Andy Thomas: Ann Arbor superintendent's departure could be 'turning point' for board
As the Ann Arbor Board of Education prepares to meet this week to discuss strategies for hiring another superintendent, continuity in leadership is weighing heavily on the mind of at least one trustee.
"For whatever reason, this district chews up superintendents and spits them out," said board Secretary Andy Thomas.
Andy Thomas
Green signed a five-year contract with the AAPS in March 2011. At the time, she assured trustees: "I intend to be around a long time and I'm delighted to have that opportunity."
Green's reasons for deciding to retire at the end of her second year with the district are unknown. After several attempts to reach Green for comment Thursday and Friday, district spokeswoman Liz Margolis told reporters the superintendent "will not be doing any interviews" on her resignation.
While the public doesn't know why Green has chosen to leave AAPS, Thomas said he believes the board's functionality is a factor — one of many, but a significant factor nonetheless — for why the district seems to struggle to retain superintendents.
Ann Arbor Superintendent Resigns
Previous Coverage:
- Replacing Patricia Green: Ann Arbor could get free superintendent search under guarantee from last one
- Fit to serve: Ann Arbor school board to weigh options for interim superintendent
- Patricia Green's resignation letter to Ann Arbor board stresses zero-based budgeting
- Board members: Ann Arbor schools will bounce back from superintendent resignation
- Ann Arbor superintendent's resignation shocks school community
- Poll: Rate Patricia Green's tenure as Ann Arbor schools superintendent
- Ann Arbor schools Superintendent Patricia Green resigns
He said Green's departure could be a "turning point" for the board and for the district: "We need to decide: do we want stable leadership, or do we want to be revolving door?"
"One might think Ann Arbor is a really plum position. It's a great district, great location, wonderful university environment, but it's easy for a superintendent to be caught up in the crosscurrents and the competing elements of support and dissent that are fighting within the district," Thomas said.
"I think that finding someone to outlast that is not necessarily going to be easy, given our track record, and that we need to do some soul searching as a board ... about what we might have done differently to make things easier for a new superintendent."
Thomas recognized that some elements of the district's environment are outside of the board's control. He said Green has endured a lot since coming to the district.
"She has been a victim of character assassination by people cowardly enough to not use their real names (on AnnArbor.com) ... Some of the things that have been said in public commentary at the board meetings have bordered on personal attacks. The op-ed piece and the (budget recommendations) the (Ann Arbor Administrators Association) president published were not helpful," Thomas said. "A lot of things have made the job ... very hard to do."
He also said Green suffered repeatedly for a salary she had nothing to do with.
The school board set the $245,000 base salary in the early stages of its 2010 search, before candidates had been identified. It was a move that elicited significant public outcry. At the time, trustees argued the $65,000 hike from the previous base salary was necessary to attract and retain top talent.
"(Green) wore that albatross around her neck the entire time she was here ... I hope the board will be able to consider that experience and take it into account this next time around," Thomas said.
Among the items Thomas said the board can control and should be thinking seriously about are:
- Looking to see what trustees can do to speak with one voice rather than fragmented voices.
- Looking at what the board can do to support the superintendent with making difficult choices that it knows are going to be unpopular among various groups in the school community.
- Communicating more with the public on tough issues like the budget.
The board recently took some steps to improve its functionality. It passed an "affirmation of boardsmanship" or a set of standards, principles and behaviors for trustees to adhere to around the board table. It also approved a new committee structure to streamline the work of the board and a five-hour time limit for regular meetings to prevent these meetings from lasting until past 1 a.m.
Thomas said these measure are a good start, but the board also needs to move away from hashing out its differences or criticisms of the administration during televised board meetings.
Simone Lightfoot
But Trustee Simone Lightfoot disagrees: "I don't know that (Green's resignation) is a negative reflection of the board as much as some may want to automatically gravitate to. The board did do thorough job of searching and looking for a superintendent. We can always learn, but we supported the superintendent — the overall board — and I don't think she would say differently."
Thomas said one of the things the board wanted in a superintendent during its last search was a candidate like Green who had experience working in a university town and who could be instrumental in forging alliances with the University of Michigan. The board also wanted someone who could be influential at the state level as an advocate for public education in Michigan, he said.
"And Green did an excellent job at all of that, but the public was not always interested," he said, adding parents were more interested and tuned in when their child's bus stop was relocated.
He said the board needs to look at what characteristics and skills are most important to the Ann Arbor community.
"We may find that what we thought was important, may be less important than some other things," he said. "I think it's going to take a fair amount of soul searching and time to figure it out this time."
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
Danielle Arndt
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 3:18 p.m.
I heard that Andy Thomas was on the Lucy Ann Lance show yesterday morning. I missed it, but did anyone else catch it? I heard it was somewhat of a continuation of the thoughts/interview he shared with me.
Wake Up A2
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 10:57 a.m.
I wish this wouldn't fall on deaf ears, but I know it is. We need to change and fast. Slow change like over the last two years has got us in deeper then before. I wish the Super would right some of the bad situations in our schools before the end of the year instead of leaving for the next person to fix. AYP is a big deal and so is your staff.
