with nearly double the district requirements because I utilized the CR's every chance I got. My family wasn't rich, and I wasn't ivy league. But back then, we were considered to be the punks, burn-outs and drop outs of the district. Maybe a real look at the schools and programs that are working would be more productive than just bean counting.
AARES
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
I appreciate the desire to brain storm and we should throw all the ideas we can come up with out there. That said, I am not sure what this would accomplish. It would take a lot of money to expand Forsythe, change Slauson to a high school and add on to several elementary schools. If you are thinking of taking the funds from Commie and paying for all of this, I would like to see whether there is a true break even there. Once you have done that, you may save a little on reduced admin costs, but you have a very large middle school, which creates some of its own costs. You also have increased transportation costs. Again, it would take a fair amount of analysis to see how much this really saves. Wines and Haisley are over filled and closed to transfers. So is Bach (another close school). There would be a lot of shifting to make this happen which would have to wrinkle through many other schools, not just the ones you mention. If we were to redistrict, it seems like we should look at the entire system and design from there.
Dennis
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
It's kinda sad to see Ann Arbor becoming a school district that only caters to students who want to take college prep curriculum and a traditional manner.
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:34 a.m.
Dennis, I agree, there aren't enough available options for some of our students who aren't ready for a four year college as soon as they finish high school. The total disregard for vocational education has sent the message to students that it does cater to the college prep student. Add to that the fact that some schools/teachers/administrators treat students differently when they form the opinion that some students are not really "college track" students. They just want to flick them off like annoying mosquitoes.
the artist
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 6:42 p.m.
1. $100,000 for teachers? I really don't think so, I know teachers and they don't make anywhere near this much. Get a more realistic figure. 2. $118 k for police? Again, I don't think so. 3. What about administrative cuts? Not even on the table! 4. Every year we are faced with $30 million in cuts... has anyone added up what this has been over the past 5 years? Are we at the tipping point? 5. All this makes AAPS less attractive to being a school of choice.
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
The artist - When you take salary, retirement contribution, health care and all the other costs that go with having a person in a teaching slot for AAPS, the average cost is just over $100,000 a year. AAPS in their user friendly budget confirmed this last year. Since they have not published a similar document this year, it is the best number we have to work from. No teacher "salary" is not $100,000, but teacher total cost to the district is. Same thing on the police. If you look at what the county charges the townships for policing units (one officer) it is about 3x the salary of a starting deputy, but when you add in training, benefits, retirement, etc it is the cost of having that officer. Remember the only year that the actual revenue has gone down for AAPS was last year, by about 2 percent. Every other year they have had a revenue increase, just not the 5 percent they budget to.
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
You may want to do a little more investigating and by all means include the benefits because we the tax payers pay the whole thing.....salary and benefits....add them up and I promise you will be amazed at what you discover and then realize that we continue to pay this even for the retired ones......now you will see where all the money on your tax bill goes.
Skylar Woodman
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5:54 p.m.
When I'd heard last year that the rumor around town was that Roberto Clemente was likely to close, I considered it unbelievable. "Clemente" as some of us called it was imperative to my education from grades 10-12, and looking back at how I was treated before I got there from staff and peers alike at Community and Pioneer High Schools, I can say without hesitation that if it wasn't for the individualized learning coupled with the delicate balance of structure/near-parenting that the gifted staff of Roberto Clemente administered to kids like me- I wouldn't have graduated high school. This is not the kind of program that should be consolidated with another school, in another building. For a mere $400,000? This is a shameful day.
ChrisW
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5:39 p.m.
I wonder what Starbucks would pay for a franchise in our high schools?
thecompound
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 9:37 p.m.
Now that is not a bad idea, lol. Or a Potbellies.
gretta1
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5:10 p.m.
I wish Robert Allen had taken the job of superintendent. The message might have been as dire but the language would be far less inflammatory and the transparency would be far, far greater than it is today.
Harry
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:41 p.m.
I have a '67 Clemente Topps card. I wonder if that would help.
Jon Saalberg
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:32 p.m.
Anyone who has teens and/or has teens at the at-risk high schools, would never for a moment consider combining those students in with the "regular" high school populations. These kids would not get the kind of attention they need at the general population giant high schools. As for Skyline, it is necessary, unless you would like to go back to the days of kids practically falling over each other due to overcrowding, as it was in my high school days. And people seem to think that Community High has some different set of standards, as far as cost per pupil, when that is not true - look it up for yourself.
Basic Bob
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:58 p.m.
That's why it makes more sense to close a school the size of CHS. It would only burden the other three high schools by perhaps 100 each. Assuming 100 follow through on the threat to change schools. No question they have room for an extra 100 - the portables were removed before they got to 1600 students each. Those free-spirited CHS students will continue to be free spirits, and will fit in or not, make connections with their teachers or not, depending on their personalities. There are plenty of free-spirited lottery losers at the other schools.
bamwow
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:27 p.m.
Roberto Clemente school has to be one of the most misunderstood programs of AAPS. Contrary to popular believe it's not just for troubled students. The staff care about the kids and meet them where they're at educationally instead of expecting each child to conform to the cookie-cutter formula that kids in the large schools have to. Kids all learn differently. Some need more structure than others. That's what's special about Roberto Clemente.
thecompound
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 9:35 p.m.
thanks for your brief explanation, it sounds like it is misunderstood. i do enjoy reading the success stories that occasionally appear on aa.com
belboz
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:05 p.m.
How about making Special Education more efficient? Spending $76k per student, compared to 5.3k per student for basic needs is outrageous. That is over 14 times more per student. I'm sorry, but we don't get the bang for the buck there. And how about taking this budget shortfall into account when teachers salaries are negotiated. Salaries are 85% of the budget, and I'm pretty sure we can find teachers at a reduced cost. Quit cutting services for the kids.
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 6:40 p.m.
Like I said earlier: If the teachers and administrators are not willing to switch to a 401K system they will eventually find themselves without a job. We the tax payers will move our children into more and more charter schools that know how to operate on the funds given to them by the tax payers. Times are changing and public servants need to change also. This is not something that is easy to do, but public employee's have to realize that the gravy train has been derailed. I say that with a heavy heart because it is happening to most people in the private sector also.
Sonoflela
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:39 p.m.
Closing Roberto is always at the top of the list when discussing cuts whithin the Ann Arbor Public Fools System. I was at the board meeting last evening and the one thing I did not here was a plan to cut any of the Superintendents Administrative staff. Two or three of those salaries could easily keep Roberto Clemente open. As I walked in to the meeting yesterday, one of the board members was handing out signs that said "Support Our Children", "vote yes on the Tech Bond". I vote yes on anything that has to do with education in Washtenaw County no matter the cost to my family. I want the board members to Define "OUR CHILDREN". It is our children at Roberto clemente that are already light-years behind every other school in the district in technology, computers, books in the library, Why? It was also mentioned at the meeting that money can be saved by sending the students back to the very schools that have failed them in the past. Roberto has a very successful formula for the children that need the most help in the district. Leave OUR CHILDREN AND OUR BUILDING ALONE. Sincerely, I am Roberto Clemente
Wolf's Bane
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:08 p.m.
It is easy for Snyder to make these decisions. After all, his kids go to Greenhills. Closing CHS is constantly suggested and really won't save any money. Want to save real money? Stop the shuttle programs and end busing county wide.
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.
And my point still stands, I wasn't speaking past tense, but presently.
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
Actually, you don't have kids.
thecompound
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 9:32 p.m.
DonBee, it wouldn't be an aa.com school discussion without someone trotting out the "after all his kidS go to Greenhills", lol.
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:56 p.m.
I doubt balancing the budget was easy for Governor Snyder. His son went to Huron, his children rode the bus with mine up until his son graduated from Huron. His daughter ASKED to go to Greenhills. He honored HER request. He was very active at Huron before his son graduated. So, what is your point?
bunnyabbot
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
Why not cut lunch food service and make kids pack their lunch, especially for highschoolers, rotate which teachers work as supervisors for the lunch rooms. That would save some money.
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.
bunnyabbot - Like Rec and Ed, the Lunch program runs at break even. Cutting school lunches would not save a nickel. Having children take their lunch back to a classroom with a teacher in the room to supervise (provided the teachers did not get extra money for this duty) would save money, but very little and would impact the teacher's planning time. On the other hand the Pre-school program continues to lose money.
DNB
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:15 p.m.
A lot of kids rely on AAPS for their free school lunch, and breakfast every day. Have you ever been to an elementary lunchroom lately? The lunchroom coordinators are necessary, and needed to manage the CHAOS. In addition, there are many parents who volunteer their time to fill the lunch time with enrichment programs for kids. The teachers need their short lunch break, and supervisors are needed when it rains, or is simply too cold for the kids to go outside for recess after/before their alloted lunch time. I am speaking from my own experience at Lawton, which at the time, had the highest student enrollment in the district, and overcrowding; twice the AAPS had to redistrict to remove students from the school (and open Lakewood again) during my 13+ years at that school with my kids.
bunnyabbot
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:04 p.m.
