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Parents and teachers press Ann Arbor board for transparency on layoffs, finances and therapy dog litigation
Summary
Dozens of speakers at the Ann Arbor Public Schools June 26 meeting urged trustees to release the full Plante Moran review, publish layoffs by building and stop spending district funds on litigation over a disputed school therapy dog, saying Title I schools and student‑facing staff have been disproportionately affected.
Dozens of parents, teachers and community members used the public‑comment period on June 26 to press the Ann Arbor Public Schools board for rapid transparency about staffing, finances and district priorities.
Speakers repeatedly demanded that the full Plante Moran review be made public and that the district post a building‑by‑building list of positions that have been laid off, pink‑slipped, surplus‑posted or transferred. Several commenters urged the board to avoid increasing class sizes at Mitchell Elementary, to retain full‑time social workers at high‑need schools and to provide clear, up‑to‑date lists of which positions will be restored if funds permit.
Multiple speakers criticized continued district spending on outside litigation connected to a controversy over a Wines Elementary therapy dog named Gracie. "Stop spending Ann Arbor taxpayer money on litigation when you could be using that money to save teachers and staff that were laid off," several parents said in different comments.
Parents and staff emphasized equity concerns: they said staffing cuts have disproportionately affected Title I schools and students with IEPs and 504 plans. A representative of the Ann Arbor Parent Advisory Committee for Special Education asked trustees to prioritize inclusive practices, consistent communication, and professional development so that IEP requirements and accommodations are met across buildings.
Trustees and the superintendent acknowledged those requests. Superintendent Jazz Parks said the district will post information about positions and Title I impacts at next week's equity committee meeting and that staff will work to clarify impact details as promised.
Public commenters asked that the Plante Moran report be released with minimal redactions and that the district make clear any contractual confidentiality barriers to full disclosure.