Gretchen Ridenour
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 1:06 a.m.
Really? It took until 2013 to pass an "affirmation of boardsmanship": set of standards, principles and behaviors for trustees to adhere to around the board table? Robert's Rules have been around since 1876!
Retiree Newcomer
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:37 p.m.
There is something functionally wrong with the way the Ann Arbor School Board functions if there have been 12 superintendents over the past 36 years as one educator reported recently. That's an average tenure of just over three years. The board needs to ask itself why this has become a revolving door position. Now, with Green's departure, there is very little longevity among the remaining assistant superintendents either. A new learning curve will begin with a new superintendent as that oerson acclimates to her/his new district and the assistants acclimate to a new leader. What is wrong here? Also, the board should establish a firm policy of making no decisions after 11:00 PM. Meetings become disfunctional after a certain number of hours, and any decisions made at 1:00 AM effectively shut out the public and are likely to be poor decisions,.
DonBee
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 10:46 a.m.
Retiree Newcomer - Most of those Superintendents left for larger districts. Ann Arbor is the right size to get your "training wheels" to run a major Metro district. Because the town contains so many families with higher education and so many enrichment opportunities outside of the schools, getting high achievement from enough students to put Ann Arbor near the top of many lists is easier than most districts, so coming to Ann Arbor makes a great stepping stone to the next, bigger thing. Keeping Superintendents is the hard part, not finding them. If I wanted to live in San Diego and run the schools there, Ann Arbor would be one of 5 or 6 districts I would apply to nationally to end up there or in other larger districts. This is going to happen, get used to it. Only a 2 or 3 Superintendents left because of poor performance in 36 years. I would not be surprised if Dr. Green shows up on several lists of candidates for Superintendent elsewhere after her time in Ann Arbor - that is not to say she is interested or would take a job, but the reputation the district has means she will show up on the lists.
Bob
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 9:49 p.m.
Quite an interesting response from several people. I don't believe in being anonymous, as it makes it difficult to judge the reliability of the input. Not that my input in reliable, but it is honest: 1. I have had five children go through the AA schools, so I feel I have a right to offer an opinion, even though I am now a Belleville resident. 2. Paren Input - any decent administrator should listen to parents. They should set up a method where parents have input and are responded to. 3. New Board? For goodness sakes, get out and vote! 4 Salary is not the issue - AA did not have to offer the salary that they did, but they did, so get over it. 5. Anonymity - get over it, some people are just not comfortable using their real names, and the reasons are endless. 6. New Supt? You let Mr. Allen go - a huge loss. I suggest you look within. Choose someone who knows Ann Arbor and will be assertive. Bob Galardi (retired) comes to mind, but I'm sure there are active administrators who would do a good job. PLEASE choose someone who lives and dies AA schools and undertands the community; You do not have to go outside. You also do not have to pay 245,000 to attract a "qualified candidate". Please, do it right this time.
donderop
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 11:20 a.m.
The board didn't let Mr. Allen go; it was his choice to join his former boss. Interesting timing, considering the budget surprise he lobbed at the board a few weeks earlier.
Dwight Cendrowski
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 8:45 p.m.
I request that annarbor.com require everyone commenting on stories to sign their full name. It has been a long established, journalistic tradition for letters to the editor to be signed with first and last names. It should be no different now in the digital age. Allowing people to hide behind pseudonyms allows irresponsible and sometimes vicious comments to be made without responsibility. Of course many comments made anonymously are thoughtful and appropriate. But I think that if you have an opinion you should have the guts to stand behind that opinion and identify yourself.
lynel
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 12:15 a.m.
As I posted above: When annarbor.com first started I used my real name. One night I got 2 middle-of -the night, anonymous phone calls, which referred to a position I took on abortion. Because I'm in the phonebook someone was able to get my phone number, oh and my address. SCARY
DonBee
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 9:55 p.m.
Mr. Cendrowski - Some of us have children in the district and might see significant retaliation. Some of us have jobs that might disappear if we signed our names. Some of us have neighbors who are on the other side of some of these issues and it would make living in the neighborhood hard. There is a long tradition in the US of anonymous information too. Think "Common Sense" one of the key documents that created the United States, or "Deep Throat" that brought down the Nixon administration. Not all letters and editorials, even before the age of the internet were signed with real names. Sorry to disappoint you.
demistify
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 8:20 p.m.
"Looking to see what trustees can do to speak with one voice rather than fragmented voices." Amazing! This Board already shows about as much diversity of opinion as the government of Iran. Would Andy prefer North Korea as a role model?
Wake Up A2
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 7:28 p.m.
Now that the board and their balas bandits took 3% away from their teachers under a false 20 million dollar deficit. Will you give that money back, Andy? Or build more bad blood with your teaching staff?
jns131
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 6:03 p.m.
Attract and retain talent. Yup you folks certainly did that alright. Especially at the expense of AAPS parents and staff.
David Cahill
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 5:45 p.m.
Well, I'm courageous enough to use my real name here. I wish more folks would follow my sterling example.
Stuart Brown
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 3:51 a.m.
