After a budget shortfall of $25 million was revealed several months ago, AAPS has been treading carefully. With new superintendent Jazz Parks at the helm, many wondered how the district would proceed. In last week’s May 15 meeting, AAPS proposed a budget plan that would have large effects for all school levels. Layoffs would be part of the plan, with 94 teachers among a total of 141.5 total layoffs. The plan also included the potential cutting and reorganization of performing arts, world languages and PLTW.
With voting on the plan postponed until May 20, the AAPS Board of Trustees, along with superintendent Parks, met at Pioneer High School this Monday at 7 p.m. Teachers and members of the AAPS community held a protest outside right before the meeting. “More cuts on the top” was one of the central chants, which meant cutting salaries and members at higher levels of AAPS to support the lower levels like teachers.
During the meeting, a total of 202 comments from the public were read, many of which spoke out with discontent about the proposed plan.
“Do you really want this as your legacy? The board that cut music?” asked an AAPS parent.
“I’m been away from AAPS for about a year now, what in the hell have you done?” 2023 CHS graduate Aaron Puno said. “We are nothing without our teachers and our staff.”
After nearly three hours of public commentary, the board discussed how they would move further. A little after 11 p.m. and hearing from every board member, they finally voted. Although there was a mixed consensus, Parks’ budget plan was approved much to the dismay and disdain of man teachers and parents present.
