As the search for a new superintendent continues, the Ann Arbor Public school district has prioritized student involvement and feedback.
Groups of students from each high school got the chance to share their perspective and views about their school experiences and ideas, so a new superintendent could have some of the qualities outlined by students.
The questions were focused on students’s likes and dislikes of AAPS, and what qualities we as students want to see in our new superintendent. This ensured that students had the opportunity to have input on the future of our schooling.
One of the main points brought up is students are hoping for a superintendent who is more present in the schools. CHS Senior Seven Steiner got the chance to give their thoughts and input. This was one of the biggest things that Steiner is hoping for, so that the superintendent is more involved with the students and community as a whole.
“I am glad that they are asking students from all high schools for feedback,” Steiner said “I think that’s a really important part of this process and looking for a new person.”
CHS Junior Sam Austin, thinks that it’s very important for people to keep in mind the student perspective while finding a new superintendent.
“I think it’s really important to have a say in how the school district runs and their students to be able to talk about what’s important to them,” Austin said “So I was glad that I got to give a little bit of feedback on what I think the most important issues are for students.”
The meeting was over zoom, and lasted approximately 45 minutes. Throughout the entire time, it was very focused on the student perspective. The main goal was to understand exactly what students want to see in the new superintendent.
Each high school had a different day of the week to join the zoom, so that it could be easier to focus on individual high school students.
In the course of the next few months, students will be able to meet some of the candidates, and be able to give more input in choosing the next superintendent for AAPS.
