It seems Community High School is here to stay. Even with the district facing a 20 million dollar deficit, CHS will continue to operate. After months of rumors and worry, it is clear that the district has no current plans to eliminate or downsize the home of the rainbow zebras.
The district recently released its proposed budget for the 2010/2011 school year. Although closing schools is not part of the plan, there are severe cuts that will be felt throughout the district.
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In the weeks after the failure of the county-wide Regional Enhancement Millage, the Ann Arbor Public Schools, its students, staff, and administrators wondered what would happen next. Speculation was inevitable, but the conversation clearly united fact and fiction to the point where it was impossible to separate valid concerns from unsupported rumors.
The series of budget forums scheduled from January 7th to 19th seemed to attempt the impossible: set the record straight on the budget issue without alienating the district’s members. “This is an opportunity for the public to let the school district know what they value in education. They were able to get information about what it costs to educate students in the Ann Arbor Public schools,” said Jen Hein, Dean of Community.
Dr. Roberts discusses the proposed budget cuts at a budget forum meeting on January 14th.
With possible cuts reaching upwards of 600 dollars per student by the end of the 2011 school year (165 dollars in approved cuts, 230 likely by the end of 2010 and another 300 proposed for the end of next school year), changes are sure to come quickly.
Although these cuts are certainly unwelcome, the
alternative, a projected 19.1 million dollar budget deficit by the end of 2011, is equally, if not more distressing. “I think that the recommendations that were developed by the cabinet are the same recommendations in the same areas that I would take a look at,” said Hein.
On January 12, 2010 Forum Council met in the Craft Theater during 4th block for their monthly meeting. Dean Jen and Kevin also attended. They had a group discussion covering possible budget cuts, in school and community issues, and possible upcoming events.
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