Public commenters press district on 'Boys Like You' curriculum pilot, school closures and cursive instruction

Several members of the public used the Academic Committee’s public‑comment period to press the district on curriculum pilots, school closures and community engagement.

Speakers described a community program called Boys Like You that organizers said has been piloted at East English Village and that partners with Wayne County Community College and Wayne State University. Rev. Lonnie and other supporters asked the district to assign staff liaisons and said pastoral volunteers could serve as facilitators; they also reported philanthropic interest from the DTE Foundation and said a pastoral committee of about 20 pastors has agreed to help identify instructors.

A parent and community members asked about the school closure schedule and where students from Ann Arbor Trail and Catherine Blackwell will be relocated; the superintendent said Blackwell students are slated to transfer to Hutchinson and said district staff would provide additional updates. Speakers also asked for greater notice and transparency around phased closures and transitions, especially staffing and community supports.

Janice Hall and other commenters asked whether cursive instruction has been removed from elementary classrooms. The superintendent and board members said the district includes cursive lessons in K–5 curriculum materials and that some schools are explicitly teaching cursive; staff agreed to make the lessons and rollout more explicit in public communications so families understand what students are learning.

Speakers also requested longer public‑comment windows and later closing times for committee public comment so working parents have a realistic opportunity to participate; one commenter noted committee meetings had begun later in the day but that registration for public comment had closed early. The committee said staff would review public‑comment procedures.