As a parent in the Ann Arbor Public Schools district, I cannot overstate the importance of public commentary in our education system. It's a powerful way to ensure all voices are heard, even for those who cannot attend in-person meetings. For the past five years, the AAPS Board of Education has commendably allowed written public commentary to be entered into the PUBLIC meeting record. This inclusive approach has significantly leveled the playing field, bolstering accessibility and equity across the district, including for parents and teachers unable to afford or arrange childcare in order to attend meetings in person.

Yet, there are concerns about possible changes that could diminish this progress. We ask the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education to continue their practice of allowing written public commentary to be included in the online published meeting record shared following meetings. Asking the public to submit a FOIA request to see submitted written public commentary will not only make accessing this important information difficult but will also generate additional unnecessary work for the FOIA coordinator following every board meeting.

Furthermore, we implore the board to steer clear of imposing a qualification requirement for written commentary submissions. Adding disability qualification for written public commentary submission raises legal complications and puts Ann Arbor Public Schools into the difficult position of assessing and determining who is and isn't qualified to submit public commentary in written form.

The AAPS Board of Education must continue to allow all members of our community who would like to submit written public commentary to have that commentary included in the online posted meeting record. Together, we can ensure that all voices remain integral to public discourse. The signers of this petition urge the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education to safeguard the accessibility of public commentary for all.