Comments on: AAPS Weighs Cuts to Staff, Buses, Programs

By: schoolsmuse

schoolsmuse — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:56:54 +0000

No Liz, I make the assessment that Clemente is a stronger program based on the two schools' graduation rates. And also based on conversations with parents and staff over the years. I wonder though, are you trying to say that the way these kids split out is that kids with family support end up at Roberto Clemente, and those without it end up at Ann Arbor Tech? Because based on limited information--for instance, the kid profiled in the Detroit Free Press [link], that is not the impression that I've gotten. I agree that it might not make sense to run two programs that appear to serve the same population (do they?) and it's my understanding that part of the issue is that Roberto Clemente (the school) was designed for the program, with small classrooms to suit the small class sizes. That is obviously different than Ann Arbor Tech, which is in Stone School, an old elementary school.

By: Liz Margolis

Liz Margolis — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:47:06 +0000

Schoolsmuse, many of the students enrolled at A2 Tech are living on their own with no parental support. Many are working full time jobs while seeking their high school degrees. I would not make the assessment that not seeing them at the board meeting tonight equates to a weaker program at A2 Tech.

By: schoolsmuse

schoolsmuse — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:17:17 +0000

It was interesting that tonight at the board meeting there were lots and lots of Roberto Clemente students and parents speaking against the Roberto Clemente proposed cut, but there was not a single person from Ann Arbor Tech (aka Stone School). I have thought for a long time that the Clemente program is a much stronger program, and I wonder if this is just proof of that.

By: john floyd

john floyd — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:46:48 +0000

I have not heard “Reduction of Administrator Salaries” offered as a solution element. Might save several teacher FTE’s. Seems to me that retaining teachers is closer to the schools’ mission that matching administration salaries in other districts.

It’s also time to focus on the relationship between how much we are willing to fund schools vs. other state services, and the creation of a “21st Century Jobs” workforce. May be we are better off educating kids than incarcerating small-time dope users.

By: jane burton

jane burton — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:36:38 +0000

1) In support of eliminating police liaison officers: the student and staff populations at the large high schools have been cut by almost 50%, surveillance systems are in place, the discipline incidents are tremendously fewer than 5 years ago.The officer has much less to get involved in and elimination should be strongly considered.
2) What is the early notification for retirement incentive? who is is open to? how would one be informed o the important dates connected with it?
3) As far as changing the rules of the game with regarding to transporting students to schools, passing the last bond, etc. — the rules of the game have been changing constantly for everyone 00 that is the game now.
4) Why never consider having CHS student attend comprehensive high schools? They would enhance the student populations of each both in numbers and in quality, could enjoy the programs at the comprehensives without incurring transportation costs, etc. Yet this is never, ever proposed. Why such is CHS sacred cow?
5) Combining Roberto Clemente and AA Tech/Stone is a great idea for so many reasons — location, accessibility by AATA, staff cost reduction, etc. Putting those programs into the comprehensives — not a good idea — often these students must have a separate setting in order to focus on their education without the many distractions which their original high school setting presented.school

By: Christine Stead

Christine Stead — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:32:32 +0000

The FY14 budget plans from Governor Snyder include the following:

•MPSERS increases to 31.2%.
•No increase to the foundational allowance (which will be kept at the FY12 level, representing a 7% reduction from FY11 or $470/student FTE – the largest reduction to K12 education in the history of school funding in Michigan).
•Decreased MPSERS offset from FY13 and FY12.
•($113M) less for best practices funding compared to FY13.

These projections are not likely to change much with the current legislators in office. The AAPS ‘rainy day fund’ is also meant to address a cash flow issue so that our district can make payroll commitments over the summer months, as revenue disbursements are not released to districts during this time. Our Board policy states that the AAPS must maintain 15% fund equity. We have been below 10% for some time, and will continue to be. The important take-away is that FY14 is likely to be worse than FY13 in terms of funding for K12 public education, and there are limitations to how much fund equity can address, especially given the FY14 outlook.