When I was in HS the kids that went to Roberto had to be "invited" there. They were (all boys at the time) the students who were on the verge of being shipped off to Maxey Home for Boys. They were the roughest, short fused highschool "boys", the two that rode my bus home were also drunks.
Basic Bob
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:52 p.m.
Have you been to high school lately? You can find any number of drunks and stoners at any school - ANY SCHOOL.
Dante
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:54 p.m.
I see some good observations, but eliminating transportation adds to an issue. What about the students who do not live on a AATA bus route. Do you think it is safe having a child walk from Michigan Ave. to Meijer in the winter? Someone suggested have the parents pay for privitized bussing. How do you expect the low income parents to pay for this? So if you can not afford to pay for the bus service then your child does not go to school? Ridiculous. Sports I believe is a major part of the school experience. Sports as well as the sporting events brings pride in the school. There should be more transperacy in how monies are being spent, but let the kids compete. Let them try for their school. Huron Women's Basketball brought a buzz to that school. I agree staret slashing some of the higher up cost. Why are there 400+ admins at Balas all sititng 3 feet form one another?
leaguebus
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.
Right on Harry, just forget the ones that can't walk to school all year round in -30 weather, snow, and ice. They are sissies and don't deserve to go to MY schools.
Harry
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.
Let the parents figure out how to get there kids to school. Why is this the taxpayer problem?
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
@Dante - I was okay with your post until I got to "Why are there 400+ admins at Balas all sititng 3 feet form one another?" While I agree that the district is administration heavy, that is a HUGE exaggeration. There are about 25 administrators at Balas. Then there are about a hundred support staff (secretaries, bookkeepers, IT personnel, custodial staff, carpenters, etc.).
hmsp
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:42 p.m.
@ Barb the Latte Liberal: Re: "We couldn't afford not to build it." There are a lot of good arguments to support your position. But the current fashion is to DE-fund education. If this is how we're going to pay for Skyline, that's not right.
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.
Have to admit that Mr. Allen's recommendation for: "Restructuring the information technologies department ($200,000). Allen said this is not intended to impact the number of full-time employees, but it is dependent upon the upcoming technology millage passing. He said otherwise, there could be between $50,000 and $75,000 that would need to be added back into the budget." confuses me. The tech millage funds cannot be used for personnel expenses. So that money will not affect the payroll bottom line for the IT department. I understand that that department has been shrunk by more than 30% in the last 5 years by layoffs and not filling positions when people leave. If they cannot afford to replace the aging technology one would think that having tech support staff around to assist would be more important than ever.
A2workinmom
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
Does elimination of bussing for Skyline mean only the "school of choice" students or all of the Skyline population? If it means all of the Skyline population, can my children attend Pioneer (we are right on the boarder and Pioneer is actually closer and easier to bike to)?
Ron Granger
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.
The millions spent on after school sports remain largely unchanged. It shows where the real priorities are. The board has in the past refused to disclose specifics of that spending, especially on after school sports. When are people going to demand transparency on how money is being spent outside of school?
DonBee
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:58 a.m.
Mike - How about equal funds for students in each area. Right now athletics gets more than $3 million in general funds, plus salaries for the coaches teaching PE/conditioning, etc. Plus payment for points. Plus 3 Athletic Directors each with a secretary... Tell me does Art, Band or Speech have these kinds of resources. More than 50 percent of the Volume of Skyline is Athletic facilities. Band - maybe 5 percent. So, Mike is it fair now?
Mike
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:50 p.m.
If you cut sports you need to be "fair" and cut the arts - music, band, etc.....
hmsp
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.
MjC is spot-on about Skyline having been a mistake. Don't get me wrong — it is a great school, with a great program — but we could not afford it, and we were told so at the time. We wouldn't be in the fix we are currently in if we hadn't built it. That said, it is here to stay. I'm not surprised that the old "close Community" proposal rears its illogical head again, but it would be such a stupid idea to close one of the best schools in the state. And the myth that Community somehow gets more money per pupil than other schools is just that — a myth. As for @ EyeHeartA2, The Black Stallion3, et al: First there were the "Birthers," now I guess we have the "Meeters." Maybe we could combine them for efficiency's sake — not only was Superintendent Green not at the meeting (that was a body double sitting in her chair), but she WASN'T born in Hawaii! She was born in KENYA! Yeah, that's it.
DonBee
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.
Cost per student per high school (based on the last building by building breakdown provided by AAPS - which has been removed from the AAPS website, but is findable on the wayback machine). Community - $8,853 (without the $230,000 busing expense) $9332 with it Huron - 9,026 Pioneer - 8,247 Clemente - 23,228 Skyline - 8,774 Tech (Stone) - 16,586 So Pioneer is the cheapest, Huron the most expensive of the larger schools. If you count the busing between schools, Community is the most expensive regular high school, if not, it is Huron that is more expensive. Depending on how you cut the numbers, you can get the answer you want.
drewk
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:38 a.m.
Why is it a stupid idea to close Community? Oh, your kid goes there. And it's NOT a myth that it costs more to go to Community. It's total cost divided by the small number of students. Not to mention those kids get to play sports at their "home" school. That cost isn't borne unto Community.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
Speaking of illogical - Please explain to me what Hawaii and Kenya have to do with this discussion? Oh, a broad brushed attack. Got it. Nice job. Makes as much sense as the rest of your post.
DNB
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:39 p.m.
In addition to overcrowding at Pioneer, our kids were attending many of their classes in portables, in the parking lot. Trudging through rain, snow, and slop most of the year to get to their class. I had two kids graduate from Pioneer in 2009, and 2010. Attendance then was ~ 2500 students, plus staff. I've got two kids at Pioneer currently; less students, and the portables are gone.
Barb
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.
"MjC is spot-on about Skyline having been a mistake. Don't get me wrong — it is a great school, with a great program — but we could not afford it..." We couldn't afford not to build it. If you've had a kid at Pioneer or Huron recently, you would know how overcrowded those schools were.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:57 p.m.
If we are dealing in economics, it only makes sense to close Roberto, Tech High and Community High and send those kids to Skyline or integrate them into the existing High Schools. However, we know that sounds too logical especially given that Community High parents would tear this town up if the board even thought of closing that school. CH parents are more likely to vote and that is one of the reasons the AAPS administration made their announcement before that tech mileage comes up. They are not going to take a chance of losing those votes.
Mike
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:49 p.m.
@Don BEE - Is putting students in a trailer your idea of building capacity?
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:58 p.m.
PhillyCheeseSteak - Building capacity and enrollment are not the same. All three major high schools are at full enrollment, but building capacity has not been reached at any of the three buildings. Building capacity at Huron and Pioneer were reduced (on purpose) as part of building Skyline. Some of the changes are wonderful, getting children out of Temp classrooms and out of "closets" that were converted to practice rooms for music, others were dumb (taking classrooms and converting them to administrative uses).
PhillyCheeseSteak
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:39 p.m.
Skyline H.S. is at full enrollment, as are Huron and Pioneer.
Carole
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.
Well, it seems that every year, we go through this same scenario with state and city government and the schools. No money, major cuts. Then all of a sudden, funds become available -- happened both with the state and city. And, it appeared to have happened to the schools a while back, but now we are short again. I might be a tad mistaken, but it seems that way. RE: Pension/retirement -- did the school board and/or teachers come up with a contract that save guards long-term teachers pensions/benefits but changed the pension/benefits for newly hired teachers saying starting with 2010. Just wondering. The UM which used to provide full benefits years ago, had the hind sight to realize that it could not go on forever, and changed their guidelines back in 1986 -- anyone hired after that date had fewer benies. Just wondering! I, too, believe that cuts can be made at the administration level -- Noon hour - staff working the noon hour already too a heavy cut when the millage didn't pass a few years back. To privatize them is totally stupid and would most probably cost the schools more that it is worth. These individuals to a great service to the school community and get very little back in rewards.
skigrl50
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.
@Carole - Pensions are administered at the state level, not at the local level. Funds just don't become available, have you walked through a school lately and seen the large class sizes at the high school level, the overloaded assistant principals, the grade level office professionals? The building aren't cleaned well because of the custodial cuts. When they make cuts, programs disappear and they don't come back.
gofigure
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:47 p.m.
@Donna Pointer re:"The students at Roberto most likely need a very specialized, controlled setting. That's why they are no longer at their "regular" high school. They can't cope there. Would the other students at the "regular" high schools really be better served by having them there? Seems pretty snobbish comment from you. Why are your kids at Community? Because they didn't "fit in" at a regular high school?
thecompound
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.
