Two weeks ago, we finalized an individualized education program for our son, Nevada, who is autistic and enrolled in Young 5s at Mitchell Elementary. A lovely group of school professionals sat around a table eating brownies I brought and explaining what they had planned for our boy.

Things were going well. Nevada had largely integrated into the general-education class and aced his incoming assessments – he was at or ahead of grade level despite his speech delay and other issues.

But the next day, the speech therapist announced she was leaving Mitchell. That Monday, the occupational therapist left, too. Both went to other posts within Ann Arbor Public Schools. Then, later in the week, the special education teacher took a job outside the district.

MLive this week posted a story about AAPS’s efforts to combat the “special education teacher shortage.” It’s more than teachers – at Mitchell, the entire therapeutic infrastructure collapsed in a matter of days. Either coincidentally or consequentially, within days our son became unmoored and impossible to keep focused. In one of many incidents when he tried to run away from the school, he sustained a head injury requiring a concussion screening.

I’ve got more to say about this in a public Facebook post but clearly AAPS is not giving Mitchell and other schools what it needs to fulfill many IEPs. The changes associated with this year’s $20.5 million in budget cuts have impacted some of these jobs. And yet, the school board must know they’ll pay out a lot more than those modest savings if even one of these kids gets seriously hurt because of the lack of support – to say nothing of the litigation to come if these kids’ IEPs cannot be properly executed. Next week’s board meeting should be, uh, lively.

Your news is here, as usual. And, also, L’Shanah Tovah. Can you believe it’s already 5785?

– Steve Friess, editor

District grapples with special ed teacher shortage: As worried parents expressed frustration and anger at last week’s AAPS board meeting, superintendent Jazz Parks said her staff is “working diligently to ensure that our positions are filled,” MLive reports. There are at least five special education teacher vacancies listed; the problem is common at districts across the county. Concetta Lewis, assistant superintendent for special education, told the board she has a four-part plan that includes paying for existing employees with bachelor degrees to get master’s degrees in special ed and looking to increase pay for long-term substitutes.

Seven candidates, including two incumbents, criticize current AAPS board: After a volatile year in which the superintendent was fired and a $25 million budget hole was discovered, James Leonard asked how they’d grade the current board for this month’s Observer. The most generous answer was “needs improvement.” The worst? “A D or F.” Board president and attorney Torchio Feaster is running unopposed to finish the term he was appointed to, and one-term trustee and WCC prof Ernesto Querijero is running alongside five other candidates for three open seats: business development manager Megan Kanous, Skyline High tennis coach Eric Sturgis, Don Wilkerson, director of IT risk advisory services for Rehmann who ran unsuccessfully in 2014 and 2016, Leslie Wilkins, an MBA who ran unsuccessfully in 2022, and Glynda Wilks, a former AAPS teacher turned freelance editor. Wilkerson calls this “the most important school board election in the last twenty years.”

City proposal questions take center stage in 2024 election: With no city council contests, the most impactful items locally are referenda to create a city-owned “sustainable energy utility,” make city elections nonpartisan, and provide public funding for council and mayoral candidates, Jim Leonard writes in this month’s Observer. Proposal A would authorize the city to “supply, generate, transmit, distribute, and store electricity, heat, cooling, light, and power (all from renewable sources)” and “provide energy-related services.” Mayor Christopher Taylor supports the energy proposal but opposes the electoral changes, which the Coalition for Ann Arbor’s Future says will make city council elections more competitive. Each requires more than 60 percent of the vote to pass.

Two new road closures: E. William St. between S. Fifth Ave. and S. Division St., closed since Monday to erect a tower crane, is expected to reopen tomorrow by 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Prairie Street between Plymouth Rd. and Briarcliff St., shuts down Monday until Oct. 18 for the demolition of utility leads, according to the city.

A2 lands $3.1M grant for Bryant decarbonization: The money, announced by the Michigan Public Service Commission, aims to accelerate transitioning fifty homes in the low-income neighborhood to green energy and full electrification. It’s the latest and most significant windfall for the joint effort of the city and the nonprofit Community Action Network. The city also drew a $588,000 federal grants in 2003 for a geothermal heating and cooling network and a $500,000 state grant in 2022 to decarbonize twenty homes in the area.

City formalizes partnership to reuse wood waste: Urban Ashes will now accept the trunks of trees that have to be removed because of storm damage, disease or decline, or to facilitate city projects, according to a press release. The firm will attempt to market the material for uses that could include lumber, flooring, furniture, art, architectural design, or household goods.

