Ann Arbor Public Schools will have a “Snow Day” in May – May 3rd to be exact. When I told my daughter this morning, she thought I was playing an April Fools Joke on her. To be clear, this is not an April Fools Joke!
Since many schools are used as polling places, Ann Arbor Public Schools announced this morning that all schools will be closed for the May 3rd election on the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) Millage Increase for Special Education. Ann Arbor Rec & Ed will be providing free alternative programming for families who need childcare that day.
Below is the text of the e-mail that AAPS families received from Dr. Swift.
April 1, 2016
Dear Ann Arbor Public Schools Families, Staff and Community,
Announcement
Due to safety and security concerns that have arisen and that prevent our AAPS team from providing the level of safety and security that we hold as our priority for our children and staff every day, we will close our Ann Arbor Public Schools on election day Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016.
This day will be considered as one of the six ‘forgiven’ days when school is cancelled due to elements outside our control; in this instance, the use of our schools as voting precincts. Because the majority of our schools serve as polling locations, all schools will be closed on this day.
AAPS Rec & Ed will provide a full-day enrichment opportunity (K-5) for families and that opportunity will be offered at no charge to parents on a first-come, first-served basis. This enrichment care is similar to what is offered at other school break times, and will be provided at non-polling school locations, however space for this opportunity is limited so we encourage parents to plan ahead if this program is needed.
I recognize that for many of our district stakeholders, this step of closing schools on May 3 will seem like the right, common-sense approach, and also recognize that for others, this may not seem like a reasonable step.
I thank our parents, students and staff for their patience and understanding as, in making this decision for May 3rd, we will err on the side of student and staff safety. We have announced this decision more than a month in advance in order to provide our families time to prepare for this day.
Over coming months, we will continue working with our partners at the City and County Clerk’s office to refine a district plan for future spring polling days, so that we are well-prepared to address the concern in the future.
Sincerely,
Jeanice K. Swift
Superintendent of Schools
Ann Arbor Public School
Personally, I am left torn on this election. I think it is the right decision to close school since many are used as polling places. I think the money is necessary for the district and will benefit all students. However, I do question the decision to hold this vote in May when voters are already going to the polls in March, August, and November in 2016. I have not heard anything that this millage is urgent and needs to be voted on in May. I am left with the impression that WISD is counting on voter fatigue/low turnout to improve the chances of the millage passing. It seems undemocratic to me and smacks of gaming the system/dirty politics.
While I want to vote Yes to support the district, I want to vote No in protest of holding the vote in May.