@skigrl50: i definitely agree with you, i must have glossed over the combining part and was just reacting to the headline. I did like DonBee's suggesting of keeping the two programs separate within one building but only having one set of administration in an effort to cut costs. I guess I am a bit unfamiliar with A2Tech and exactly who/what it is designed for.
skigrl50
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 6:19 p.m.
@the compound - But is a school really about the bricks and mortar or is it about what happens in the building. I don't think there was talk of eliminating Roberto Clemente, but about combing two valuable programs under one roof. While this may not be a perfect solution, it makes sense. With only about 110 student at Roberto Clemente and 160 at A2 Tech, when combining both programs the total number of students is still less than nearly all of AAPS elementary buildings. Add in the special bussing to Roberto Clemente (since it is not even on a bus line), special ed support to both buildings, administrative support, etc and it makes total sense.
thecompound
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.
While I can see how her comment would come off like that, I believe she meant that the atmosphere at Community is more supportive of independent learning while Roberto is seen as a last resort for kids and a more structured curriculum is needed. I absolutely don't think Roberto should be closed---there have been numerous articles about the huge strides that principal has made with kids....he is literally changing lives, along with his staff. Roberto's successes are tangible rather than the bunk that Glenn Singleton peddles with his Pacific Education Group (was that on the cutting block?).
Lac Court Orilles
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.
Elections have consequences. Republicans Senator Randy Richardville and Representative Rick Olson are probably dancing in the streets celebrating the losses they caused The Ann Arbor Public Schools. Ann Arbor Public School students' losses are their moral gains!
thecompound
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
never miss an opportunity..
MjC
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:26 p.m.
Are you kidding? What does the district plan to do for all of these children who struggle and deserve extra guidance and care? The only school that should have NEVER been opened is Skyline High. The district leaders knew that Ann Arbor couldn't support an additional high school. Pioneer, Huron, and Community should have been updated and expanded. Ann Arbor Tech School was originally a pilot program, and it makes sense to combine it with Clemente, but it doesn't make sense to eliminate one over the other. Both programs need to be seriously reviewed for what works and what doesn't work.
Beth Wilensky
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:26 p.m.
Danielle - Why is it that eliminating the middle school athletic directors would save only $37,500? That number seems awfully low. Can you get more information? Thanks.
Danielle Arndt
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:26 a.m.
Beth, Mr. Thomas and skigirl50 are correct. The $37,500 is the total of the allocated stipends.
skigrl50
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.
I think that middle school athletic directors are a stipend that a teacher picks up doing extra work after hours. It is not a full time position like the high school athletic directors.
Andrew Thomas
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.
The middle-school athletic directors are not full-time in that position. They are teachers who take on the duties of athletic director for a small additional stipend.
Beth
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:21 p.m.
AnnArbor.com - can you tell us what was said about the Balanced Calendar at last night's meeting? I don't see any mention of that in this article, and I'm anxious to learn more.
DNB
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.
Beth, it's out now. They just posted a story about it: http://annarbor.com/news/closure-balanced-calendar-not-coming-to-ann-arbor-schools-anytime-soon/
Brad
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.
Where's the super? A quarter-mil and she can't show up for this?? Want to know where a lot of the money is going? Right here ... http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/budget/files/2011wagebenefittransparancyreport.pdf
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.
Andrew Thomas - she may have been physically there, but what you don't understand is that the public doesn't hear her "voice", it's as if she isn't doing the job she was hired to do (with a huge increase in pay to boot). Many of us already know that she won't deal with parents, so the community has little interaction with her in that manner. She has consistently blown off parents who want to bring concerns directly to her attention. Do you even notice that a lot of people are voting down your comments? Do you not understand why? Some of us feel that Mr. Allen is the one doing all the work anyway, and when it seems she is avoiding meeting the public, well, how else should we feel? The school board as a whole needs to open their eyes on this issue...
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
For $200,000 per year she should be part of the solution not the problem.
Brad
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.
Sorry. You'd think that she would've been prominent enough to at least rate a mention in the article.
Andrew Thomas
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.
For crying out loud!!! Who said Dr. Green wasn't there? One of the trolls who obviously doesn't care one bit about the facts? For the last time, she was there.
Elijah Shalis
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:08 p.m.
Wow. I grad Huron in 1998 and also went to Allen El and Tappan. Since the Communist passage of Gov Engler's Prop A. We have seen the decline of both Lansing and Ann Arbor's public schools. Under the law, all tax money goes to the State and then is given out equally across the state. Ann Arbor had higher taxes originally but that was all seized by the State and now goes to rural districts, thats right, they are taking our money and giving it to poorer conservative districts. Why didn't Granholm kill that thing? Skyline is ugly and is turning out to be a misadventure financially. As to people's suggestion that Community and Clemente be combined, lol. All the weak Community students would get assaulted, beat up, or worse.
Mike
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:47 p.m.
Elijah - Communism requires the spending of more money not less............maybe you should have studied that at Huron..........
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.
CommonCents http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/budget/files/1112aapsbudget.pdf The numbered page 3 (about a dozen pages into the document) about 5 lines down - the line below the foundation grant. good enough source for you. Governor Snyder can veto cuts to this, but he can't veto it, since it is in the basic law. He would have to sign a bill to do away with it.
dswan
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
DonBee, Can you elaborate on the status of 20J/hold harmless funding? I thought this was vetoed by Governor Granholm; Trustee Christine Snead recently explained on her blog that it was removed. You indicate above that Ann Arbor is still receiving this funding. Please enlighten me - sources would be appreciated. Thank you.
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5:02 p.m.
Hi DonBee - The numbers still don't add up. I think @AARES said it quite well in response to one of your posts above: "DonBee - I know you spend a lot of time with the numbers and I believe you are really trying to help. In this case, you have spent a lot of time with the AA numbers, but not Greenhills. As another person posted, GH tuition is in the $19,000 range (varies by grade). On top of that, they say $600-1,000 for books - which means they are not spending that money. If we say $20,000 to $21,000, that is quite a difference. In addition to these amounts, GH and most other private schools have fundraising and endowments. I do not know first hand about GH, but I know with many private schools you are told up front what you are expected to contribute. It is often a non-trivial amount. Perhaps more concerning, the cost structure is very different in ways beyond what you mention. The public schools must service all students. That includes many with special learning needs, non-native english etc. These students are more costly to service. The federal and state governments provide some funding for those students, but that is in your $14,500 number. GH and all other private schools can choose whether to have such students. They may at times, but in general they are not educating these students. This reduces their need to provide a large range of diverse services as well as reducing the base cost per students. In fact, I know of at least one student at a local private school that gets special needs through the public school. I have no idea if that is typical and how any payment is arranged (interested to hear if someone knows). So we are left with public schools getting much less per students yet facing many more high cost students. That leaves them with very little to spend on the remaining students who would be more like a "typical" GH's student."
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:51 p.m.
alarictoo - With sibling reductions, scholarships, etc, the average income for Greenhills per student is $15,000. If you have 1 child in the school, and are of means, you pay the full $19,500. If you are otherwise, you pay less.
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:44 p.m.
@DonBee - Greenhills tuition for 2012-2013 is approx $19,500. About a 33% increase over the $14,500 number you are claiming for AAPS. 33% seems like a pretty significant gap to me. http://greenhillsschool.org/admission/tuition/financial-aid
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.
Thank God for the NAACP !!
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:54 p.m.
Mr Shalis - The NAACP and other groups were about to sue the state for discrimination, based on the local tax situation. Proposition A was a reasonable (at the time) way out of the mess. AAPS still gets "hold harmless" money and so gets about $1500 per student more than most districts. The vast majority of the state money does not go to rural districts but Urban districts like DPS and FPS. They were under funded prior to the Prop A. DPS still only graduates 1 in 4 students, of those that graduate 50% are functionally illiterate, according to reports. So 1 in 8 actually receive an education. This is the biggest education problem that the state HAS to fix, if we don't Michigan will never dig out of the hole. AAPS is a pretty lucky district with spending that exceeds almost every district in the state (when you add up the money from all the sources), they come close to spending the same amount each year as Greenhills asks in tuition. Clemente and Tech (the former Stone) should be combined in one building, but not one program, the savings from this one change would be significant, without having a much impact on the students in either program. Separate classrooms and separate teaching staff, but one administration and one building to heat and clean.
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.
Elijah.............This is called Democratic Liberalism.......this is what the people voted for on a National level.....Don't you love it?
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
No! They're "Rainbow Zebras!" They're tough!
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:04 p.m.
