ANN ARBOR, MI - The Ann Arbor Education Association and other bargaining units representing 2,000 employees have demanded the Ann Arbor School Board rescind two motions toward the removal of Superintendent Jeanice Swift.
The teachers union published an open letter with support from the Ann Arbor Administrators Association, as well as several bargaining units for office professionals and paraeducators, as well as the Association of School and Community Service Administrators and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees - Technical Support Personnel, stating they are “extremely distressed” with the actions taken by the school board on Aug. 7.
The Ann Arbor School Board approved both motions by a pair of 4-3 votes during the special meeting. The first motion involves the board sending the 10-year veteran superintendent a contractually-required pre-termination notice without cause. A second motion approved by the board has allowed AAPS’ attorney to enter into negotiations with Swift on a separation agreement.
The teachers union said the situation and the lack of open communication leading up to it erodes trust, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and speculation.
“The last-minute decision to hold a meeting on Monday, Aug. 7 was not transparent and gave the appearance that a last minute, backroom deal was made,” the letter reads. “The confusion, ambiguity, and lack of forthrightness brought about by these actions have caused concern and anxiety in our community and membership.
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“Principals and administrators, who serve as the cornerstone of effective school leadership, now find themselves navigating uncharted waters without a clear understanding of the direction we are headed. The abrupt change and potential departure of the Superintendent raises questions about the continuity of ongoing initiatives, curriculum planning, and student support services, leaving principals to grapple with these challenges while striving to maintain a sense of stability within their schools.”
The five-page letter focuses on the “sudden upheaval” caused by the board’s decision to pass the motions toward removing Swift, leading to “apprehension about their job security and the overall direction of the district.”
“A transparent and collaborative approach to such a pivotal decision would have provided the reassurance and clarity they need to continue delivering quality education to our students,” the letter states. “However, it is our students who are most profoundly impacted by the lack of transparency and the unforeseen changes in leadership. They rely on a stable educational environment to thrive academically, emotionally and socially. The sudden plan towards terminating the Superintendent not only disrupts this stability but also sends a disconcerting message about the school district’s commitment to their well-being and education.”
Since the meeting, some members of the board who voted in favor of the motions to remove Swift have offered more detailed explanations behind why they voted in favor of moving the district in a different direction.
Board President Rima Mohammad said while board members are limited in what they can say due to ongoing litigation, she wanted to assure the community the board is being transparent in how it is carrying out its actions.
“There were concerns raised through my time on the Board from fellow Trustees, and from parents, students and teachers, but no formal Board action or decision was made prior to the meeting on (Aug. 7),” Mohammad said. “I do want to reassure the community that we are being transparent.
“I also want to reassure the community that the decisions made recently regarding the superintendent were not taken lightly and were given significant thought. Given longstanding concerns that have compounded over time, the board decided to contemplate termination and enter formal negotiation on a separation agreement with Dr. Swift. I will ensure that any transition, if taken, will be smooth with the least amount of disruption, and we will work with Dr. Swift throughout this process.”
Board member Jeff Gaynor offered several reasons why he felt it was time for a change in the superintendent, noting that many of the same concerns he had when he joined the board in 2016 remain.
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Gaynor observed the district has changed during his time on the board, as well -- teachers and staff are now “more fearful to speak up than ever” and teachers have not been consulted when important decisions need to be made. Gaynor also provided a response to the AAEA’s letter here.
" At the very least (teachers and staff) don’t feel heard and speaking up seems futile,” Gaynor wrote. “The draconian evaluation system for teachers, and the culture in which some teachers say they fear their principals instead of looking to them for support, have had a harmful effect on morale and more importantly, the safety of our most vulnerable students.”
Beyond what they described as a lack of transparency, the employee associations’ letter asks what performance metrics were used in deciding to make the motions to remove Swift, stating that terminating an employee without cause is “arbitrary, capricious and lacks objectivity, fairness and equity,” pointing to the superintendent’s longstanding record of “highly effective” evaluations.
The letter demands that the board’s process be done transparently, that the board seek input from community stakeholders before making “any decision of this magnitude” and that any future decision be “objective, performance based, and follow a process that is communicated publicly.”
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