David, Look what happens to CNN reports when they tweet or publish the most mild forms of criticism of the state of Israel. The fact is, most people in Ann Arbor work for an employer who will fire people who speak their mind (if your boss cares about your opinion, he'll dam well tell you what it ought to be.) This is the same reason why I think it is foolish for voters in Ann Arbor to elect council people with a paycheck coming from UofM; they will be fired if they cross the U on any matter involving money. In Thomas Pain's day, you might get a visit at 3am from some people who have come to "educate" you on the correct way to prostrate oneself when speaking in public.
lynel
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 12:10 a.m.
When annarbor.com first started I used my real name. One night I got 2 middle-of -the night, anonymous phone calls, which referred to a position I took on abortion. Because I'm in the phonebook someone was able to get my phone number, oh and my address. SCARY
Bob
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 9:33 p.m.
That's nice, David, now, what exactly do you have to say?
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 6:39 p.m.
Yep, David, I guess we can all pin a rose on you for being brave enough to kowtow the company line and sign your real name. How many kids do you still have in AAPS? So no worries there either. Very sterling example you set. Thanks.
dotdash
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 5:52 p.m.
I'd agree and I'd like to, in theory, but I'm cautious because of the level of hostility that is often expressed on aa.com. It doesn't feel quite safe to me.
Kyle Mattson
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 5:48 p.m.
Thanks David. We do encourage readers to use their real name when they feel comfortable doing so, but understand the reasons that readers may not want to. If anyone has questions regarding our approach to commenting and would like to discuss it further please feel free to email me anytime.
Sonoflela
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 5:03 p.m.
Andy Thomas should consider leaving next.
Dan
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 4:29 p.m.
It is reasonable for Board members to question if they made it too difficult for Dr Green but there will not be unified opinion of Board members on that. Heading a District like AAPS is a very tough job and that's why it needs to command a six figure salary to attract people equipped to do it well. Let's keep the young people in focus and move on to tackle the many (mostly financial) matters at hand. An interim leader is needed. Let's name one and not debate endlessley who it should be. It is possible to establish a culture where well qualified leaders stay. Look at the successful Michiigan major college athletic programs. Let's move past the "maybe, perhaps, could have, should have" and get on with the business of providing a sustainable, excellent system for educating the youth. The District's programs have been designed with the ojbective to serve everyone's needs. If that is to continue we need to focus on the things that are needed AND that are feasible. New ways of raising funds are needed. It is certainly hard to cut back programs and one way that tension is released is in frustration and finger pointing. Debating in AnnArbor.com if the Superintendent is" THIS" or the Board is "THAT" IS merely a sideshow that distracts from the real purpose of deciding how the AAPS system will be run. It's about the YOUTH and its about the TEACHERS, COUNSELERS, PRINCIPALS and COACHES that are with them nearly every day.
TheDiagSquirrel
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 4:17 p.m.
I had a good laugh at Andy Thomas's diatribe on online commenter anonymity. If the AAPS weren't so quick to litigate the most ridiculous things, and scream "libel" and "slander" at every turn, and require people to FOIA every single piece of minutaie about the schools, then maybe people wouldnt be so anonymous. Just remember, Andy: If the majority of people say something is true, then it usually is based on some sort of truth.
Jack Panitch
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:05 p.m.
If you attribute my words to the BOE, then I have to stand up and take responsibility. Your attribution of the very specific words slander and libel to the BOE and your statement about the BOE being quick to litigate simply has no basis in fact. Moreover, I would ask you to provide the numerous examples you have about the BOE "constantly" (your words, not mine) fingerpointing at the community. From my perspective, the BOE, which operates under the fishbowl of the OMA, is comprised of the best and the brightest this community has to offer. We could not do any better. But many folks around here apparently find it great sport to shoot fish in a barrel. Not my cup of tea.
TheDiagSquirrel
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 5:46 p.m.
Jack: ahh, I remember you, lol. Trust me, I wasn't referring to you, as you aren't even relevant to my comment in any capacity. The BOE constantly finger-points at the community...but does the community need to sit down down and learn how to get along, like they do? They waste taxpaying dollars for nonsense like this. And yes...hundreds of people would have not said things like "part-time superintendent" if there weren't things that truly gave that perception.
Jack Panitch
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 5:09 p.m.
Please educate me and name a piece of litigation the District has initiated. Unless I'm mistaken, your references to screaming "libel and slander at every turn" is a response to commentary I made a month or two ago. I am not AAPS. Moreover, my comments are not intended as intimidation: if you recognize the lines you shouldn't cross, you can keep out of trouble. DonBee said something important above: anonymous commentary has as much First Amendment protection as other commentary. Lible, though, enjoys no first amendment protection and can bring down a world of hurt. Just take a look at the opinions the Michigan Court of Appeals issued last week on the subject.
donderop
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 4:57 p.m.
Some "sort" of truth? Something is true, or it isn't. And spreading untruths under cloak of anonymity doesn't make them true -- not that trolls care. It's what they do.
Flea
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 3:55 p.m.