Here is my offer: 1) Reduce building and general administration by 33% - savings $4.2 million dollars 2) Reduce the transfer from the general fund to athletics by 33% - savings $1 million dollars 3) Combine Stone (now Tech) and Roberto Clemente in one facility - retaining separate teachers, but combining the support staff and administration - Savings $400,000 (at least) 4) Remove the police officers from the buildings, but retain one - Savings $200,000 5) Reduce building allowances for substitutes by $200,000 across the district 6) Drop middle school athletic directors, drop 2 of 3 High School athletic directors, retain 2 of 3 support staff - $400,000 7) Go to a single pass busing system - all grades ride 1 bus - Savings $700,000 8) Sell the pre-school program and facilities to a local provider - Annual savings $300,000 (yes the promise was it would break even, it never has) - sale price $1.5 million 9) Sell the Dixboro school property - $900,000 - 1.4 million 10) Raise rents on other users of facilities - $250,000 11) Raise parking fees for UofM home games from $40 to $50 - $200,000 in revenue 12) Do away with the retirement incentive $400,000 13) Remove the 1/2 payment for the Teacher's union president - $50,000 14) Raise the Rec and Ed fees by 5% and allow it to cover more of the summer maintenance costs - additional revenue - $150,000 15) Consolidate summer programs into a single building (per Mr Allen) - $80,000 16) Use sinking fund money for insulation, window replacement and other energy savings - Each million spent (according to DOE) reduces annual operating costs by $40,000 There is more, but you get the idea, there is room in the budget to fix this. Then it is time to go to the state and fix the retirement and health care systems for school employees. Not a single teacher or student facing academic position is touched in this budget fix.
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:49 p.m.
Susie Q - The original busing report that the district has still not released in full to the public had an answer to the more buses issue. They suggested that each high school and its feeder network start at different times, with a 45 minute interval between starts. It turns out that long bus runs for one feeder network could be short ones for the next and that buses could be recycled 3 times between the 3 sets of schools. It made a major impact on the cost of the busing. It also meant that bus drivers worked a set of shifts the put them close to full time.
Susie Q
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:43 p.m.
Many of these are sensible ideas, but if the schools went to a single bus run, as I believe you are suggesting, there aren't enough buses. Many districts have a K-12 bus run, but more buses would be needed.
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:04 p.m.
PhillyCheeseSteak - While redistricting and closing some elementary and maybe a middle school might make sense, the time to do RIGHT it is longer than we have to the 2012-2013 school year. It should be on the list for 2013-2014. The problem will be even larger areas that the schools serve, and with transportation cuts, it will be a further reason for parents to look to other options. Cutting transportation will in the long run mean that some families will choose alternate schools, because it is easier to do then deal with coming into Ann Arbor to drop off their children, and as the Mayor and City Council reduce street lanes to slow traffic and allow more bicycles, it will mean parents will look for schools on the edge or outside of the city limits, if they don't work downtown.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:37 p.m.
Very sensible suggestions. How about looking at building capacities? There are too many under-capacity schools in the AAPS district, especially at the elementary and middle school levels.
Ricardo Queso
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:54 p.m.
Has privatizing bus service been put on the table?
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.
It has already been privatized!
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:51 p.m.
LOL - 1 Varsity sport becoming a club sport, No administration cuts. Heavy teacher cuts and transportation cuts. The result - Parents and students feel the ax, administrators don't. They sit in their cushy offices, or work their side businesses (yes, that's right several administrators have side businesses) and collect their salary and await their cushy retirement. This is pure scare tactic and punish the students. There is NOTHING in this budget reduction that actually helps the district structurally, nothing to retain students, nothing to gain the respect of parents. Mr. Allen should be ashamed of himself, but then he is an administrator and they protect their own.
alarictoo
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 8:15 p.m.
Yeah. I thought not.
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.
I think @thecompound hit the nail on the head. Speak up Dr. Green! If you have the nerve...
Basic Bob
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:49 p.m.
Mr. Allen seems like the one practical guy in the room. Dr. Green, the rest of her cabinet, and the majority of the board have only contempt for the needs of the community. How they can keep cutting from necessary programs for all students, while keeping the luxury programs for the politically connected (rich) families is astounding.
thecompound
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:04 p.m.
Completely agree, except i still can't decide if Mr Allen is just the messenger and maybe someone else should be ashamed......jury is still out for me.
drewk
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
Why not combine Roberto with Community High?
Mike
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:43 p.m.
Why? Do you want to see the Community kids get introduced to the mean streets of Ann Arbor? Kids go to Roberto because they generally don't do well in mainstream. Close places like Roberto and open more detention facilities. It's your choice........
drewk
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
Donna, that's my point. The kids at Community can't cope at a regular high school either. If all the parents on their high horses could only admit that their kid is just a kid and not actually a "special gifted" child then Community would be closed. That school is a major drain on the whole system.
skigrl50
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:37 p.m.
Makes much more sense to combine A2Tech with Roberto at A2Tech. Where would you fit another 100 kids at Community? It's already burting at the seams.
Barb
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
Donna - having had children at CHS, PIoneer, and A2 Tech (Stone), I'm wishing you had just confined your comments to school you have direct experience with.
DeeAA
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.
My family had a child at Community. Its very central location is a plus. Putting that program in one of the outlying high schools would be inefficient. Remember, that building was originally an elementary school and is quite small. Would you support a millage to add on to that (old) building to add even more students? The students at Roberto most likely need a very specialized, controlled setting. That's why they are no longer at their "regular" high school. They can't cope there. Would the other students at the "regular" high schools really be better served by having them there?
Barb
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:06 p.m.
What?! Can you even explain that logic?
Thomas Jones
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:46 p.m.
AAPS is one of the greatest schools in the state... yet they cant crunch the numbers right? Is it so hard to say we have X dollars and that is what we can spend? This has to be the poorest run district in the state and it starts with the ADMINISTARTION!!!!! 100,000 plus salaries for a bunch of numb-skulls! Poor Children..... I feel for the Children
PhillyCheeseSteak
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:40 p.m.
I notice 2 areas NOT in the proposed budget cuts: 1. Administrator reductions. (For example, why does Pioneer H.S. have 8 principals? Especially now that the overcrowding problem has been eliminated with the opening of Skyline?) 2. Redistricting/Closing under-capacity elementary and middle schools. To "eliminate transportation to and from the district's "choice" schools, Ann Arbor Open, Skyline High School, Roberto Clemente and Community ($266,400)" would destroy those programs, as far as diversity, so that only those children that live near those schools, or have the resources to get there, would be able to attend. Remember when Skyline H.S. was presented to Ann Arborites, we were told that a certain number of students (400?) would come from all over the district, and transportation would be provided. Otherwise it would just be the newest high school in one of the highest socioeconomic areas of town...where's the equity in that? Incorporating AATA into the transportation mix should be carefully considered to not lose focus on the safety of our students. Remember only a few years ago, 2 girls in their early-to-mid teens were sexually assaulted by 2 men met on AATA buses and taken to a local hotel. http://www.annarbor.com/news/two-jailed-in-sexual-assault-investigation-14-year-old-girl-still-missing/
Barb
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5 p.m.
Oops - right you are.
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
@Latte Liberal - If you look a little closer you will find that several of those positions have personnel of the same name. In reality, there are four people.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.
I stand corrected: * Pioneer H.S. = 4 principals/assistant principals * Huron H.S. = 4 principals/assistant principals * Skyline H.S. = 3 principals/assistant principals
Barb
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
From http://www.a2pioneer.org/pioneer.home/administration Including Vice Principals, there are 7 listed.
Susie Q
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.
Philly Cheese, you are either very poorly informed or not telling the truth. The comprehensive high schools have 1 principal and 2 assistant principals. Their duties have increased (annual evals for every teacher) and their numbers have been reduced. They are certainly doing more with less like everyone else.
rkb0929
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.
8 principals at Pioneer...where do get your facts? Bldg principal and 2 principals for 4 grades...that's 3 not 8.
Andrew Thomas
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.
Where in the world do you get the idea that Pioneer has 8 principals? Do you just make stuff up to support your predetermined point of view?
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:39 p.m.
...and while we are at it, we can save a quarter million by getting rid of our figure head superintendent. She seems to make Allen do all the heavy lifting anyway. What did she have going on last night that was more important? More work on the "discipline gap" or some similar nonsense? Time to cut that mistake loose.
Danielle Arndt
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:21 a.m.
EyeHeartA2, Superintendent Green is at every Board of Education meeting. She sits on the board as a non-voting member. It is not uncommon to have other members of a school district's administration give reports or presentations. It happens at each of the other large districts we cover. School leaders delegate to those under them, just like in the business or corporate world, in restaurant management and in nearly every other profession. Because Mr. Allen spoke during the presentation, the information was attributed to him. I hope this provides some clarity and answers any questions you may have about the article.
skigrl50
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.
EyeHeartA2 - perhaps you should address their being no mention of Dr Green at the school board meeting with annarbor.com, afterall they wrote the article or perhaps you should start attending some meetings!
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.
Perhaps because there is NO mention of anything she said or did at the meeting. So, while she may have been in attendance, and I wasn't, it appears we both contributed roughly the same to the meeting. I'll do nothing for $200k/year and save the district $50k right off the bat.
Andrew Thomas
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.
