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1968 Good, Bad To Schoolmen

1968 Good, Bad To Schoolmen image
Parent Issue
Day
30
Month
December
Year
1968
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Donated by the Ann Arbor News. © The Ann Arbor News.
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The year 1968 for the Ann Arbor Board of Education was a bit like Charles Dickens' famous description in "Tale of Two Cities": "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ..." It was good news for the school board when an 11.66-mill operational tax levy was approved by Ann Arbor School District voters lase June 10. The millage had been described as a "life or death" issue by the school board, and the trustees considered its passage crucial. It was also happy news when a two-year contract with the Ann Arbor Education Association was approved during early morning hours of Aug. 15, thus averting a teachers' strike. On the other hand, it was not "the best of times" for the school board when two different bonding issues for school, administrative and library construction were defeated by the voters. A $15.5 million issue was rejected on Jan. 8 by a nearly 2-to-l margin, while a threepart $9.5 million issue was turned down Dec. 18. Unrest at Ann Arbor High School and at some of the city's junior highs last spring and again this fall was likewise a concern to the board and to school district parents. The trouble at Ann Arbor High School began May 24, when an estimated 100 Negro students protested over the use of a curriculum questionnaire distributed to black students only. The protest led to a "tell-off" session at which the black students (approximately 6 per cent of the student body) aired their grievances against the faculty and administration. Following the presentation of "21 demands" by the black students "to correct racial inequities" at the high school, Ann Arbor High was closed for several days because of a number of fights between Negro anc white students which broke out on May 29. "Partial martial law" was in stituted at the high school by former Principal Nicholas Schreiber, and a contingent of about 20 uniformed and plain clothed pólice officers patrolled the grounds and corridors for several days until the schoo year ended June 11. Picket from a number of U-M and city organizations marched at the high school during this time to protest "racial discrimination" I and the "partial martial law." Slight disorders at some ei . the city's junior highs were-also I reported during the period of racial unrest at Ann Arbor High. A new incident triggered more trouble at the high school in the September- bright and early in the school year. The suspension of several male students because of their violation of the school's grooming policies led to a threatened walkout by Pioneer High students and an angry protest against the policies by about 25 parents at a Board of Education meeting. A special Dress and Groomng Committee was appointed in October to review all dress and grooming policies for secondary students in the Ann Arbor public schools. All such regulations have been suspended during the committee's hearings. The committee is expected to issue its report and recommendations on the grooming issue in late January. Another happening which could definitely be classified as "bad news" for the board was the announcement in June and again in December that Huron High School would not be ready for occupancy ntil September of 1969, two years later than originally planned. The main reason given for the delay was the 3i2-month spring construction strike. As a result of the delay, a doublé shift for Pioneer and Huron students was instituted in the Pioneer High building last fall. The shifts will continue through the 1968-69 school year. üther important events in 1968: In February, School Trustee William C. Godfrey suggested that year-around schooling be instituted in the Ann Arbor School District. Alter much study and discussion, including public hearings,' the idea was 'j dropped in April. In March, W. Scott ' man Jr., the school system's a c t i n g superintendent since September of 1967, was appointed superintendent of schools for a three-year term. In April, the Indiana Report on the practices and procedures of the Ann Arbor Board of Education was made public. This study, conducted by a team of consultants from Indiana University at the request of the board, was a fairly critical evaluation and suggested a number of changes to improve the school board' s image and effectiveness. Most of these suggestions have been implemented. Ön June 10, the voters reelected Harold J. Lockett to his second term on the board and selected Richard M. Wood and _ ToH HphspI fnr the Otlier tWO vacant seats. In August, Ronald R. Edmonds was appointed human relations director for the Ann Arbor Public Schools- a historie "first" for the school system here. And what of 1969 and the future? A decisión by the board on grooming policies is expected in January, following the report of the Dress and Grooming Committee. The contents of the report are awaited anxiously by many students and parents. Regarding possible discipline problems in general, the administration plans to have a systemwide discipline policy f o r the secondary schools completed by the beginning of the second sem ester. And school officials hope that actions taken as a result of the 21 demands of the Negro students at Aian Arbor High School, along; with the formation of thre Bi-Racial Committees to advise the superintendent on race relations, will help soothe this potentially troublesome area. Further unrest in both racial and discipline policy areas certainly are possible in today's atmosphere of nationwide protest and dissent. The so-called "underground" newspapers which first appeared at Ann Arbor High School last May (four issues have been published) arè just one of the signs of protest and dissent visible at the high school and at countless schools and universities throughout the country. There will be no problems this fall with the Ann Arbor Education Association, since it has signed a two-year contract which extends to June of 1970. After this date, however, negotiations must open anew, and money problems may again face the school district. Money also will be on the school board's mind this spring and summer, with operational millage and bonding elections are probable. In October, Supt. Westerman suggested a request of "at least" 5.37 milis for operation (this would include a renewal oL 3.S7 milis) might face school district voters in May or June. The school board also is I expected to return to the yoters I this spring or summer for at I least some of the school I struction funds which were I denied in the Dec. 18 election. I And another bond issue tol finance the city's third senior high school may also face vot-l efIf1Ithe electorate again turns down the probable bond issues for school construction, still more problems-such as overcrowded schools-will plague] the school board in the next few years. :