Ann Arbor Public Schools just cut deep. In a tense late-night vote I attended, the board approved a plan to close a 25 million dollar gap. The package includes layoffs for more than 140 staff members. At least 94 are teachers. The vote was 6 to 1. Families, students, and educators packed the room. More than 200 spoke before the decision. The mood was raw. The impact will be real.
What changed tonight
Here is what I confirmed on site and in district documents. The board authorized 20 to 25 million dollars in cuts. That means fewer positions and fewer programs. Elementary world language is on the block in several schools. Middle school pool programs are ending in parts of the district. The administration is also exploring asset sales. That includes the Balas Administration Building.
Class sizes will rise in many classrooms. Tutoring, counseling, and specialist support will tighten. The district has to finalize a revised budget fast. If it does not, state oversight is on the table.
Larger classes, fewer electives, and fewer support staff are likely in the months ahead.
How the district got here
This crisis did not start last week. Enrollment has fallen by roughly 1,100 students since 2020. Staffing grew over the last decade, even as student numbers slipped. Operational spending rose from about 272 million dollars to about 314 million dollars between 2020 and 2025. Contract wage increases, about 9 million dollars annually, added pressure. An accounting choice on a one time pension payment made the budget look stronger for a year. That choice masked the pace of the slide.
Add it up. Fewer students, more staff, and rising costs created a mismatch. The fund balance dropped below a safe level. An audit flagged a shortfall of about 25 million dollars. The board cut some positions through attrition in recent years. It was not enough.
What this means for students and staff
Students will feel the cuts first in daily routines. Homerooms will be fuller. Specialist time will shrink. Some elementary students will lose world language blocks. Some middle schools will lose pool classes. The district will try to protect core instruction. But loss of electives and support staff still hits learning.
Teachers and support staff now face job loss, reshuffling, or longer days. Morale is under strain. I spoke with staff who fear burnout. Families wonder how to keep kids on track. The stakes are high for graduation pathways and college readiness. The choices we make in the next 60 days will matter for years.
Do not wait to seek academic help. Gaps grow fast when schedules tighten.
Job market outlook and career moves for affected staff
There is demand for teachers in key areas across Southeast Michigan. Special education, math, science, bilingual and English learner support are still hiring. Districts need school psychologists and social workers. Charter schools and neighboring districts are watching this closely. They may open fast-track hiring windows in January.
If you received a layoff notice, act this week.
- Update your resume and gather recent evaluations and certifications
- Apply to shortage roles first, including special education and ESL
- Consider interim work, like tutoring or long term sub roles, to bridge income
- Look at higher education advising, nonprofit youth work, and edtech support
Lean on your network. Principals and coaches who know your work can speed interviews.
Skill boosters that pay off
Short, targeted training can unlock offers. Reading intervention, behavior support, and data literacy move you up the stack. If you can lead a grade team, mentor new teachers, or run MTSS meetings, say it clearly. Keep a one page evidence sheet with student growth data and club leadership.
Learning tips for families to protect progress
Families can blunt the damage. Keep a steady routine. Aim for 20 minutes of reading daily and 15 minutes of math practice. Use the public library and free online practice. Join after school clubs run by the city or local nonprofits. If a course or club is cut, find an outside option for the spring.
- Set a simple weekly plan, with reading, math, and one passion project
- Ask teachers for priority skills to practice at home
- Pair older and younger students for peer tutoring
- Track grades weekly, and email early if you see a dip
What comes next and how to fix it
The board must submit a balanced plan to the state soon. The district will negotiate staff placements, program schedules, and possible building moves. Asset sales, including Balas, are under review. To restore trust, I expect three steps in public view.
First, adopt multiyear budgeting with monthly cash reports. People need to see the numbers early. Second, create an independent audit and finance committee with community seats. Third, launch an enrollment plan that is honest about trends. This may include boundary updates, facility consolidation, and new magnets that attract families. Partnerships with local colleges can expand dual enrollment. Work with regional employers to grow career pathways that keep students engaged.
These moves will not fix everything this spring. They will set a path away from crisis budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many jobs are being cut?
A: More than 140 positions are slated for layoffs, including at least 94 teachers.
Q: Which programs are being eliminated?
A: The plan ends some elementary world language classes and middle school pool programs, with more changes possible.
Q: Will class sizes go up?
A: Yes. Many classrooms will see more students as roles are removed and sections are combined.
Q: Could the state take over the budget?
A: If the district fails to restore its fund balance and submit a viable plan, state oversight is possible.
Q: What can families do right now?
A: Keep a steady study routine, contact teachers early, and use community programs to replace lost electives.
The news is hard. The choices are harder. But clear numbers, open planning, and smart career moves can steady Ann Arbor Public Schools, and protect student learning in the months ahead.