For the last time, stop jumping to conclusions! Dr. Green was absolutely at the meeting and took a significant part in discussing the proposed cuts. Don't know why you think she wasn't there, but YOU obviously weren't, so how would you know?
tmo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:35 p.m.
Does "get rid of high school busing entirely" include the Community shuttles? If not, the priorities are backwards. Can we get some clarification? or is this to sensitive to touch?
PhillyCheeseSteak
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:42 p.m.
Did you read the article? It states that one of the options to reduce the budget is to "Eliminate the midday shuttles from the comprehensive high schools to Community High School ($230,184).
clownfish
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.
I am wondering, if busing is cut what are the actual savings top parents vs if they had a small tax levied just for busing? If parents have to drive kids to and from school 300 days a year at $3.65/gal +...?
leaguebus
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5:03 p.m.
Good comment ViSHa, but none of the commenters give a hoot about poor people. Their lack of compassion is amazing.
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:45 p.m.
clownfish - It would take a change to a state law to have this happen through the district. It would be possible via a private company with no changes.
ViSHa
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:05 p.m.
What about low-income students who ride the bus? I highly doubt they have expendable income to pay for busing.
skigrl50
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:30 p.m.
Many districts in California have families pay bus tuition if their children want to ride the school bus. I understand the difficulties of getting children to school, but really it is the parent's responsibility and not the school's responsibility.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.
Likely not a savings...but these things are about inflicting maximum pain so you vote for the millage.
AMOC
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.
Hey wait! They forgot to count the savings from eliminating the extra bus routes for half-day Kindergarten! Not to mention the huge improvement in safety of the elementary school parking lots at lunch time. Because it was requiring special, longer routes from every elementary school, that should add up to at least 10% of the transportation budget, right?
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:24 p.m.
They should close community LONG before they close Roberto....and NO it isn't short sighted and NO it won't cost the district money. Keep your head in the sand if you like, but during a time of declining enrollment, we ADDED a huge high school. I'm sorry now I voted for it, as it was sold partially as a cost saving. We have the capacity to put the kids in the high schools if we want to make it work. We just don't want to make it work. You can't tell me that shuttering a leaky old high maintainance school is going to cost us money. You can't tell me that selling off a valuable chunk of unneeded real estate like Community is going to cost us money. Spin away, but it doesn't pass the sniff test any other way.
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 6:18 p.m.
@EyeHeart - Your's may be an all inclusive number (i.e. - tuition plus books and materials plus expected donations plus athletic fees). So it may be more accurate than mine. ;^)
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5:40 p.m.
@alarictoo: Here is where I got my information: http://www.greenhill.org/podium/default.aspx?t=126600 9th - 12th - $23,900 Different grades have different costs. Still not sure why the difference between your link and mine.
Barb
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5:12 p.m.
"It does matter if these kids leave the public schools! We don't have to pay a dime for them." Uh, we also per pupil money from the State when people leave the district. Ideally, we don't want kids leaving to go to private schools. We just end up with less.
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:27 p.m.
Other Ann Arbor area private schools can be investigated here: http://www.arborweb.com/cg/t0054.html
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.
Clonlara - Breaks it up by ages and not grades. Ages 5-10 $10,000; Ages 11-13 $11,500; Ages 14-18 $14,500. No athletic fees, though. Because they don't have them, apparently.
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:16 p.m.
Rudolf Steiner - Grades 1-8 $12,800; Grades 9-12 $15,900. "Note: Additional charges may be assessed for field trips, instrument rentals, after-school athletics, after-school clubs, or occasional special events." http://www.steinerschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/RSSAA-TuitionFeeSchedule_2012-2013.pdf
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.
Gabriel Richard H.S. 2012/2013 tuition is $9,100. But, that's not the whole story. These details are from their website: "What is included in the tuition cost? Tuition, student ID, student planner/handbook, school lock, and admission to home athletic events for the student (playoff games excluded). What is not included in the tuition cost? A student designated fee of $125 which covers retreats, technology, and PTG dues. The $375 Ensuring the FGR Legacy Fund. These two items are paid through your new student enrollment reservation. Additional costs are charged for books and class fees ($200-$300), uniforms(depending whether you are buying new or used), yearbook (optional) and athletic costs. If playing a sport there is a participation fee of $175 for each sport the student is involved in. However, half of the participation fee is charged if playing two sports in one season (see dual sport policy in our athletic website below). There may also be additional fees (aka "sport packages") designated for specific athletic teams for personal equipment/uniform. All athletic information can be found at www.fgrathletics.com" http://www.edline.net/pages/Fr_Gabriel_Richard_HS/Admissions/Tuition_for_2009_2010
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:08 p.m.
Oops... Minor typo. That should have read $19,500.
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
@EyeHeart - The tuition for 2012-2013 at Greenhills is approx $18,500. http://greenhillsschool.org/admission/tuition/financial-aid
Basic Bob
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:41 p.m.
@Barb, It does matter if these kids leave the public schools! We don't have to pay a dime for them. Let them home school or spend their second income on private school. More money not spent by the state on these children gets spread across every other student in the state. Let them go.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:42 p.m.
Barb; You forgot the second part. Let 'em go. Greenhills cost $23,000 per yer tuition. If AA public schools is trying to compete with that with Community, that is just further evidence of how far disconnected that school is from reality.
thecompound
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:54 p.m.
While it is certainly possible you could lose some families to private schools, maybe it should first be checked where those that didn't get in are currently enrolled. Personally (anecdotal, i know), everyone i know who tried to get into Community and didn't just stayed at their neighborhood school. Again, these are easy figures to find if someone really wanted to analyze this.
easy123
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:26 p.m.
Maybe , it may make sense that they go to a Private school. Why not!!
Barb
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.
"First of all, where are these incredible kids going to go? Ypsi? Maybe Milan? Please." Um, Greenhills, Gabriel Richard, etc. You forget that losing them to private schools is the same as them going elsewhere.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.
First of all, where are these incredible kids going to go? Ypsi? Maybe Milan? Please. Second, let them go. They are high cost consumers, using up more than their fair share of resources. It will help alleviate any overcrowding concerns as well. Maybe get rid of some high maintenance parents along with the high maintenance building.
dotdash
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:39 p.m.
A lot of kids stay in the district if and only if they get into Community. So yes, closing Community will cost the district money. And that just the easy calculation. The harder calculation is what it means for Ann Arbor to not have an alternative to the 3 big factory high schools. That's intangible, but when people think about moving to AA, it matters.
jmac
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:21 p.m.
I'd like to remind the Ann Arbor School District that 9th and 10th graders (in HIGH SCHOOL) can't drive themselves to and from school anymore than 5th and 6th graders or 1st and 2nd graders. So eliminating all high school busing is arbitratily eliminating transporation for a group of children with no rationale thinking behind it. And, as KJMClark states, will produce little real savings but (as I say) will create huge problems for families with 2 parents who work or who don't live along AATA bus lines. It does seem that Community, Stone (Tech?) and Clemente probably can't all continue to exist. A rationale, fact-based discussion of which should close needs to happen, with the intent of doing what is BEST FOR THE CHILDREN, not what's most convenient or easiest for the Administration to accomplish.
DNB
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:39 p.m.
I think the families most at risk if they cut buses are the families with NO transportation, single-parent families, or families with no support system (friends or family) to help them. There are also a lot of students at high schools who are capable of driving, but cannot afford the vehicle, insurance, gas, and maintenance of a vehicle for a student. Many students simply live too far to walk to school. Our family has options, but I hate to think what will happen to MANY families who will be cut off without bus transportation for their children.
Perry White
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:17 p.m.
Great Caesar's ghost! What kind of sentence is this? Get rewrite! "Allen said parents at Bryant and Pattengill have approached the district about combining runs in the past, expressing they have children at both schools and can we get them on the same bus?"
babmay11
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:16 p.m.
At this point after years of having to cut, I don't understand why teacher salary cuts are never on the table. Instead they talk about cutting more teachers and bigger class sizes yet again. I'm not saying they should definitely do salary cuts but they are never even brought up or discussed. Unfortunately,after years of cutting, this should be part of the discussion.
alarictoo
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 6:01 p.m.
@Darwinia - Take a drive through the Balas parking lots sometime.
Darwinia
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 6:41 a.m.
What about cuts to administrator pay? I am sure the Middle School principal who is driving a Mercedes Benz could sacrifice as well.
jns131
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:45 p.m.
Here is the scary part for the teachers. According to an agreement reached over 2 years ago, the teachers would take a major pay cut and in 5 years? Recoup their losses. So, how is AAPS going to pay for this in 5 years now that they claim they are broke? I can't wait.
Susie Q
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:15 p.m.
