“It’s 7:01, let’s start!” an audience member shouted, receiving laughter from the crowd. “Ding ding ding!”

The AAPS Board of Education meeting started just after 7 p.m. on Monday, May 20, following another rally organized by the Ann Arbor Education Association. The main topic up for discussion was the $20.4 million budget cut proposed by superintendent Jazz Parks at the Board meeting on Wednesday, May 15. It passed on Monday 6-1. 

The meeting began with Public Commentary. Two-hundred-two people had signed up with comments to make. Mainly, people were concerned about the cutting of world languages as well as the reductions of band and orchestra co-directors. 

“All AAPS students deserve a fully-staffed, comprehensive music education,” person after person said. 

More than three hours later, the Public Commentary was finished, and after a 10 minute break, the Board sat back down, ready to talk. 

Parks began with talking more about the proposal. 

“I would like to offer a few clarifications from last week’s budget presentation that we brought forward based on some information that has come to our attention through our email inbox, through conversations we’ve had, even through Public Commentary here tonight,” she said. “I would like to clarify some details that have been circulating that we know that we just want to make sure the information is clear and accurate about.”

The clarifications included:

• There have been four reductions in Central Office leadership this past year, and there will be two more reductions in Central office leadership next year
• Elementary World Language is separate from the English Language Learning program
• Spanish content taught in fourth and fifth grade is repeated in sixth and seventh grade
• PLTW being added to the specials schedule allows schools to have around one hour per week for each specials area

The full list can be found here. 

After these clarifications were made, the Board of Education debated over the topic, and ultimately passed the proposal, with trustees Schmidt, DuPree, Mohammad, Baskett, Gaynor and Feaster voting for it and Trustee Querijero voting against it. 

The next Board meeting will be on June 12 at 3700 Earhart Road.