I gotta ask y'all, what memo distribution list you are on, cause I missed the one about self-charicature day. Way to underscore Mr. Thomas' point. There used to be this great commenter, Snarf Boondoggle, who would amuse us all by charicaturing everyone, probably to make us all take a step back and laugh at ourselves. We don't need Snarf, right? We do a pretty good job of making fun of ourselves (without even trying). It may be hard and all irreverent-like to find humor in this situation, but the over-the-top comedy that follows from Mr. Thomas' self-evidently valid point (it's just we don't like hearing it from him, although he was one of us once) and the slapstick attempt by everyone to outdo themselves in reaction to it is just the perfect dish of absurd humor, served up with a side of provincial pie.
Flea
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 12:52 p.m.
PS: Mr. Thomas was a frequent online commenter on education stories, and is known for clear-headed, fact-based, independent thinking.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 3:38 p.m.
The repeated excuses that her high salary made her fail are just comical. She could have given any amount of it back - 10%, 20%, 50%. The board would have gladly accepted it. It would have been great PR for the district. Or, "I love the position. Thank you. But the pay is too high. Please give 20% of my salary to a non-profit fund to help children learn"
Wondering
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 2:50 p.m.
I think the community deserves to know the retirement package that Dr. Green will receive from AAPS for her one-plus years' of service. And what the line item is in our AAPS budget for retirement compensation for former superintendents. It is my understanding that there is a revolving door of superintendents throughout the state, not simply in Ann Arbor. Looking at the retirement provisions of superintendents' contracts might go a LONG way toward explaining that phenomenon.
alarictoo
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 2:21 p.m.
Simone, and other members of the BoE, may not want to admit it, but their dysfunction has been the reason for numerous high-level staff leaving AAPS. I know for a fact that another high-level staff member is strongly considering leaving AAPS in the near future, and their #1 reason is having to deal with this BoE.
jns131
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 6:05 p.m.
And that is only the tip of the ice berg. They forgot to include Balas.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 2 p.m.
"He also said Green suffered repeatedly for a salary she had nothing to do with." So....she didn't cash the checks?
alarictoo
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 6:22 p.m.
And I reiterate: "Seriously, how many people interviewing for a job are going to say: "I'll take the job, but, really, the salary you're offering is just too much. I can't accept it."?"
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 5:18 p.m.
She knew it was a problem prior to taking the job: http://www.annarbor.com/news/a-qa-with-patricia-green-ann-arbor-public-schools-next-superintendent/ Q: You're obviously coming into a big raise in Ann Arbor. How are you going to be able to deal with budget cuts and ask for shared suffering when the new superintendent's salary has been a point of contention here in Ann Arbor? A: I'm not even going to go there. I'm not going to talk about my salary, I haven't signed a contract yet but I'm clearly not going to discuss my salary.
alarictoo
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 2:26 p.m.
@EyeHeart - She did not name the salary. The number was decided upon by the BoE before the search was begun. As the article states, there was a public outcry. However, that outcry did not dissuade the BoE from proceeding to pay that salary. Seriously, how many people interviewing for a job are going to say: "I'll take the job, but, really, the salary you're offering is just too much. I can't accept it."? Save your outrage about the salary for the Board of Education. Be outraged at Green about how little she accomplished, and the disdain she has shown, and continues to show, Ann Arbor.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 1:52 p.m.
More transparency.
Erich Jensen
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.
Dear Ann Arbor Parents (i.e., voters), Wake up. The buck stops with you. Stop voting for incumbents on the BOE who oversee the Superintendent selection process. Change the BOE makeup a little each time there is an election. P.S. I suppose this comment will get a lot of negative voter scores!
J. A. Pieper
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:48 p.m.
No, I don't think it will, it is exactly what we need to do as parents, tax payers, and voters! I have been voting this way for a while because I have had this opinion for a long time (insider information, when you are employed here, you see the waste and mismanagement). Too many of the BOE members get on the board for a personal reason, which means they do it to protect their child and what their child needs, regardless of what is best for the district. The incumbents need to be weeded out, period!
aamom
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 5:38 p.m.
It's a great idea. Unfortunately, wasn't there only one person who ran that was new this last election? We need more people to run so we actually have a choice instead of just voting for someone because they would be new to the board.
alarictoo
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 2:27 p.m.
This comment should have a Voter Score of +10,000!
annarboral
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 1:21 p.m.
What's really needed is an all new AAPS board that has serious business experience. The AAPS is a huge financial entity being run by a bunch of educators with essentially no business experience. Let the educators make class room related recomendations while the business people run the enterprise prudently. Another key issue is an effective management development program so that we have an abundance of qualified administrators within the AAPS ready to step up when needed.
Wake Up A2
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 1:08 p.m.
Andy, How do you let a school who had little to no attendance issues last year, have 150 kids in the halls after the first hour bell? Or fights so bad last week they had to call the police when the year before there was only one small pushing match? From the staff I talk to this school will not meet AYP based on the attendance issue alone. Further the school will not be accredited based on the changes over the last two months. How do you let this happen. Why does this not fixed? In a word you need Leadership.
towncryer
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 1:15 a.m.
