Point Counterpoint

The Superintendent, George Fornero, sent this surprising email to all Ann Arbor Public School employees (and perhaps others) in order to belittle concerned citizens and to influence the City's Planning Commission which has stated some concerns about the negative impact the District's plan for a new high school will have. Is it the policy of the Superintendent to use Public School email to influence City planning?

As you will read, this email begs the question, "if there is so much support, why must the Superintendent himself email people to try to get support?"

On the left is the Superintendent's email from 2/10/2005. On the right-hand side, more information about the the points highlighted in red.

Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 21:51:03 -0500 From: George Fornero <fornero@aaps.k12.mi.us> Subject: [dst_announce] New High School Good afternoon! Second Semester 2005 in the Ann Arbor Public Schools is off to a great start -- my sincere thanks to the students, parents, teachers and staff who are making the second half of the school year a successful one for everyone in Ann Arbor. On Tuesday, January 25, the City of Ann Arbor Planning Commission conducted a community meeting on plans for the new high school, to be constructed on the northeast corner of M-14 and Maple Road. The meeting was held as part of the process by which the new high school site will be annexed from Ann Arbor Township into the City of Ann Arbor. While there is already an agreement in place for such annexation, and while local zoning laws do not apply to the construction of the new high school,	That's right. In Michigan, school districts are completely exempt from local zoning ordinances. This means the AAPS is free to create the traffic nightmare it plans for Ann Arbor, while at the same time destroying much of the natural features of the site and ignoring the students who most need the school.
the School District and the Planning Commission agreed that there should be a public hearing to obtain further public comment and input on site plans for the new school. A small, but vocal, group of homeowners who live near the new high school site on the Northeast corner of M-14 and Maple Road were there to object to the plans.	These are not all local "homeowners" or "neighbors." Those concerned include residents from all over the School District and include the 3800 local members of the Sierra Club.
After listening to their concerns, one Planning Commission member remarked that it appeared this project lacked community support. We know that is not the case,	Of course there is support, but there is also opposition, with real, rationale and well-stated concerns; opposition which the District refuses to acknowledge or listen to.
and we need your help to ensure that the wishes of the majority of Ann Arbor residents who support the new high school are recognized. At the same time, we will continue to work with the neighbors, as we have throughout this process, to attempt to address their concerns.	The District has never seriously worked with those concerned (notice too the use of "neighbors"). The Planning Commission, interacted more with citizens in a couple of hours, than the District did in months of their meetings and vague correspondence. In fact, residents have had to FOIA the District for information that should be shared.
As you know, the new school, scheduled to open in fall 2007, is sorely needed to eliminate the seriously overcrowded conditions at both Pioneer and Huron High Schools. Pioneer, with 2,900 students, is the largest high school in the state. Currently, in order to house all of the students, hundreds have to go to classes each day in portable classrooms on the grounds of the school.	1) Most students and teachers we know and have talked to enjoy the portables. 2) Student population growth will level out by the time the school is planned to be finished. 3) The Superintendent and the District never showed leadership with creative solutions to over-crowding other than blindly following in the path of building and maintaining a monolithic large facility in one place. See: Hard Lessons, a report from the Michigan Land Use Institute.
With 2,100 students, Huron is one of the top five largest high schools in Michigan, and also is experiencing overcrowded conditions both in the school and on the campus. At both campuses, traffic and pedestrian safety are a constant focus of attention.	Again, the Superintendent and the District never promoted creative solutions to over-crowding. See: Hard Lessons, a report from the Michigan Land Use Institute.
Students and parents have complained loudly about this for years. Overcrowded buildings do not result in the best possible outcomes for students.	Neither do large schools. That is why the Superintendent should have pushed for multiple smaller schools.
For that reason, Ann Arbor voters approved the funding for construction of the new high school on June 14, 2004. While the vote for the new high school and related improvements passed by a wide margin,	The vote passed, but it is clear that the District intended to mislead voters and the public at large by not mentioning the site explicitly in the ballot language or in the bond package to the State. Many who voted for the school did not know it would destroy most of a natural parcel of land that should be in the Greenbelt or that it would create a dangerous traffic nightmare.
and while the site has been planned for a school ever since it was acquired by the School District in the mid-1960s,	Subsequent development and the construction of a highway next to the parcel has made it a terrible and dangerous choice for a high school.
there is a group of neighbors from around Maple Road who have expressed concerns about the location of the new high school.	Again, this is not a neighborhood group. The Superintendent insists on ignoring the hundreds of signatures of District residents on a petition asking the District and Board to reconsider the folly of this site as a high school.