Green energy, better transportation envisioned in U-M future: The long-gestated Campus Plan 2050 envisions a future in which the campus is carbon neutral, an automated, elevated train system connects the North, Medical, and Central campuses, and a North Campus Innovation District boasts an on-campus hotel and conference center, the University Record writes. The whole plan is here.

10,000 trees planted six years ahead of schedule: The initiative, part of the A2Zero plan to get the city to carbon neutrality by 2030, turned out to be a hit, the city writes in a press release. These trees were planted by residents on private property across the county thanks in part to tree giveaway programs; the next phase involves planting another 10,000 trees on public lands in the city proper, according to Sean Reynolds, Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI) senior analyst and creator of the 10,000 Trees Initiative.

Too few run for Lincoln Consolidated Schools board seats: The district has only two candidates running for three seats this fall, MLive reports (paywall). Though absentee voting has already begun, write-in candidates can still file until Oct. 25. The board will appoint a trustee if no one is elected.

Washtenaw International High ninth-grader to compete in National Civics Bee: Evan Zhen, fourteen, heads to Washington, D.C. to represent the state on Nov. 12 in the test of knowledge of government and civic problem-solving, MLive reports (paywall). Zhen, who lives in Canton Twp., punched his ticket in June with a presentation about how to make a dangerous intersection safer – and how he’d fund it.

Ypsilanti council meeting ends in chaos, arrest: A proposal to increase police patrols downtown was met with dozens of protesters and led to a scuffle during a recess in which one person was detained, MLive reports. Blaming increased homelessness and a lack of supportive services for problems including open drug use and sex acts, violence, and theft, protesters called for more social services rather than more cops. Property owners and shopkeepers in the area implored the council to empower police to be a stronger presence. The meeting was ended without taking any votes, and the issue is not on the next meeting’s agenda.

Five U-M grads accused of espionage: The suspects, all from China, were apprehended while attempting to surveil a joint Taiwanese-U.S. National Guard military training exercise at Camp Grayling near Traverse City, the Detroit News reports (paywall). The twenty-eight-page criminal complaint alleges the then-students were found with cameras near numerous military vehicles, tents and classified communications equipment. They face several charges including conspiracy, lying to federal investigators, and destroying records during a federal investigation. All are now back in China.

Flat Rock man found dead in downtown alley: Police are investigating the death of a twenty-seven-year-old found in the 500 block of E. William St. last week, MLive reports (paywall). The death does not appear to be suspicious at this time, police say.

Michigan Medicine union authorizes one-day strike: Members of SEIU Healthcare Michigan voted overwhelmingly to give leaders the ability to threaten a walkout as contract negotiations continue, the Michigan Advance writes. The 2,700 workers include respiratory therapists, ECMO specialists, phlebotomists, patient care technicians, inpatient unit clerks, and clerical staff.

Chelsea Hospital opens $11M rehab unit: The expansion of the facility’s Adult Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, a joint venture with Michigan Medicine, treats patients who have suffered “trauma, stroke, brain injuries, neurological diseases, spinal cord injuries, cancer, amputation, cardiac/pulmonary diseases, and organ transplants,” according to a press release from Trinity Health. Last year, the hospital closed its in-patient mental health unit and last month relocated its urgent care to a separate facility in Chelsea.

Students rally on Diag to oppose antisemitism: About 500 people attended the event Friday amid a wave of anti-Jewish incidents that have included physical assaults and vandalism, the Michigan Daily writes. Jewish Resource Center president Daniela Portnoy, an LSA junior, says the event was scheduled for parents’ weekend to show “we are strong and we are proud to be Jewish, and this is a safe place for our students to be.”

Garrett’s Space wins final site plan approval: With a unanimous vote of the Superior Twp. planning commission, the nonprofit center for youth facing mental health crises can move ahead with plans to build a 10,000-square-foot residence and 2,000-square-foot creativity studio on its seventy-six-acre plot, according to an email from the organizers. Garrett’s Space is named for Garrett Halpert, who died by suicide in 2017. 

Jeff Daniels considered closing Purple Rose Theatre: The celebrated actor tells the Detroit News (paywall) he almost gave up his Chelsea venture amid the struggles of the Covid pandemic and the controversial exit of the theater’s longtime artistic director. He was persuaded to keep going by his son, Lucas, who works there, and other key staffers who reinvigorated his desire to save regional theater. Daniels is now artistic director and says he’s focused on comedy “because funny sells to everybody.” 