Many AAPS teachers have been paying for health care insurance for 10-15 years. Others chose to remain in an less expensive HMO and pay less, or in some cases nothing. Many teachers are paying $6,000 per year for their health car, which is well above the state mandate of 20%. All public school employees are now paying 3% toward retiree health care. Most public school employees pay 3.75% of salary toward retirement via a deduction called MIP. To insinuate that teachers and school employees have NOT taken pay and benefit cuts is laughable, at best; and an outright lie, at worst. With the larger class sizes, there is certainly a LOT of extra work.
easy123
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.
We have been paying for medical since 1993 and lost pension since 1995. I wonder who was crying for us :(
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
"and has started paying for medical benefits" Oh, no, not that! I hope the rest of us never have to start doing that!
drewk
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:48 p.m.
That's interesting. My wife works for AAPS and has taken two major pay cuts and has started paying for medical benefits. All in 2 1/2 years. So what do you mean teachers haven't taken pay cuts?
babmay11
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:43 p.m.
Not getting a raise is not the same as getting an actual salary cut, Again, not sayingthis should happen, but it should be analyzed What if they cut 2% how much would that save? How many teachers jobs would be saved? Show the analysis for various levels of cuts. Perhaps it would be better for the STUDENTS if by a cut for all you save some teachers' jobs and keep class sizes smaller. Maybe not. But do and show the financial analysis, and then have the discussion.
clownfish
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.
"Ann Arbor's teachers union has agreed to concessions that will save the district $5.3 million in the next two school years in exchange for no layoffs and the promise of making that money up down the road. The agreement, which will avoid any teacher layoffs for the next school year, calls for teachers to work four unpaid days next school year, freezes step increases for most of the next two years and cuts supplemental pay next year by 5 percent."-Annarbor.com 2010
Les Gov
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:12 p.m.
I've been saying for years that busing has to go. In the very near future schools simply will not be able to afford busing. The budget dollars need to be spent in the class room, not out on the roads. If parents want their kids on the bus then those parents will have to establish a contract with a bus company outside of the school system. Every year the school system fails to eliminate busing only makes the problem more difficult.
leaguebus
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5 p.m.
So how do the students from poorer houses get to school? We know the rich kids will always be delivered to school some way. Closer and closer to private schools and public schools that don't have the money to do a good job.
Les Gov
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:39 p.m.
A2Reality.did you miss this statement in the article..."Axing transportation for the district would result in a budget reduction of $3.5 million, according the report."..that is a savings of 700% more than you are suggesting. I would prefer to have this $3.5MM in the class room.
A2Realilty
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.
Right... and that would eliminate about $0.5 million of the ~$16 million deficit. That's about 3% worth. It's a drop in the bucket. Eliminating busing will make the school district less attractive which will hurt home values. Terrible idea.
KJMClark
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:01 p.m.
Those high school busing figures look like new math. So all the busing to Huron and Pioneer amounts to only 9% of the high school transportation costs? A little over 4% each? They say total savings for eliminating all high school busing is $545k. High school busing is Community shuttles + "choice" school busing + Huron and Pioneer busing, right? Turning that around means Huron and Pioneer busing = all high school busing - "choice" busing - Community shuttles. In numbers, that means Huron and Pioneer busing = $545k - $266k - $230k. So the busing to Huron and Pioneer is only $48k, or 9% of the total? Really? And last time I checked, the district decided our kids were going to Skyline. We weren't given a choice in that. (We would have chosen Huron, which doesn't have the inane trimester scheme.)
jns131
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:41 p.m.
Currently right now AAPS an AATA are trying to work out a deal where the hi school students can get a ride to school but it is not working out and after last September where children were not getting a ride or the buses were too full to transport, the parents also realized AATA was not going to work out. Chelsea does have an out lying hub they have used and find it is working. The parents drive them to the hub and they are driven to school. I think Dexter does the same thing. I do see a lot of students using AATA to get home in the afternoon and most times if the bus is too full? They keep on driving if there are no stops. Sad but true. Why else did AATA create another run of #4?
Mike
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:36 p.m.
I had one child graduate from Pioneer and one from Skyline 4 years apart. No comparison at all between the schools. Skyline is by far a bteer environment and geared towards learners. Pioneer is a tough school with lots of bad stuff going on that never sees the light of day. If it hadn't been for Skyline we would have mortgaged our house to send our second one to private school.
easy123
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.
Boy, do I agree with you . I think a lot of parent feel this way. What can we do get rid of the avantgarde Skyline experiment!
AMOC
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:25 p.m.
There's one thing I would add to your comment, KJM: there is no additional cost to AAPS for transportation for "school of choice" students. If the parents can get their kid to a bus route that serves the school of choice rather than their "home school", the kid may ride the bus. Otherwise, the parents are completely responsible for transporting their kids to their school of choice if they use a "choice" option. That includes the start and end of the school day transportation to Community High. A very small number of kids move from middle to high schools and between high schools during the school day to accommodate enrollment in particular classes not available at their "home" building. In most cases I know of, those bus routes are incorporated into the half-day K bus routes and add very little cost to what the district already was providing.
antikvetch
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:56 a.m.
These are obviously serious issues that need to be dealt with. As the current administrators are now so overwhelmed, new administrators should be hired to handle the budget crises. Salaries should be competitive - perhaps just a few more dollars than they get in Boulder, CO. Also, to motivate our current upper echelon administrators to work even harder, and to ensure they stay here, ten percent pay raises should be given to senior administrators. Maybe a fourth high school should be built as well, to reduce the new administrator to buildings ratio....
nekm1
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:54 a.m.
It is high time we institute an Ann Arbor sales tax to cover these shortfalls. 3%-5% on all purchases, including real estate. We need to get this extra money into the hands of the teachers and school districts to assure our children that they (teachers) and administrators are financially sound. That is the only way the children will benefit. It is also high time that local legislators appeal to Lansing to allow districts to raise their property taxes based soley on budget shortfalls. Folks in Ann Arbor a prepared to pay more, much more.
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 12:47 a.m.
nekm1 I am sorry, but as an Ann Arbor resident, I am not in support of any solution where I would have to pay "MORE" to a district that is not a good steward of public $$$$. There is waste in this district, and as long as AAPS is so top heavy at Balas, with enormous pay increases, I will not be voting to give them another cent. Ann Arbor would turn even more into an elitist community with your proposal of raising property taxes whenever AAPS feels it needs more money. Many of us are barely holing on to our homes here as it is, we cannot turn to this type of tax increase. WE have to live within our budget, so the school system should have to do the same.
Mike
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
Tax and spend liberal thinking. Move to California if you think that works well...............
easy123
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
So how many more businesses do you want to shift to Scio and Pittfield. Thsi sounds like the Detroit crowd has move here
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.
You have got to be joking nekm1......what world are you living in?
PhillyCheeseSteak
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:09 p.m.
The way the public school funding is controlled in Michigan, this would be impossible without new legislation.
Salbolal
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:45 a.m.
Not to disrespect Mr. Allen, but these are major recommendations, and the Deputy Superintendent should not be thrown out there without the support of the ACTUAL Superintendent....the article does not say whether she was there at the meeting. Did she have nothing to add to the conversation? Or was she not present?
DNB
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.
Thanks for the update, Mr. Thomas. I still think we need to look at making some cuts at Balas.
Andrew Thomas
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.
To all of you who have erroneously jumped to the conclusion that Superintendent Green was not at the meeting, please think before you post. Yes, she was present. Yes, she had substantive input regarding the budget proposals. Yes, she took an active part in the discussion. It is her style to permit key administrative staff to lead presentations relating to their areas of expertise. I do not think anyone who actually attended this meeting would question Dr. Green's involvement in the budget process.
DNB
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:04 p.m.
Where is the superintendent in this process. I also question if we are a little top-heavy with a superintendent and a deputy superintendent. Perhaps they need to look around Balas to see if we can make some cuts there, too.
Kara H
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:59 a.m.
The new superintendent doesn't appear to be particularly stepping up to the plate in terms of being in front of the public and acting as the district's voice and provider of vision, etc. It's a shame, with that salary, you'd expect her to be willing to catch a few of the javelins.
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:50 a.m.
She is collecting a large salary and a comfortable retirement fund but she has no time for these silly meetings.
John Spelling
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:40 a.m.
Again, 1 - Close and sell the Community High property. Redistrict the high schools and move this program to Huron, Pioneer or Skyline. 2 - Eliminate Varsity sports. Replace with intermurals. Worst case, centralize athletic management. Three athletic directors are not necessary. 3 - Redistrict all elementary schools. Do all above before even thinking of cutting teachers or increasing class size.
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 12:39 a.m.
Easy123 - As an elementary school teacher, I see my principal working hard every day. We would have a difficult time without a principal in the building every day. If you don't work in an elementary school, you are totally unaware of what they do each and every day. I will admit that there are some very poor quality building principals, having worked for one of AAPS' "finest" for many years. The administration at Balas does not have the guts to fire a "poor" administrator, after all, they hired the person/people, so they have to be good, right? Once hired, never fired...
a2roots
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.