Their stated concerns about the new site generally fall into five areas: the planning process, site selection process, traffic/safety, environmental and the need for another comprehensive high school. I will address each area individually.	This is true, but completely ignores a very important concern: demographics, population distribution and the turning away from the economically disadvantaged students of Ann Arbor.
Planning Process The accusation by a few neighbors	It's not "neighbors." It's people from all over Ann Arbor, from all disciplines, and groups.
that the planning process was not "open" and that it "denied opportunities for input" is perhaps the most disappointing allegation to me and to the staff of Ann Arbor Public Schools. Since this process began, we have conducted more than 50 different community meetings to ensure that this was an open process that encouraged public input.	Firstly, we never were contacted about these meetings before the ballot and chances are you weren't either. Secondly, the writer confuses those meetings with attempts to have input after the ballot.
In fact, due to resident input, many modifications have been made to the site plan as evidenced by the 17 new and different site plans presented since the initial plan was unveiled in August 2004.	All plans have been so similar as to be nearly identical. Click here to see the plans. 17 plans: in one a feature would move to one spot and in the next plan, move back.
Modifications resulting from resident input include enhancements to the school's environmental sensitivity,	"Sensitivity" includes filling in a beautiful and unique wetland, cutting down about 25% of a hardwood forest. 65% of the land will be clearcut.
adjustments to the athletic fields,	Shuffling athletic fields from one spot to another, always with the same amount of clear-cutting.
increased buffers, revisions to the parking area, and improved vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access to address traffic and safety concerns.	800 parking spaces encouraging student driving (and pollution) for a "green" school.
Traffic/Safety The safety of the students and the public has always been of utmost importance. For this reason, Ann Arbor Public Schools retained a preeminent engineering firm, Midwest Consulting, and worked closely with the City of Ann Arbor, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Washtenaw County Road Commission, to assess and develop enhancement plans	Undecided is who is responsible for paying for the extensive road changes outside the purview of the bond money.
to ensure effective and efficient traffic flow and the safety of drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.	Visit the area and you will see there is nothing safe about biking, walking or even driving there.
Enhancement plans include placing traffic lights at both ramps at M-14 and Maple, as well as a traffic light at the main vehicle entrance to the school.	... which will cause backups on the M-14 ramps.
Lanes on Maple Road will be increased from two to four from M-14 to the main entrance to the new school	... which will encourage fast lane changing and increased speeds for student drivers.
and will include both bike paths and sidewalks.	This site is clearly not a site anyone will want their kids walking to, crossing M-14 or going along Newport Rd. with no sidewalks.
Traffic engineering models reflect that these measures will address and even improve vehicular traffic in the area despite the increased number of drivers.	They do not reflect anything of the sort. Public demonstrations of traffic models have been uninformative at best and do not take into account weather conditions, the real volume of traffic at peak times, or what happens when an accident occurs.
In addition, we intend to implement a variety of incentives to encourage non-motorized transportation and carpooling.	To "encourage" carpooling by building 800 parking spaces is either wrong-headed or disingenuous.
This will not only alleviate traffic concerns but also be more "friendly" from an environmental perspective.	This is worse than disingenuous. There is nothing environmentally friendly about this site or about clearcutting acres and acres for students to drive cars that increase fossil fuel use.
Finally, it is important to note that the current traffic congestion at both Pioneer and Huron will be decreased significantly after the new school opens.	Is the only answer to reducing congestion at the other schools to create worse congestion and a much more dangerous traffic situation at the new school? By waiting for the construction of a new school in order to accomplish this improvement, the Superintendent further demonstrates the lack of commitment by the district to address environmental and traffic concerns. What faith can we have that they would follow through with implementing incentives for car-pooling or similar environmentally "friendly" practices?
Site Selection Process The M-14 and Maple Road site for the new high school was chosen only after a careful site selection process. While current ownership of the site was one consideration, a number of other considerations were taken into account in selecting this site. During the course of the site selection process, several alternative sites were identified, which included the land adjacent to Pioneer High School and several vacant parcels in Pittsfield Township. Each was analyzed in terms of feasibility, legal implications, the availability of necessary infrastructure (including sewer, water and road improvements),	All previous information from the District stated that it was the cost of sewer, water that eliminated a site. The sale of the M-14 site, so it could be used as a park, part of the Greenbelt, would have more than offset any stated cost for other sites.
proximity to student population	This is worse than disingenuous. See the demographics of Ann Arbor and where this site doesn't fit in.
and other planning considerations. Importantly, the site selection process also took into account	Never spelled out or shared with the public, even after repeated requests for the information.
academic considerations that are uniquely within the province of the district to evaluate.	Does this sound like arrogance? That the public is not to be trusted to evaluate these considerations? Yes. Even after repeated requests for information, these mysterious "academic considerations" were never mentioned until now, and are still not explained.