JA Pieper, no need to worry, everyone just needs to follow the principal's "words of wisdom" and all will be fine, lol (sarcastic post in case it isn't obvious)
J. A. Pieper
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:42 p.m.
I did not think the assignment of the new principal was a smart move on the part of the superintendent. I know teachers at her former middle school and they were struggling with her leadership. There were serious concerns about her relationships with minority students, and she was considered good enough for one of our comprehensive high schools? My friends who teach at this HS are ready and wiling to bail out, they are very worried about what is happening under this new leadership. Now we may not have to worry about the other schools losing students, they will be leaving this school in droves if at all possible!
Wake Up A2
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 7:22 p.m.
Pioneer. Sinking fast.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 2:31 p.m.
Would this school be a high school that has an earlier start time this school year?
Great Lakes Lady
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 1:06 p.m.
The board has to end the vicious cycle of writing in contracts those outrageous 'golden parachutes' where a superintendent stays a couple years, then walks away with another several thousand dollars in severance, benefits, pensions, etc. You needs to act responsibly and start managing money like it's your own......not unlimited tax money. And please, STOP using phrases like 'market pricing'.....'attract the best talent'....etc. Hire a young, fresh, moral, ethical, experienced person from within this state who will do the right thing....not just take the money and bail in a couple years.
walker101
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 12:49 p.m.
Maybe the board should look at it the other way and have a term limit, why not, it dosen't look like it's working the way it was once was intended, giving someone a 2 year contract to make an immediate impact might only encourage those selected to have a little creativity and insure that they are not stumps on a log, but knowing it would be hard to please the naysayers might be an impossibility.
Ann Arbor Parents For Students
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 12:46 p.m.
Focus on the kids not the BOE. Parents are not loving the AAPS and when or if given the chance, leave. Community High School had 500 people for 100 spots.
Basic Bob
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 11:32 a.m.
Let's let all 500 applicants attend CHS @ Skyline.
A Voice of Reason
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 12:41 p.m.
Instead of talking about our "wounded" school board, lets talk about: 1. Student achievement and the fact our schools are FOCUS schools with huge achievement gaps and our math and science scores are not great. 2. Our board has signed (and had a chance not to) a teachers contract guaranteeing employment for teachers regardless of teaching effectiveness and we cannot not afford to pay for it. 3. We seem to never can get our financial house in order and only can solve it by asking the community for more money (millages-just stop asking and threatening our kids about cuts). Our teachers and staff are some of the highest paid in the state and nation. 4. People are leaving the AAPS for charter and private schools and we are NOT able to attract students through Schools of Choice. WAKE UP! 5. Parents cannot evaluate teachers or principals. Why no? 6. Where are the computers and technology $80 Million dollars worth? This is where the AnnArbor.com focus should be and I would like to see 10 articles about this vs. loosing our CEO and the BOE.
A Voice of Reason
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:47 p.m.
Sorry, you are missing the point and making fun of this list. AAPS BOE does not want to know what parents think of their schools and teachers. Seems wrong. How many people have to re-teach their kids at night? What about the climate of the school? Do their children feel safe? If you have a child in the AAPS, you total understand this list and are constantly frustrated by about 20% of teachers who do not care (do the minimum) and 30% of principals that are absent most of the time from the building and really do not care about parents and their concerns at all. We need motivated leaders running our buildings or save your money and let the schools run themselves.
alarictoo
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 6:26 p.m.
@treetowncartel - Go one better... Let the parents of other students, as well as teachers and principals, evaluate parents. Oh, wait... a new form of "Survivor: AAPS".
treetowncartel
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 4:50 p.m.
It should be a two way street then, let parents and principals evaluate parents.
A Voice of Reason
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 3:33 p.m.
why not? correction -why no?
Claude Kershner
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 12:29 p.m.
Interesting comments from trustee Lightfoot given she was not available for ANY of the public meetings on the budget crisis. If she considers that support its no wonder Dr. Green and Mr. Allen decided to retire and leave. The fact is I never read or heard ONCE from a Board member that the personal attacks on Dr. Green were a distraction to the challenges facing the district. It's no wonder she said goodbye early.
ChrisW
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 12:23 p.m.
The immediate problem is budget - everything else pales in comparison. The board has already punted on making any hard decisions this year. Without revenue increases the next superintendent is going to be vilified because busing, sports, 1-2 high schools, and several elementary schools are all going away.
Wake Up A2
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.
To piggy back on Don Bee's Comment, Here is a prime example of the problem at hand: You have a person who sucks up to the Super. Several committees, etc, even tho have have had racial complaints filed against them in a smaller school. Then you give them a bigger building and a $20,000 raise. Now the "new" school they are at is falling apart. How as a board member you let this happen? How as a super do you let this happen?
Brad
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 12:05 p.m.
"For whatever reason, this district chews up superintendents and spits them out," Translation: "Beats the heck out of us what's happening!" And therein lies the problem ...
DonBee
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 12:01 p.m.
