Ann Arbor Public Schools is ready for a fresh start in the new year.
The respected school district known for its academic rigor and diversity faced criticism from community stakeholders, parents and educators when it made the difficult decision to lay off teachers and cut language programs in response to an emergency budget deficit.
The district is working to move past its financial instability by moving into the 2025 school year with a balanced budget and looking for new ways to engage its community.
Here’s a breakdown on everything parents should know about Ann Arbor Public Schools in 2025.
1. Overview of Ann Arbor Public Schools
- Phone number: 734-994-2200
- Number of schools: 32
- Number of students: 16,981
- Pupil to teacher ratio: 17:1
- PPE (Per Pupil Expenditures): $18,833
- Quick links: School calendar, enrollment information
- Claim to fame: Ann Arbor Public Schools is known for its academic rigor and commitment to diversity. The district is in an enviable location near the University of Michigan. Its proximity to one of the highest ranking public research universities in the country allows for more educational opportunities for students.
2. Collective bargaining with teachers continues
Despite pushback from community stakeholders, Ann Arbor Public Schools took divisive measures to balance its 2024-25 budget following a projected $20.4 million funding gap. The deficit resulted in a reduction in staff by 6 percent as well as cuts to programs like world language, among other cost-saving measures.
Now, district teachers are rallying against their rising health care costs. The current contract will expire at the end of 2025. Teachers are pushing for their concerns to be reflected in a new contract.
3. New design for Thurston Elementary
Ann Arbor Public Schools has plans to create a new Thurston Elementary. The project is slated to run from 2024 to 2027.
The district is now in the design state of the plan, and groundbreaking may happen as early as this spring. The new elementary school will be located even closer to the Thurston Nature Center.
4. Facilities upgrades continue thanks to $1 billion bond
In 2019, Ann Arbor voters approved a $1 billion bond to span the next 20 years.
The district continues to allocate funds for upgrades and renovations to aging facilities. The agenda for 2025 includes the start of a major modernization to Slauson Middle School as well as new construction for at least four existing elementary schools.
Funding for the Thurston Elementary school construction comes from the 2019 bond.
5. New Rec & Ed Programs
While AAPS Community Recreation and Education has been serving the adults and youth of the district for nearly 100 years, programming is constantly being updated. The department is independently funded but maintains a close partnership with the district.
The organization has five divisions: team sports, lifelong learning, early childhood, before and after care and administration. New programming for kids includes a Super Bowl Cooking Workshop, HockeyTots, Introduction to Mandolin and more.
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