Barstool CEO floats idea of paying $3M a year for Wolverines quarterback: Dave Portnoy, an alum and prominent figure in online sports media, says he’d do it to attract and keep a top QB transfer, Mediaite reports. Although student-athletes can now profit from their name, image, and likeness, schools aren’t permitted to just hand them money, but Portnoy suggests he’d cloak the deal as pay for a weekly appearance on his podcast. “Three-million-dollar marketing agreement, I think that’s legal!” he says.

Mission Restaurant Group opens Texacano above Mash: The purveyors of Jolly Pumpkin, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co., Pretzel Bell and Blue Tractor BBQ and Brewery have a new fusion spot, MLive reports. Texacano is on the second floor at 209 E. Washington St. and shares an entrance with its sister business, the bourbon, whiskey and beer bar known as Mash. General Manager Dave Horchem says the Tex-Mex spot is a fast-casual option aimed at U-M students seeking a quick bite to eat.

University Flower Shop branches out: The venerable florist, founded in 1931 and a fixture at Nickels Arcade since 1963, has expanded to the west side with a second, much larger production and sales site on S. Wagner Rd., Dave Algase reports in this month’s Observer. It was revitalized in 2015 when Dani Vignos, fresh out of college, bought it. Now Vignos lives in Chicago and has two partners, Charles Scrase and Davang Shah, who worked together at Google for more than a decade.

East Asian-inspired bakery takes over cafe space: The marquee at 324 S. State St. on what used to be the Ann Arbor Coffee Roasting Co. changed last month to ONDO, which had been operating there since owner Min Kyu Kim bought it in February, the Michigan Daily reports. Kim also owns Kimchi Box. The new business offers “freshly baked cakes, artisanal pastries, and a carefully curated brunch menu, all made with locally sourced ingredients,” according to its website.

A2-based non-profit seeks donations for Helene victims: The Book Industry Charitable Foundation hopes to raise $10,000 to match a gift from Macmillan Publishers to help owners and employees of bookstores and comic shops in the southeastern U.S. harmed by last week’s deadly hurricane, according to a press release. To give, click here.

Volunteers to help restore Prospect Park on Sunday: Area residents and neighborhood association leaders hope to rehab the native plant garden that has been overcome by shrubs, saplings, and wildflowers, Concentrate reports. Anyone interested in weeding, mulching, and restoring the Luna Lake garden to its former glory can join the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves, shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows if possible. For more information, click here.

Skyline High teacher feted Friday for combatting child abuse: The Washtenaw Area Council for Children is honoring Anne Bezeau with the Community Hero Award on Friday at its Gathering For Good fundraiser, according to an AAPS press release. Bezeau is receiving the accolade for “her proactive advocacy in bringing WACC’s Cyber Safety and Wellness & Resilience training to her students.” To attend the soiree, which is at 6 p.m. at the Lake Forest Golf Club, buy tickets, which start at $250 each, here.

By Jennifer Taylor

Friday: Catch a free public carillon bell performance from the top of Burton Tower in central campus. It’s part of the 2024 U-M Organ Conference Great Lakes Regional Carillon Gathering, which includes performances by U-M students, carillon faculty, and visiting carillonneurs. Today: U-M carillon professor Tiffany Ng (5 p.m.) performs Navajo composer Connor Chee’s “Into the Glittering World” and other works. Fri. and Sat., below Burton Tower, 230 N. Ingalls. Free. (734) 764–0583.

Saturday: Laugh at jokes and stories from Brooklyn-based comic Hari Kondabolu, a former immigrants’ rights activist and NPR Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me! regular whom the New York Times dubbed “incisively funny and formally adventurous.” Alcohol is served. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs., Fri. and Sat.) and 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 (Thurs.) and $25 (Fri. & Sat.) online or at the door. (734) 996–9080. 

Sunday: At the U-M Museum of Natural History’s ID Day, bring in your collected natural treasures (rocks, shells, fossils, arrowheads, shards of pottery, bones, insects, skulls, seeds, leaves, etc.) for identification by experts in paleontology, anthropology, archeology, botany, zoology, and geology. No appraisals of monetary value. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Natural History Museum, 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478.

See the Observer’s online calendar for many more local events. 

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