Mr Thomas - I am sorry you don't like anonymous comments. The tradition goes all the way back to Thomas Paine in the Revolutionary War with "Common Sense". I focus on financial and governance matters. The lack of transparency, the missing check book registers on the website, and the attitude of FOIA if you want it - followed by "that is a privacy issue" response to the FOIA. What does this say to the public? Yes, you held some sit downs with the public, but did you actually do anything with the information and concerns you received? The board had a hand in her decision by: 1) The way the search was announced 2) The complete lack of discussion of internal candidates 3) The setting of the salary level in the announcement 4) The decision to give the "up to" as a starting salary 5) The lack of discussion with the public that for a while Dr. Green would be commuting and that her husband was not going to be part of the community, and her purchase of a home 6) The decision to not make any of the first evaluation of Dr. Green public - but rather only issue a short statement 7) The laundry list of priorities for the Superintendent 8) The lack of board members being pro-active in including her in the community - How many of you took her to your church, your neighborhood school and PTSO and introduced her? 9) The uncoordinated and disjointed responses to questions and issues from the community 10) The lack of focus in the board meetings - holding speakers to their 5 minutes from the time the prior speaker sat down, rather than from the time the speaker started speaking and the allowing of crowds to form around the speaker. If you don't fix this, you get a repeat of Dr. Green's tenure.
J. A. Pieper
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:32 p.m.
Thank you Don Bee!
Sven49
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:58 a.m.
"Green suffered repeatedly for a salary she had nothing to do with." Oh, for crying out loud. Is she an adult? Did she sign the contract? If so she is equally responsible for the salary. Let's not try to cast her as the victim in this little drama.
J. A. Pieper
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:29 p.m.
She already "retired" or was quietly asked to leave her previous district, anyone with common sense could figure out this next job of hers was just a money grab.
alarictoo
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 2:36 p.m.
She did not name the salary. The number was decided upon by the BoE before the search was begun. As the article states, there was a public outcry. However, that outcry did not dissuade the BoE from proceeding to pay that salary. Seriously, how many people interviewing for a job are going to say: "I'll take the job, but, really, the salary you're offering is just too much. I can't accept it."? Save your outrage about the salary for the Board of Education. Be outraged at Green about how little she accomplished, and the disdain she has shown, and continues to show, Ann Arbor. As for giving the money, Tom Swift Jr. Without access to her tax forms, etc. we have no idea what she may or may not have given. Not sayin' she did, but just sayin'.
tom swift jr.
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
If the salary amount was such a hardship for her, she could have, oh, I don't know, given some of it back. Heck, she could have donated it to a program to support students. But, she didn't.
dotdash
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 12:04 p.m.
To be fair, though, she couldn't have known enough about the community to know how that would read to some. She may have even taken it as a sign everything was great, financially, in the district (oops).
Goober
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:24 a.m.
The answer to this is really very simple. The BOE is hiring the wrong people and who wants to work for an inept BOE? If, based on your experiences, you find that your boss is a bozo and cannot lead adequately, how would you respond? Go figure!
olddog
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 10:58 a.m.
"(Green) wore that albatross around her neck the entire time she was here ... $245,000 albatross, that is quite a piece of jewelry!!!! Reports indicate it is one of the largest in the state. Gosh, I'm sorry we saddled her with this. I hope the BoE is more considerate in setting the next salary and makes it a little less pretentious so as not to burden the candidate.
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 10:52 a.m.
Input from the public should be welcomed, not criticized. If AAPS were actually problem free, then the board could have the attitude that public input was gratuitous. Requests for information from the public should be welcomed and not discouraged. We don't need a "Just FOIA That" attitude on the board or in the AAPS administration, especially is a situation where there are major problems, like a multi-year major deceit and this year's budget is still $8.67 million in deficit. I am willing to use my own name with my comments despite the obvious risks to my reputation and to our bank's business. I completely understand why others speak up with valid concerns but are unwilling or unable to use their own names. I think everyone shares the same goal, to make AAPS and the city of Ann Arbor as successful and vibrant as they can be! Constructive criticism is a very good thing and helps achieve that goal, and should be embraced and not criticized.
Jack Panitch
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 2:36 p.m.
Steve: Qualified candidates aren't going to take a sound-bite out of context, either.
Steve Bean
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 1:54 p.m.
Jack, I understand what you're saying, and still, qualified candidates won't be intimidated in any way by such commentary. Board member comments, on the other hand, might raise a red flag. It's up to the community to give feedback to board members, especially if they want quality administrators to be attracted and hired.
Jack Panitch
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 12:39 a.m.
Right, prospective, not perspective.
Jack Panitch
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:15 p.m.
Steve: All any perspective super has to do is read the last year's worth of commentary in AnnArbor.com. There is no way to sweep that under the rug.
Steve Bean
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 9:20 p.m.
Here's some constructive criticism for Mr. Thomas: Please don't characterize the entire district, especially in a negative light. To wit: "For whatever reason, this district chews up superintendents and spits them out," said board Secretary Andy Thomas. The people of this district are counting on you to hire a new superintendent. Comments like the above don't engender confidence in your ability to contribute to that effort.
Jack Panitch
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 9:11 p.m.
