Plans to close Ann Arbor Public Schools estimated $10.7 million budget shortfall for next year without cutting in the classroom is getting positive responses from the community. Superintendent Jeanice Swift was at Scarlett Middle School last night talking about the budget and getting community feedback.
Swift thinks the community supports efforts to attract more students through innovative programs instead of coming back with proposals for more painful cuts.
Parent Angela Smith says she’s hopeful plans to use innovation and attract more students will help resolve the budget issue without the need for drastic cuts. She does have some concerns about the proposed K-12 International Baccalaureate program since she has a daughter attending Washtenaw International High School.
Other comments focused on transportation, amount of student testing, and concerns that state actions are pitting districts against one another. The budget meetings continue next week with meetings at Clague, Forsythe, and Tappan Middle Schools.
Click here for information on upcoming community meetings on the budget.
WEMU's coverage of the school board kicking off budget discussions is here.
Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.
