Ann Arbor teachers headed into another week without a contract on Thursday as bargaining dragged on and educators trimmed back unpaid work. Dozens of teachers and community members packed Wednesday night’s school board meeting, but trustees left without approving a new deal. Union leaders say students are already feeling the effects as teachers step away from after-school critiques and educator-run clubs while negotiations continue.
“We want our district to be successful, but Ann Arbor teachers are tired of them balancing their budgets on our backs,” AAEA Vice President Tamala Bell told CBS Detroit, criticizing a district counteroffer that would swap some benefits in exchange for higher salaries. Teachers told the station they have gone years without a true cost-of-living raise and say recruitment and retention are paying the price. According to the union, some educators are now leaving mid-year because current salary ranges cannot compete with nearby districts.
Bell also told CBS Detroit that teachers "haven't had a cost-of-living raise since 2006" and that the last meaningful increase, 2.5 percent, fell far short of local inflation. Teachers said canceled evening concerts, paused clubs and reduced after-school grading are already landing on students’ shoulders. Union leaders warn that without a stronger offer, the district should expect more staff to walk away before the school year ends.
State-appointed mediators are now shuttling proposals between the two sides, and negotiators met with a mediator again this month as part of the formal process, according to WEMU. District officials have told local outlets that they want to offer competitive wages but insist any raises must be weighed against the long-term financial health of the school system. Until a new agreement is in place, the district says educators remain covered by the terms of their most recent contracts.
What teachers want
Union leaders are pressing for multi-year raises that close the gap with comparable districts, guaranteed pay for planning time and clear protections against larger class sizes. "When they talk about things like taking away planning time ... that means less time to be well-prepared," AAEA President Fred Klein told WEMU. The union’s website lists leadership contacts and bargaining updates for members and the public, according to the Ann Arbor Education Association.
What to watch next
Talks will continue under the mediator’s oversight, and both sides say they are hoping these sessions narrow the gap before teachers consider more aggressive job actions. The district’s board calendar lists upcoming public meetings at the Earhart administration building, 3700 Earhart Road, where trustees are hearing public comment while bargaining plays out, according to Ann Arbor Public Schools. Parents and students say they are watching to see whether key programs snap back to normal or stay trimmed as negotiations drag on.
For now, classrooms will continue to operate under the old contract’s terms even as after-school life shifts and staffing pressures grow. Mediated bargaining still offers a narrow path to a deal, and both sides say they prefer a settlement at the table rather than a prolonged public showdown.