Mr. Lange Ranzini: Andy Thomas is talking about "character assassination," and you are talking about "constructive criticism." I'm assuming you know the difference between the two. Otherwise, I have just ceded to you the title of resident pollyanna. So, would you conclude that all the commentary you read in these articles is constructive? I would not. And while I think there is some merit in what you say, you are not responding to anything that Andy Thomas actually said. You wouldn't embrace character assassination, and Andy Thomas would not stiff-arm constructive criticism.
alarictoo
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 6:28 p.m.
"Sorry, "deceit" should read "deficit"... Sigh. Gotta love that auto spelling correction... :-(" I thought it was a 'Freudian Slip'... ;^)
sigdiamond
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 4:55 p.m.
"I think everyone shares the same goal, to make AAPS and the city of Ann Arbor as successful and vibrant as they can be!" A perusal of the annarbor.com message boards will disabuse you of this assumption forthwith.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 1:59 p.m.
i have the utmost respect for anyone, especially prominent business people who are willing to put their own name on their comments.
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 10:56 a.m.
Sorry, "deceit" should read "deficit"... Sigh. Gotta love that auto spelling correction... :-(
KJMClark
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 10:52 a.m.
Where in the world did he get the idea that the Board is there to support the Superintendent? The Board's job is to govern - to set overall, long-term policy. The Superintendent's job is to manage - to run the organization under the Board's policies. The Board is supposed to have little to say about the Superintendent, except in evaluations. Fine to explain and support the Board's policies, but you're not the Superintendent's cheer-leading section. To fix this debacle in the future: - Cut the salary to the second highest in the state or slightly lower, - You're looking for a quiet, very competent, manager - not a grandiloquent "visionary". We need someone who can explain the cuts that are needed, tell us why those were the best option, deal with the flak from the community gracefully, and run the district well under the new budget. - We get that there will be many painful changes coming; the first cuts should be in the administrative costs. We all agree administration is needed, but they don't teach the children . The cuts there don't have to be outsized, but they need to be first. - The Board needs to be better in touch with the community. How could any Board member not understand why parents would be more concerned by bus stops than "partnering opportunities" that don't spare cuts? And yes, Mr. Thomas, that is my abbreviated real name.
KJMClark
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 9:23 p.m.
@Jack I've always been skeptical of organizations like that when I've been a Board member in the past. I interpret that as: - Unless you're the Board chair, don't say anything about the Superintendent and their style, ever, either way. You're free to ask questions about how things are being done and work to set policy, of course. - If you're the Board chair, be diplomatic and fair, recognizing that undue criticism makes running the district more difficult, but never forgetting that you represent the community, and should be professionally critical of the administration at all times. So don't be generous if it isn't earned. - And oh, sure, definitely, regardless of your role on the Board, explain the policy positions the Board has taken, and be supportive of the district. That's *not* the same as cheerleading for the Superintendent, however.
Jack Panitch
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 6:54 p.m.
"Where in the world did he get the idea that the Board is there to support the Superintendent?" Maybe from one of the recognized primers on school board service, "Becoming a Better Board Member: A Guide to Effective School Board Service," 3rd Ed., National School Boards Association (2006): Relationship with the Superintendent Work with your colleagues on the board to establish effective policies by which the superintendent can administer the schools. Maintain clear lines of communication with him or her and provide unambiguous directives. Remember, your role is that of planner and policy maker; the superintendent is responsible for implementation. Therefore, do not undermine the superintendent's authority or intrude into the spheres of responsibility that properly belong to the school administration. Demonstrate civility and respect at all times, especially in the midst of conflict and disagreement. Recognize that it is in the board's best interest to promote public confidence in the superintendent and to support his or her efforts to become a strong educational leader. [end of quote] Ironically enough, the NSBA primer talks about "cheerleading" in the very next section: Relationships with the Community Be a cheerleader for the public schools in your community and encourage the public to support your schools by giving of their time and resources.
a2edu
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 2:42 a.m.
Amen to that, KJM Clark.
Carole
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 10:51 a.m.
First off I was totally discouraged with a board who offered a huge salary for a superintendent when all the rest of us school employees were having our hours cuts, salary cut, and salary frozen - I have not had a raise in five years - of course I am low man on the totem pole as well. So making tons of money off me. She took the salary, and then hired not one but two more individuals with large salaries, and then we had to raise another admin's salary - hmmmm. I contacted her earlier this year to discuss an issue and was blown off - issue was not resolved. Dr. Roberts was a great superintendent - an individual similar to him would be awesome. And, I sign my name to all of my concerns.
Danielle Arndt
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 3:16 p.m.
