Comments on: Forum for Six AAPS Board Candidates

By: Edward Vielmetti

Edward Vielmetti — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 03:32:16 +0000

A detail: PAA is Pakistan Association of America, not Pakastani Association of America, for Iqbal.

By: A2person

A2person — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:54:43 +0000

John, “educated in Ann Arbor” will mean nothing if the AAPS remains completely cut to the bone. I have several friends who left the district for private schools this year — the fact that we AGAIN increased class sizes was the last straw for them. Iqbal, if you want excellence, you must be willing to pay for it.

By: John Callewaert

John Callewaert — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:31:01 +0000

Here’s my ranking after attending the forum and reviewing all the websites.

1. Iqbal: brings the budget knowledge & experience to dig through all the details to find the opportunities. Has a real passion for making sure the “Educated in Ann Arbor” means something.

2. Lightfoot: was the only current trustee I heard asking hard questions of the administration during the discussions on cuts to athletics.

3. Murphy: has great ideas – not certain they will fit Ann Arbor PS.

4. Leonard: needs more experience but hope he stays involved.

5. Thomas: lacks depth. Used a list of email addresses of folks who contacted the board with concerns to promote his campaign. Seems to me like a clear exploitation of his role as board secretary.

6. Howard: seems only be to using the opportunity to promote his personal beliefs.

By: Albert Howard

Albert Howard — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:48:36 +0000

AnnArbor.com has not featured/covered any of the Ann Arbor Public School Board of Education candidates in the hard copy edition of the AnnArbor.com newspaper on Thursday or Sunday. Furthermore, they have not sent any of their reporters to the debate forums.

AnnArbor.com reporter Kyle Feldscher responded to my @AlbertHowardUSA tweet: ‘ I don’t know off the top of my head if the story ran in either print edition – been moving and haven’t had a chance to look’.

By: Jack Eaton

Jack Eaton — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:34:30 +0000

Don't forget, the Ann Arbor League of Women Voters(LWV) will also hold a candidate forum tonight, Wednesday October 5, for City Council candidates in the four contested races. Ward 2, 7-7:30 p.m., Democratic incumbent Stephen Rapundalo vs. Independent challenger Jane Lumm Ward 3, 7:45-8:15 p.m., Democratic incumbent Stephen Kunselman vs. Republican challenger David Parker Ward 4, 8:30-9 p.m., Democratic incumbent Marcia Higgins vs. Republican challenger Eric Scheie Ward 5, 9:15-9:45 p.m., Democratic incumbent Mike Anglin vs. Republican challenger Stuart Berry The forum will be telecast live on Comcast Channel 19, rebroadcast periodically up to the election and available on the CTN web page: [link]

By: ScratchingmyHead

ScratchingmyHead — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:59:26 +0000

I think the more articulate and whose ideas was the most well thought out was Iqbal. However, I’m not sure if that will be a help or hindrance as a Trustee. I was disappointed in Trustee Lightfoot ealiier grumbling about her colleagues did not defer to her as an “expert” on African American issues that come to the board. If Trustee Lightfoot was truly an “expert” she would not be on the AAPS Board. Also, Trustees Lightfoot and Basket coordinated two community meetings on the achievement gap a couple summers ago and promised to follow through with other meetings for those of us who did attend and so far never did. Follow-up is key for me. I supported Trustee Thomas earlier but he has not demonstrated the type of growth since being selected to serve in an interim capacity I would have expected to see on the board. I’m not sure who I will vote for, however.

By: schoolsmuse

schoolsmuse — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:21:20 +0000

Simone Lightfoot's web site is operable (you have links to the others, I think): [link]

By: AASchools

AASchools — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:01:54 +0000

I agree. I will be paying more attention to Simone Lightfoot, Patrick Leonard, and Andy Thomas. I feel those three are the best candidates for the AA school board. I could tell that Mr. Leonard did not like the one minute he had to answer questions – sometimes stopped short or could not get his point across; however, I have heard great things about him, and that he is extremely knowledgebale about the public education system. I like his energy and will be supporting him as a candidate (although I will be attending his coffee hours to learn more). Simone Lightfoot and Andy Thomas had a lot of ideas and seemed well-informed. I think they would be a great addition to the AA school board. I didn’t care for the other three candidates because of their plans for the district (especially did not like that Mr.Murphy opposed the tech bond).

After last night’s forum, here is how I would rank the candidates:

1. Andy Thomas
1. Patrick Leonard
2. Simone Lightfoot
3. Larry Murphy
4. Ahmar Iqbal
5. Albert Howard

By: A2person

A2person — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:30:33 +0000

I too enjoyed the debate. My take on the challengers: Howard is not a viable candidate (the answer to the problems the schools face is the body of Christ?). Iqbal was well-spoken and thoughtful, but I fundamentally disagree that the budget of AAPS is so flush. The money that AAPS has been working with has been decreasing for years, and it is NOT adequate, and we need to push back against Snyders huge cuts. I like Murphy’s passion and his committment to small class sizes, I agree with him there. But if the technology bond that he opposes does not pass, then we scramble around with our dwindling General Fund to cover these costs, and I can’t see how that helps with anything. I’d like to see him re-think his stance on this. Leonard did not present anything I seriously objected to, but I didn’t think his answers seemed especially well-informed or creative. I wish we had a candidate pushing back or at least seriously questioning the value of all this new testing we are doing.

I thought the incumbants did well. I’ll continue to pay attention to Leonard (and perhaps to Murphy, but likely not if his stance on the millage remains).

By: John Schempke

John Schempke — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:00:13 +0000

I enjoyed watching the LWV candidates’ forum. I thought all candidates were prepared and addressed the issues in great detail; however, I felt Patrick Leonard was the strongest of the candidates. I like that he is a product of the system he wishes to change. I’ve had the opportunity to speak with him during his campaign and he has a passion and vision that will help improve this district. I wish he would have been more aggressive yesterday and highlighted his strategic plan for the district.

Ahmar often refered to AAPS’s “big general fund budget” throughout the debate. What Ahmar Iqbal failed to recognize is that FICA, STEP, Fringe benefits, etc. continue to incrementally increase; therefore, the AAPS may have more annual revenue but it does not offset these rising costs.

Larry Murhpy does not support the tech bond and instead would like to hire more teachers. How can AAPS hire more teachers with a projected $14 million deficit for next year? If they don’t pass the bond, funds will be coming out of the general fund, and this could potentially affect teachers and classroom resources. I also didn’t understand his concept of neighborhood busing, and how that would work in a district our size?

I really enjoyed Simone Lightfoot and Andy Thomas – they are strong candidates. I’m just ready for a change to the AAPS school Board, and think Patrick Leonard can be a tremendous addition to the board.