ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Hundreds of Ann Arbor teachers rallied Wednesday night outside the school board meeting, chanting, “We are not the problem.”
They told the board they were angry, frustrated, and worried.
“I don’t know what they’re going to do because they’re not sharing any information with us, and I think that’s our biggest frustration,” said teacher Elisabeth VanVliet.
The school district is facing $25 million in budget cuts, of which $14 million is due to an administrative accounting error.
The district is in turmoil because of the budget shortfall.
“We were told they had five years to fix it, but they want to do it all in one shot, and all it’s going to do is hurt everybody, and it’s going to hurt the students the most,” said Cody Hall.
Teachers addressed the board in waves, one capturing the anguish when he told them, “I have no idea if tomorrow is the day I’m going to lose my job. I have a very simple and direct ask, which I think reflects basic empathy. Tonight, say when we will know if this is going to happen so I can go to sleep tonight, please!”