Just a note on the salary, Trustee Andy Thomas was one of three BOE members who did not support the salary hike when it was approved during the last superintendent search. However, when I spoke with Andy for a story I did following up on the Mackinac Center's database that showed Patricia Green had the highest superintendent base salary in the state (http://www.annarbor.com/news/education/across-the-board-salary-cuts-for-fall-being-discussed-at-ann-arbor-public-schools/), Andy told me he thought she earned the salary. It is now a little unclear where he stands, so it will be interesting to see if the board takes the salary experience into consideration, as Andy suggests, during this upcoming superintendent search.
andy kelly
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Thomas. This is a position that is very close to people's hearts. It is personal and will remain personal. Green had chosen to "reform" the school system by taking away teacher's ability to teach from experience and ingenuity and replacing it with teach-to-the-test scripted lesson plans that occupy the ENTIRE day. We do not have a GREAT educational system - we have a mini-prison for our children. Behavioral issues at its core are a result of bored children. We need real change. We need a leader who will lead with possibility not punishment. It is not the amount of money, it is the character behind the wheel. Letters after one's name does not indicate success. Personality, cooperation and trust are much more important pieces of a puzzle that A2 School board has to been able to put together. Get creative, that is what the people elected you to do!
CLX
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 3:51 p.m.
I couldn't agree more -- the current administration was all about restricting teachers and forcing a oneness that didn't do anyone any good. She made many experienced, fantastic teachers feel like they were incoming teachers who needed to follow a strict guideline. A variety of approaches is a good thing, not something to quash. As with the surge of standardized testing, administrators these days are far more interested in checking boxes than in actual learning.
Jim Osborn
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 10:48 a.m.
"Green's reasons for deciding to retire at the end of her second year…" She didn't even make it close to her second year. Let's clear that up, first. A large part of the problem is a disconnect between the BOE and the general public, specifically the parents. Simone Lightfoot touched on this when she said "parents were more interested and tuned in when their child's bus stop was relocated," This has been a pattern for years. I remember a poll where the BOE rated racial balancing as one of the top 3 concerns where parents rated it down at number 15. Simone Lightfoot mentioned ties with UM and the state where parents are more concerned with ties that have a direct bearing on helping their little Johnny or Mary learning to read or even as she mentioned, getting to school. As long as the BOE hires a superintendent with a different job description than what the community and especially parents expect, there will be a lot of vocal complaints and stress for the superintendent. And a revolving door.
J. A. Pieper
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:23 p.m.
Jim, you said it perfectly! When I read about expectations in developing a relationship with U of M, and influential at the state level, my thinking is that none of this can even begin to happen if there is no relationship with your school community. This type of person is not going to be respected in these other circles, as word gets around about what is happening in your district. Sorry, if anyone thinks what is happening in AAPS is going to stay in AAPS, and no one else is going to hear about it, then maybe this experience will wake them up. How about a superintendent who cares about what the parents are concerned about? I know everyone's needs can't possibly be met, but there has to be a different response than what we have been getting from Green! I will keep being vocal, and if it means complaints, then that is what it will have to be! Every member of they community should speak out and let the BOE know what we are happy about, what we are concerned about. Many of us cannot use our real names, as if we are a parent, or an employee, we have to worry about retribution in some form, and certainly do not want it directed to our children!
Jim Osborn
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:03 a.m.
Oops, It was Andy Thomas, not Simone Lightfoot who made those remarks
acorn
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:01 a.m.
I believe you are attributing several comments to Ms. Lightfoot that were actually made by Mr. Thomas.
Nick Danger
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 10:33 a.m.
The board and Detroit city counsil have alot in common. They both do little to improve the situation.
Wake Up A2
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 10:25 a.m.
"She has been a victim of character assassination by people cowardly enough to not use their real names (on AnnArbor.com) ... Some of the things that have been said in public commentary at the board meetings have bordered on personal attacks." If you have dealt with Green as a parent, you will know that it is personal. Personal because it's your child, your child's future and your hard earned tax dollars at work. When you have someone that doesn't speak to you and when they do they don't look at you and talk down to you, yes it is personal. AAPS needs an out going people person who can make a decision on their own two feet. I watched a friend of mine who opened his mouth to disagree with Green get "taken out at the knees" by her. FACT! That is why people don't post their names.....
AMOC
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 1:24 a.m.
My experience as a parent was completely different, but I came to Dr. Green with a problem about my kids only once, after I had already contacted all the intervening layers of teachers and administrators. Except, of course, for Huron Principal Arthur Williams, who has never once, in the now 5 years I've had a kid in Huron, spoken to me or returned a phone call from me or my spouse. The problem was resolved within 2 days, but the teachers who hadn't been doing what they claimed to have are STILL unhappy about my escalating the issue, 6 months later.
J. A. Pieper
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:10 p.m.
She had a reputation of not wanting to meet with parents, or even her teachers, everyone was considered way below her level. She took Balas people in front of others, and this is why even people at Balas want out! No matter who is hired, they are representing the top level of AAPS, and yes, a friendly face sends a great message.I want to feel valued and acknowledged when I interact with Balas people, as a parent, tax payer, and employee! Those of us at the school building level get reminders about how we must interact appropriately with the families who enter our building, it is part of our customer service. It seems she did not have to do this, but then maybe it wasn't in her job description!
Jim Osborn
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 10:51 a.m.
I never spoke with her, but Mr. Roberts was easy to talk to at a board meeting or in a hallway. one-on-one, both before he became the super and afterwards.
Alum
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 10:10 a.m.
Suggestion: Turn off the cameras and maybe the Board will concentrate on working and not performing.