Elimination of varsity sports is the most ridiculous option I have ever heard.
thecompound
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.
But easy123, they ARE needed, who else could go to all the daytime meetings to discuss the budget and how it will affect their school, lol. Seriously, the principal at our elementary seems to be at off property "meetings" more than he is in the school.
ms24
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:27 p.m.
Eliminate Varsity sports? You are clearly not in touch with what is happening at our public high schools in athletics or how students develop themselves as human beings within a team environment. This is certainly not a solution.
easy123
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
Agree with all these. Whatever happenned to sharing principals at elementary. That was proposed, and the populace erupted!! Come on - You do not need a principal full time at elementary - unless you are a very need parent!
UlyssesWrong1
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:40 a.m.
It saddens me to see that we're having problems in Ann Arbor Public Schools. I'm sure the issue is not mismanagement but the cost to operate the school district has gone up in the messed up economy, while funding has probably been cut in some ways too. Hopefully we get a reasonable solution that doesn't include getting rid of school buses (?!?!) because we should be providing the best for these children according to how much we can spend. And if we don't have enough money to spend on quality education for the youth? I'm not sure where that will go.
leaguebus
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:55 p.m.
The reason we are in trouble is that the Republikans have mindlessly cut taxes for 30 years, and cut $1.8 B from business taxes this year alone. Because of the business tax cuts, they cut $500 per pupil out of the basic education grant.
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:27 a.m.
If the teachers and administrators are not willing to switch to a 401K system they will eventually find themselves without a job. We the tax payers will move our children into more and more charter schools that know how to operate on the funds given to them by the tax payers. Times are changing and public servants need to change also.
kermdd7
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.
OK, you have made your point. I am a teacher, and I agree with you about the retirement system being unsustainable, but it needs to be fixed at the state level! Check out Senate bill 1040.
dotdash
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
Actually, new report by the U of M shows charter schools spending *more* on administration than public schools and *less* on instruction. So that is not the solution.
Tex Treeder
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:20 a.m.
I didn't realize that middle schools had athletic directors as well as the high schools. Waste of money. Cut the admin costs. The Balas crowd are more like the ballast crowd, weighing down the entire school system. That's where I'd start looking for things to cut.
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:20 a.m.
The simple solution to give all public schools the needed money to operate is to put all administrators and teachers on a 401K retirement system and free up all the pension money currently spent by tax payers to keep these schools open.
Klayton
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:30 a.m.
Why don't the retired teachers go on Medicare (like the rest of us will eventually be doing)? That would save a good deal of money.
Chris
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:31 p.m.
Don't forget the state DID change the retirement plans for new teachers as of a couple of years ago. Yes, the majority of teachers are still "old" ones on the "old" pension plan, but as more and more of them retire/leave, the new hires will be part of a retirement system that does not include a defined benefit.
aamom
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.
Doesn't that have to happen at the state level?
AMOC
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:37 p.m.
That would mean we would have to stop paying the pensions of all the currently retired teachers. While I think Michigan teachers get a truly fantastic deal on their pensions and retirement healthcare, even when compared to members of the US Congress, stripping them of ALL pension payments would be both illegal and terribly unfair. The system needs to be reformed, but a move that draconian is not needed, given that we are finally seeing some slight improvement in the Michigan economy over the last 1.5-2 years.
Ryan Bowles
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:19 a.m.
I wish revenue increases were also part of the discussion.
A2workinmom
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.
I understood that revenue increases were a large part of the reason for the 1am raises in December. Dr. Green expected those administrators to have a large impact on incoming revenues.....
olddog
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:19 a.m.
show us stats on the success of the tech high compared to Roberto. I was under the impression that Roberto has really stepped up to the plate in the last 2 years. Has tech hi been anything but a drop in holding tank since Gayl left. We need numbers to prove the effectiveness and we we need cost/ student.
Mike
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:17 a.m.
This trend will continue until the legacy costs imposed upon the school district and the salaries which are out of line with the tax paying community are brought into line in a sustainable fashion. This is what is already happening to social security and medicare/medicaid, they are going broke. As the government gets larger and the tax payer base gets smaller things just don't work financially anymore. Look up the teacher salaries and investigate their retirement and health care packages and see for yourself. You can "buy out " your retirement and leave in your 50's. This is the usual process to remove undesireable teachers, they gladly leave and take their pension and if they're smart they get another government job and work on their second pension. The good ones stay because teaching is what is their passion. We're going to play this game every year until all we have for a school system is retired teachers and not much of a school system. Ask yourself why private schools can do a better job for less money, if you can be that honest with yourself.
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 12:29 a.m.
Black Stallion - some students are passed up through the grades because they have a disability and they are doing the best they can. In AAPS, the parents actually have the final say about whether their child is retained or not. The district will not go to a hearing about this issue, because it costs $$$$$. Another issue relates to "who" the students are that would be most recommended for retention. There are some students who would need 2 to 3 years at a grade level before they learned everything required, another reason why they are passed on. It is harder to pass students on at the HS level, so less of this happens at that level. Some middle school teachers have shared that they are not allowed to give grades under a C -, hence students are passed on in this situation. Of course, in the AAPS, all students are college bound, so what difference does it make if students are passed on?
jns131
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:31 p.m.
Black Stallion? It is happening in Detroit and it is happening in WR. Go figure.
AARES
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.
DonBee - I know you spend a lot of time with the numbers and I believe you are really trying to help. In this case, you have spent a lot of time with the AA numbers, but not Greenhills. As another person posted, GH tuition is in the $19,000 range (varies by grade). On top of that, they say $600-1,000 for books - which means they are not spending that money. If we say $20,000 to $21,000, that is quite a difference. In addition to these amounts, GH and most other private schools have fundraising and endowments. I do not know first hand about GH, but I know with many private schools you are told up front what you are expected to contribute. It is often a non-trivial amount. Perhaps more concerning, the cost structure is very different in ways beyond what you mention. The public schools must service all students. That includes many with special learning needs, non-native english etc. These students are more costly to service. The federal and state governments provide some funding for those students, but that is in your $14,500 number. GH and all other private schools can choose whether to have such students. They may at times, but in general they are not educating these students. This reduces their need to provide a large range of diverse services as well as reducing the base cost per students. In fact, I know of at least one student at a local private school that gets special needs through the public school. I have no idea if that is typical and how any payment is arranged (interested to hear if someone knows). So we are left with public schools getting much less per students yet facing many more high cost students. That leaves them with very little to spend on the remaining students who would be more like a "typical" GH's student.
alarictoo
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:06 p.m.
@DonBee - Greenhills tuition for 2012-2013 is approx $19,500. http://greenhillsschool.org/admission/tuition/financial-aid
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:44 p.m.
A2anon - AAPS when you add up all the sources of funding (state, local, federal, bonds, etc), has approximately $14,500 per student to spend on running the district (including capital expenses). Greenhills is approximately $15,000 per student in tuition. So there is very little difference in the funding. The difference is in the costs. Private schools long ago moved to 401K retirement, and raised retirement ages to 60 or higher. It is not that they have more money, it is that they have lower costs and do a better job of cost containment.
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:36 a.m.
olddog.........please explain to me why public schools are passing students to the next level when teachers are saying these students should not move up? Is it because the Gov't does not want to deal with this problem? It does no good to graduate a student that can barely spell his name.
olddog
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:30 a.m.
Yes, ASK YOURSELF WHY PRIVATE SCHOOLS DO BETTER. Private schools generally do better because they draw from a homogenous group of students whose parents are willing to stand behind school decisions. Unlike any place else in the world US public schools attempt to educate all. Teachers in public schools are working with every student that is placed in their room, many times without the support of parents. How many kids in private school come to school with no breakfast, very little sleep and no homework because parents were not there to help our did not have the ability or desire to help. If we created an elitist school system that channeled the failing students and teachers out we could do everything for much less money.
A2anon
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:21 a.m.
I agree with much of this Mike. But private schools get much more money per pupil than public schools! $18-25,000 per student? What is Michigan, $7500 on average?
A2anon
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:16 a.m.
I went to an aaps budget forum last year. Robert Allen detailed with great care how the current funding of teacher retirements was completely unsustainable, especially with all the privatization of services and shrinking pool of employees paying into it. Am I remembering correctly that retirement costs will soon be something like half the budget??? And the AAPS has NO power to change this -- it's mandated at a STATE level. So it's up to Snyder and co. And the fact that they are NOT addressing this really makes me believe that all this rhetoric about balancing the budget is nonsense, he really is trying to decimate public schools, push a bigger wedge between the haves and have-nots, and out-source education to for-profit charters with less spending in the classroom, more spending on administration, and WORSE overall outcomes. Please remember who the enemy is here. And let them hear about it.
