Board approves CTE millage resolution, consent agenda and tax levy; adopts budget amendments and several contract recommendations

Ann Arbor — At its June 11 meeting the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved several measures including a resolution to support placement of a countywide career and technical education (CTE) millage on the November ballot, a consent agenda of contracts and purchases, and the district’s 2025–26 tax‑rate resolution.

CTE millage: The board moved the CTE millage resolution up on the agenda to allow presentation by Washtenaw ISD representatives and voted to record its official support. Presenters said a 1‑mill countywide CTE proposal would raise roughly $24,000,000 countywide and trustees were told Ann Arbor’s district—which educates about 44% of the county’s students—would stand to receive a proportional share if voters approve the measure. The board voted to forward its support to the ISD with a unanimous roll call.

Consent agenda and contract approvals: Trustees approved a consent agenda that bundled multiple procurement and contract recommendations. Items called out in the meeting included: - A pediatric therapy services contract (physical and limited speech therapy) for $554,484 to supply four full‑time equivalent physical therapists and ESY coverage. - A music‑classroom furnishings recommendation (~$145,673.35) funded from bond capital dollars, to replace aging cabinets, chairs, podiums and risers in secondary schools. - A musical‑instrument refresh (competitive bid) for approximately $980,472 from capital funds to replace instruments across K–12 programs. - A state Section 99d grant purchase of indigenous histories titles totaling about $190,953 (grant‑funded) to expand preK–12 library and classroom collections. - Textbook and six‑year digital license purchases for AP Environmental Science and AP U.S. Government and Politics to be ready for fall instruction (totals presented in the packet).

VoIP and technology: District technology staff recommended switching to a Cisco Webex hybrid calling/VoIP platform and said the move would reduce annual service costs, producing roughly $150,000 in savings in the first year and smaller but steady savings thereafter. Staff described the contract as designed to preserve recently purchased Cisco handsets and to avoid major capital replacement costs; implementation details and any equipment purchases would be evaluated for bond eligibility.

Budget and tax action: Financial staff presented a final 2024–25 budget amendment and the proposed 2025–26 general fund starting budget. The board later approved the 2025–26 tax levy resolution (roll call unanimous). Chief financial staff emphasized continuing state funding uncertainty and special education cost pressures, while projecting a modestly positive fund‑balance position under the district’s assumptions; staff warned a worst‑case state funding scenario could require using fund balance.

Votes at a glance (recorded on the transcript): - Amended agenda approval (included adding music furnishings/instruments to consent): motion carried (unanimous). - Consent agenda (including pediatric therapy, music furnishings/instruments, book purchases and related items): motion carried (unanimous roll call). - CTE millage board resolution: motion carried (unanimous roll call). - 2025–26 tax levy resolution: motion carried (unanimous roll call). - Michigan High School Athletic Association membership renewal and other routine board actions: approved by roll call.

What’s next: Many of the contract and purchase items will be implemented over the summer; the district will supply formal contract documents and purchase orders through finance and procurement. If the Washtenaw ISD places the county CTE millage on the November ballot and voters approve it, participating districts would receive allocations in proportion to student counts as described by ISD presenters.

Reporting note: Some dollar figures and multi‑year contract totals were presented orally in the meeting packet and slides; where transcript audio appeared garbled, staff documents listed in the board packet provide the authoritative contract numbers and will be posted with official board minutes.