In response to our recent coverage of the ongoing AAPS teacher contract negotiations (Learning in Limbo, Feb. 2026; Water From a Stone, Mar. 2026).

I am writing as a concerned Ann Arbor community member and AAPS parent regarding the ongoing stalemate in contract negotiations with our teachers. The continued inability to reach an agreement that fairly compensates the educators who serve our students is deeply troubling.

Ann Arbor is a city built on the values of education, equity, and opportunity. Our community takes immense pride in its schools, and many families choose to live here (as my family did when we moved here in 2023) specifically because of the strength of the Ann Arbor Public Schools system. Yet despite this reputation, our teachers are paid less than those in many surrounding comparable districts. This disparity is difficult to justify and risks undermining the very foundation that makes our school system strong.

At the same time, Ann Arbor residents pay some of the highest local taxes in the region. Families and taxpayers support these investments because we believe in funding excellent public education and ensuring that the professionals responsible for educating our children are valued and supported. When teachers are compensated at levels below neighboring districts, it raises serious concerns about whether our resources are being aligned with our community’s priorities.

Teachers are not just employees of the district—they are mentors, role models, and the backbone of our educational system. Competitive compensation is essential not only for fairness but also for retaining and attracting the talented educators who make Ann Arbor schools exceptional. When we fail to compensate our educational professionals appropriately, we risk losing them to other districts that recognize their value.

The current stalemate sends a troubling message about how we value the people entrusted with educating our children. In a city known nationally for its commitment to education and equity, allowing our teachers to remain among the lowest paid in comparable districts is both inconsistent with our values and damaging to our reputation.

I urge the Board to work constructively and urgently toward a fair and competitive contract agreement. Our teachers deserve compensation that reflects their professionalism, dedication, and the critical role they play in shaping the future of our community.

Ann Arbor’s identity is inseparable from its commitment to education. Resolving this dispute in a way that supports and respects our educators is not only the right thing to do—it is essential to preserving the quality and integrity of our public schools.

Sincerely,
Sara Reilly
Ann Arbor resident, Tappan and Pioneer parent, educator