SOUND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Transparent budgeting, honest projections, and spending that reflects our community's values.
Andy Spencer for AAPS Board of Education
Fix the budget.Put student achievement first.Destination district for teachers and families.
Andy Spencer is a scientist, an AAPS parent, and a neighbor who pays attention to Board meetings so you don't have to. He's running for a four-year seat on the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education.
Why I'm running
As an AAPS parent (and volunteer, and former coach) I've seen the budget pressures, the staffing shortages, and the inequities in our district up close. Our teachers and staff do remarkable work — and they deserve the best Board our community can create to ensure AAPS is run well.
I will be a Board member who listens, asks hard questions, and puts students and families first.
“Our schools are the foundation of this community. When they thrive, we all thrive.”
The budget
The AAPS budget wasn't broken because we don't have enough resources.
Ann Arbor schools benefit from some of the best resources in the state. According to the Plante Moran forensic accounting report, Board members missed “obvious red flags” — then approved the budget anyway. That's why our current budget issues are unacceptable.
Watch Andy explain on Facebook
Source: Plante Moran forensic accounting report
What I stand for
Three priorities for a district that works for every student and every family.
ACHIEVEMENT FOR EVERY STUDENT
Raising the bar district-wide — not just in our best-resourced schools.
DESTINATION DISTRICT FOR TEACHERS AND FAMILIES
Competitive pay for teachers and a culture where educators feel valued — with a strong financial foundation.
Meet Andy
Dad. Coach. Scientist.
Andy's parents were career Michigan public school educators, and so is his brother — together, his family has spent 140 years in Michigan public schools. His two sons attended AAPS.
Read Andy's full story- Ph.D. in Biochemistry; NIH-funded postdoctoral research
- Executive teams at multiple life science companies
- Finance & Audit Committee, Endocrine Society
- Coached freshman basketball at Skyline
What does a school board really do?
The Board sets the direction for spending, teacher support, and family engagement. Here's the job Andy is asking you to hire him for.
Adopt and monitor the budget
In Ann Arbor that's hundreds of millions of dollars a year — including approving major contracts.
Hire and evaluate the superintendent
The Board's only direct employee, and the most important decision it makes.
Approve the curriculum
Oversee what our kids learn to give them the best possible future.
Oversee results
Ask whether students are learning and whether plans are working.
Set policy
The Board writes the rules; staff carry them out.
Represent the community
And explain decisions back to it.
Hear it from Andy
Videos and updates on the budget, teachers, and before & after care — on the Elect Andy Spencer Facebook page.
How to vote
Tuesday, November 3
The school board race is nonpartisan and appears on the nonpartisan section of your ballot. Andy is running for one of four four-year seats — you can vote for up to four candidates.
Every child deserves a great education. Every family deserves a Board they can trust.