Hence, each site also was analyzed in terms of on-site educational opportunities, potential impact on future redistricting and other factors relevant from an academic perspective. After carefully balancing all applicable considerations, the administration recommended, and the Board of Education approved, the M-14 and Maple Road site. Accordingly, this was the site recommended during the bond campaign, and this was the site approved by the voters.	This is patently untrue. The voters were not given a chance to approve this site; it was never mentioned on the ballot. Voters approved a bond for improvements to buildings and construction of a high school. They did not approve any site.
Environment Complaints were raised by a few neighbors that the school will harm wetlands and wildlife habitats in the area.	The Sierra Club wrote a series of letters to the District with deep concerns and asking for conservation easements. The District wrote back without responding to those concerns. Again, the picture painted of a "few neighbors" is more than misleading.
In fact, we are saving the majority of wetlands and forested areas in the project area	Some of the wetlands and forested areas are planned to be kept. Of course, how they will fare in and around a high school is worrisome. The wildlife corridor will not exist during or after construction.
and plan on integrating environmental education on-site, into an outdoor classroom, as part of the core school curriculum. Preservation efforts at the site exceed Ann Arbor's strong environmental ordinance and protect wetlands, forest and wildlife.	The lesson students will learn is that of encouraginng sprawl and how unregulated bodies can do whatever they want including overrunning the environment.
A small frog pond will be relocated to ensure its survival.	Filling in a frog pond and even careful attempts to replicate it elsewhere in no way ensure the survival of the species that use it.
Plans also include advanced water control systems that "harvest" storm water for recycling.	Covering 1/3 of the area with concrete is what forces having to "harvest" storm water. The wetlands on this site tie into the creek which ties into the Huron river. Run-off would be easier to handle if parking lots were not expansive.
Need for another comprehensive high school The overcrowding at our other two high schools speaks for itself. We are not just a little overcrowded - Pioneer and Huron are operating far beyond their intended capacity. This does not create the best scenario for student achievement.	Clearly something must be done to alleviate the overcrowding. Creative leadership and planning are needed, not another cookie-cutter large school, which the District admits will not address class size or student achievement.
The June Bond vote clearly pointed the direction that Ann Arbor residents want the School District to pursue. A new high school along with technology and curriculum upgrades, topped the list. We reviewed many ideas for expanding our capacity, including alternate sites, smaller high schools and expansions to Pioneer and Huron. After extensive review the current plan to construct the new facility at M-14 and Maple Road was considered the best option.	This blames the Ann Arbor voters for the lack of vision and leadership in the AAPS administration.
While we understand that we cannot please everyone with this decision, it is the conclusion of a number of experts, administrators, education professionals, Ann Arbor residents - and most importantly the Ann Arbor voters - that this is a good plan for Ann Arbor Public Schools and for our students, parents, faculty and staff.	This is a condescending dismissal of valid concerns and questions of educational professionals and experts who don't agree with the District's assessments (PhDs in aquatic biology and urban planning, etc.), and of the residents who voted for a Greenbelt in numbers greater than those who voted for a bond whose school had no site specified.
I know most of you support our efforts to construct this new school and recognize its value to the community. It is important that you let the Planning Commission and the City Council know of your support. The Planning Commission can be reached by email at planning@ci.ann-arbor.mi.us. Access to the email addresses of City Council members is available at http://www.ci.ann-arbor.mi.us/Mayor/council.html. The mailing address is the same for both City Council and the Planning Commission: City Hall 100 N. Fifth Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48104	Why does the Superintendent of Schools in Ann Arbor feel the need to personally ask Ann Arbor Public School District employees to influence the Ann Arbor City Council?
Also, I strongly encourage you to show your support for the new high school by attending the Planning Commission's meeting on February 15, at 7:00 p.m., at which the Commission will make a recommendation regarding the new high school site. Parents and students are welcome. The meeting is held in the city council chambers at City Hall. As always, please feel free to contact me to discuss these or any other matters. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, George Fornero -- Dr. George V. Fornero Superintendent Ann Arbor Public Schools 2555 S. State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734.994.2230 734.994.2414 (FAX)	Residents on both sides of the issue attended. The Planning Commission voted to deny approval of the annexation, voted not to approve the zoning and area plan promoted by the District, and voted unanimously for a resolution to support legislation at the State level to stop exempting Michigan school boards from local zoning ordinances (so that this abuse will not happen in the future). We commend the Commission on their courage.