Comments on: AAPS Sets Stage for Budget Talks

By: A2person

A2person — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:01:23 +0000

When I attended aaps budget forums last year, it became apparent to me that we could completely eliminate Balas (central administration) and still not come close to solving even one years problem. AAPS has a structural deficit, with a mandate to fund teacher pensions in the setting of fewer and fewer people paying into the pension system. We are not allowed as a district to bargain or fix this… It must come from Lamsing. But they refuse to do so. So we’ve had to cut and cut and cut every year, and it won’t change ever unless Lansing steps up. But they aren’t. So their preferred model of for-profit, corporate run charters and private schools for the wealthy will be the model here, unless something changes really soon. It’s disgusting.

By: Herb

Herb — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 16:39:55 +0000

As I understand it, AAPS is looking at a deficit of about 10% of its budget. This comes after several rounds of cheese paring and a new millage last May. Apparently the administration will not consider cuts in compensation and benefits. One possible outcome is bankruptcy, state control and mergers. Another would be a huge millage increase.

By: Roger Kuhlman

Roger Kuhlman — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 21:21:12 +0000

I would like to know the actual spending trends of AAPS for the past several years. Have their total expenditures stayed stable or have they increased.

The budgeting that AAPS does seems to be designed to confuse the Public and prevent accountability by the managers of the school system.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:13:20 +0000

The three main problems facing AAPS are budget deficit, achievement gap and upcoming merger with WypsiRun. All can be dealt with simultaneously by concentrating teacher layoffs at high school level in the university preparation courses. Pink slips for the advanced placement and accelerated sections teachers, as many as needed to balance. A lot of the non-minority high achievers will then leave and the gap will go way down. Tell Tiger Mommy who has to get her turbo charged twerp into Havud before his voice changes that Greenhills is the place, not AAPS. By all means don’t cut back on football or basketball. That’s all they care about at WypsiRun.

By: A2Person

A2Person — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:16:47 +0000

I wonder if Rick Snyder reads the Chronicle. How can he NOT fix the structural deficit produced by the pension system? How can he NOT restore adequate K-12 funding, if he has any awareness at all about what his choices have done to our schools? I just don’t understand that man. I know he and his cohorts can afford Greenhills…. but really? That’s it, too bad for everyone else?