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
A2anon - I am very focused on educational outcomes. We have a lot of issues, state wide, as well as nationally that we really need to rethink. Retirement in Michigan is one issue that HAS to be dealt with, many people will be upset, but it has to be done. The governor made hard choices last year, many of which I agree with, and many I do not. The decision to reduce school funding by less than 3 percent (yes, that is all it was) was a hard choice. The budget for this year will be settled in a few weeks, I would suggest you lobby politely with your Lansing representatives. I can tell you the vocal MEA position on recalling the governor is not helping the schools at all in Lansing. Should things get heated between the MEA and the Legislature, I can only tell you that the people in Lansing will dig in and make it worse. We have massive unfunded mandates from Washington that are eating huge holes in the state budget, and more coming. I agree with getting rid of the inventory and equipment taxes in Michigan, but the state business tax needs to rise to cover the lost revenue. The current tax situation means that companies immediately move equipment not in use out of the state or destroy it, since keeping means having to pay the taxes on the equipment, changing the tax to a pure business tax removes that incentive. That means if a business needs to expand, that capacity may already exist on their factory floor in the state. A lot of hard choices are being made in Lansing, some of them dumb, some of them smart.
A2anon
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:40 p.m.
DonBee, I am extremely pro-public school, and very pro-teacher (though I am not one). I have marched and advocated for our schools all over the place. But I would certainly NOT push back against a change in the retirement program. There really is no choice, it needs to happen. The enemy I'm talking about is the Lansing legislature and governor. They have not addressed the real problem (retirement) and they continue to raid funds that are supposed to go to K-12 (School Aid Fund! Lottery monies!) for other things.
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:41 p.m.
A2anon - If you think the demonstrations in Lansing were bad a year ago, and that the MEA is mad at Governor Snyder now, wait until he tries to put the teachers under the same benefit system as the state employees, or the UofM employees are on. Moving teachers to a 403b (public sector equivalent of a 401K) makes huge sense. Moving all state and local public sector workers to a single health care program so the state can "buy in bulk" also makes huge sense (so much so Governor Granholm tried to do it). Eventually either the Federal health care system will need to change (Canadian type system).
dswan
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:27 p.m.
A legislature committee is discussing a bill right now that would significantly overhaul the teacher retirement system, MSPERS, and end retirement health benefits (for teachers hired after a certain date). I think the projection is for the mandated retirement contribution for districts to rise to 30% of salaries by 2015, from 12% in 2006.
easy123
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:16 p.m.
So now,you want the state to subsidize A2 retirement. How different are you from Detroit. It is time to pay the piper. Get rid of the pension plans, pay them a lump sum and GET out of the business of sustaining someone after they are done. Those days are long gone!!!
The Black Stallion3
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:42 a.m.
Yes.............please explain to us who the enemy is.....is it the retirement system the teachers and administrators have? That sure is taking a toll on the tax payers.
sh1
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:22 a.m.
Who IS the enemy here?
local
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:16 a.m.
Yohan, I disagree with your assumption that this is a scare tactic, this is truly a budget shortfall and the district will be implementing many of these ideas. The millage vote will only add to the cuts if it doesn't pass. I like many of the suggestions/recommendations, I still worry that cutting staff is going to make class sizes go up, but only time will tell.
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.
Local - This specific budget cut is exactly that, a scare tactic. Yes, they need to trim the budget, because they are not getting a 5% increase next year (which is the assumption that the budget is based on). There are other ways to do this and have a lower impact on the students.
Susie Q
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:53 p.m.
Cutting 32 teaching positions WILL increase class sizes whether or not the millage passes.. The district spends more on energy/gasoline and other non-negotiable expenses. The district receives less from the state each year (or not enough to cover the increase in expenses). If the millage does not pass, local, you are correct, there will need to be more cuts, things WILL get worse.
yohan
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:07 a.m.
I hope you all realize that this is just a big scare tactic because of the upcoming school millage election.
jns131
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.
If you don't vote for this? This will happen. It did 2 years ago. Look who runs transportation and what the custodians gave up to not be privatized. I am totally surprised they have not even looked in the custodial division yet.
UlyssesWrong1
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:35 a.m.
LOL I love posts like this, cutting right into the meat of the truth!
1bit
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11 a.m.
Middle school athletic directors? Early notification of retirement incentive?
Klayton
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 1:27 a.m.
Exactly...why are we paying for these things? We have a huge surplus of want-to-be teachers in Michigan---desperate for a teaching job (Eastern, UofM graduate well over 300 every year!)...I don't think AAPS will have any trouble hiring after the July 1 deadline for retirement notification.
Kelly
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:51 a.m.
Combining Roberto Clemente and AA tech is a reasonable solution - because we're still offering better and more programs for those kids than most of the districts in the area. The rest of the cuts are sensible, and will help to balance the budget without directly impacting too many programs.
sh1
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:37 a.m.
I'd like to hear more about the impact of cutting 32-64 teachers on class size. In many elementary buildings, plans are already in place for next year to put 30+ students in a class, even without these cuts.
DonBee
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:35 p.m.
Susie Q - So long as the state system of retirement and retiree health care for teachers remain in place, they will continue to suck more and more money each year. The state has a $40 billion dollar hole in other retirement and health care funds, a hole that Governor Granholm ignored for 8 years. Zero money was put in those funds during her tenure. Then we have the Affordable Health Care Act which added $700 million in unfunded mandates to the state budget last year and will add another $500 million this year (meaning on a $43 billion dollar budget, the Affordable Health Care Act has already dipped into the budget for $1.2 billion dollars) and will add more over the next two years as the full impact is rolled out. There is unfortunately a limit to what can be collected and spent. Remember the average income in Michigan has FALLEN $4,000 in the private sector over the last decade. AAPS spends more per student than almost any other district in the state. They need to figure out how to do it better.
Susie Q
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.
Class size will go up next year with or without the tech bond. AAPS does not get enough $ from the state to maintain the status quo.
UlyssesWrong1
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:35 a.m.
It would most likely not affect class sizes in the K-5 level, but would cut unpopular programs in the 6-12 grade levels.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:36 a.m.
Why isn't the closing of community High on the table Mr. Allen?
leaguebus
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.
Look at where Community High graduates go to college and then tell me we need to close it. We too can have schools equal to Alabama or Mississippi, just keep cutting taxes and programs that work.
Dorchester
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.
Community High is a great school. My home home town Boston had a similar high school called Coply Square High. It was considered jewel that the Boston Public schools couldn't afford. We need to keep Roberto Clemente open and consolidate Community High.
easy123
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:13 p.m.
We all know that community High is for the affluent, and that is why we need to keep it. Watch the affluence move away, if you bring Clemente kids there. Typical Dem town, just like BO and billy bob sending their kids to private schools, because they knew better!!!!
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:51 a.m.
Because students have a right to roam downtown and eat at Zingerman's!
UlyssesWrong1
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:33 a.m.
Closing Community High would be a mistake, and really wouldn't happen anyway. I guess KeepingItReal is insinuating a connection between Community being favored by the affluent population and Roberto Clemente being the school for troubled kids. Which I suppose is valid, but eh it's just a silly comment :)
local
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:20 a.m.
Because Community families would go crazy and the district doesn't have the guts to make that decision. Consolidating the program into another school would work and save money, and selling the property would add to general fund. The problem is, then students who go there wouldn't have the Kerrytown experience during their academic day.
A2anon
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:18 a.m.
You are like a broken record. Short sighted solution that will COST the district money. That's why.
Bob
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:25 a.m.
Close Roberto? This is an insane idea. I realize $$$ talk, but we're talking about a program that makes a tremendous positive difference for students who are not making it (for a variety of reasons) in the "regular" high schools. I hope this is window dressing talk and the BOE has enough sense to to what is really right for students.
jns131
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:17 p.m.
I totally agree. Especially with sending them to Community? Even dumber. And removing the police from the schools? Not safe in any direction.
Harry
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
Michigan ranked 22nd nationally in K-12 spending last year, at $11,987 per-pupil. That equates to $299,675 for a class of 25 students. $300,000 to run your childs second grade class. Does anyone see a problem with this.
Harry
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 5 p.m.
I meant high school principal http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/budget/files/2011wagebenefittransparancyreport.pdf
leaguebus
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:47 p.m.
Roberto is a unique program that works with many students that would normally drop out of high school. That being said, the Republican tax cutters have no compassion for or inclination to help anyone but their rich friends. So cut on...
Harry
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:47 p.m.
I think the teachers union should be the subject here. How about we get rid of teachers retiring with 25 years in ( yes could be a 47 year old man/women retiring). Its very possible the state of michigan could pay that teacher for another 50 YEARS. This is just the tip of the iceberg. $150,000 for a elementary school principal?????? People( janitors) cleaning the toilets at $25 per hour?????
Stephen
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.
Send them to Community! They have the best teacher-to-student ratio anywhere in A2 Public Schools. That will surely help them succeed.