Students, parents and union urge Board to resolve expired teacher contract; call for financial transparency

Trustees at the Ann Arbor Public Schools meeting on April 13 heard a steady stream of public comment calling for a negotiated settlement of the district's expired teacher contract and for greater fiscal transparency.

Students and families described the local effects of teachers working without a contract. "Teachers are more than just teachers — they are people with their own individual needs," said Anna Bellamy, a freshman at Huron High School, who recounted teachers spending extra hours and paying out of pocket to support students. Paloma Jackson Rubinstein, a junior at Pioneer High School, said, "Schools cannot be great without great teachers," and asked the board to treat teachers fairly so APS can maintain strong programs.

Parents also pressed the board for answers about finances. "I've noticed a gradual decline in APS employee morale," said Susan Zink, a parent who volunteers in district schools; she said several long‑time teachers at Tappan left mid‑year and urged the board to pause new spending until community review. Angela Galati Prince, who described herself as a former CFO and financial executive, said her review of public records showed APS receiving substantially more revenue per student than several peers while offering lower top salaries, and urged creation of a Citizens' Finance Advisory Committee to assist the new CFO and improve transparency.

Fred Klein, president of the Ann Arbor Education Association, representing roughly 1,300 professional educators, told the board educators were on the "98th day working without a contract," and that the union's bargaining team would return to mediation on April 14 and April 28. Klein said the district's fund balance was weak (described in his remarks as between 5% and 6%), and that the district continued to use a health‑care cost sharing arrangement that placed disproportionate burden on employees compared with an 80/20 standard he said other districts use. "Concessions have not led to stability," Klein said, urging a settlement that restores competitive salaries and health benefits.

Board members thanked speakers and acknowledged the concerns raised. Superintendent Parks said the district intends to include community engagement in its strategic planning, including financial elements, and encouraged continued dialogue. No formal board action was taken on contracts during the meeting; the public record from the meeting shows upcoming mediation dates and strong public interest.

Next steps: union mediation sessions scheduled for April 14 and April 28 (reported by the union president during his remarks); trustees and community groups said they will pursue additional public engagement on fiscal questions.