Kanous, Megan - Ann Arbor Public Schools
Are you an incumbent?
No
Brief Intro of Candidate
I am an Ann Arbor Public School Parent to a rising 7th Grader at Forsythe and 3rd Grader at Haisley. I have been active in Haisley's PTO since 2017 and have volunteered a lot of time at Haisley, Forsythe and as a Girl Scout leader. My professional life has been spent in Ann Arbor, largely in the retail and manufacturing sector , building relationships, negotiating contracts and finding creative solutions while providing customer service to all internal and external partners of the companies I've worked for and with.
Endorsements
Ann Arbor Education Association (AAPS Teachers Union), Better Boards Better Schools , Fems for Dems
Top financials Contributors
Website and social media links
my friends, family and neighbors in Ann Arbor
https://www.voteformegankanous.org/ https://www.facebook.com/MeganKanousA2BOE/ https://www.instagram.com/megankanous/
How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
I would engage with our community by ENGAGING in our community: Making myself available at public School events, setting up public meetings at our individual schools and reaching out to student, teacher and parent/caretaker student groups that I am not currently a part of. I would also network and reach out to leaders within the spaces who work with the students each days who may not have parents or caretakers at home that are available for such meetings. Creating spaces for open dialogues so that I can listen and learn. I would also share out what I am learning and verify. This should help our community create a forward-looking plan for Ann Arbor Public Schools.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
In regards to school discipline, I know our teachers, principals and staff do their best to adjust to each student regarding the expectations of the Students within the Rights & Responsibilities of providing a safe learning environment. That said, as a Board Member, we can be vigilant with reviewing current practices, gathering anecdotal experiences from our students, families and teachers, and hold our Superintendent accountable for making sure that adequate training for teachers and staff are available. Board Members should go through a similar training and learn from the leaders and other schools who are making advances with Restorative Practices and how to check on internal biases. I would also like to look for creative solutions in funding the additional supports for the students and teachers that AAPS has had to cut that will have a direct impact on making sure we can get in front of meeting a Student's individual needs.
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
In regards to Mental health, the School's job is to make each student feel safe. Currently a large portion of State funding is in limbo that was part of a three year program to give Mental Health Supports to Schools...additional teacher training, more bodies and new positions filled by experts in Mental Health and how to connect and screen students. Board Members can work with their State Representatives to show them how to continue giving support towards Mental Health and advocating for any additional resources while learning how we spent the money we had been given over the last three years and where the most success had come from.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
In order to improve Black Student Achievement in our schools we need to continuously review and analyze how we are funding the support that goes beyond the general classroom. Access to Before & After care, Reading Specialists, Math Specialists, and any other enrichment programs that can be done during school hours while those students are in our care. We need to attract and retain teachers and administrators that are representative of our student body and help ALL our teachers meet the needs of their Black Students and Families by listening to our teachers and those caretakers in after school programs. As a Board Member in AAPS, I would reach out to our Black Student Support and Parent Group, Peace Neighborhood Center and our schools with a higher percentage of Black Students to see if I could attend their public meetings with the understanding that I'm there to listen and build trust.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
As a current parent and community member, I show up for these students and families now. As a Board Member, I don't plan to stop. I will listen and be an advocate for community and look to strengthen the trust and communication between the Board, Teachers, and our broader community. The AAPS Board of Education does set aside time at each meeting for those within Student Groups to have their voices heard. We have to look at each decision that we make as a Board in regards to the Budget and Policies set to see how it impacts ALL of our students, including those that may not be comfortable raising their voices in public. We need to be proactive on ensuring that our decisions are inclusive and equitably executed.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
In Ann Arbor we are currently going through a large teacher layoff and recall period, while also managing negotiations with the our teacher's Union. Building up a sense of trust between the Superintendent, the Board, the Union and all of our families is of utmost importance at this point and managing our District's budget so that we don't come to this circumstance again. Engaging our Union's subcommittee of Minority Affairs would be one way for our Board to understand specific needs and wants of our AAPS Staff of Color as well as engaging at a public meeting or reach outs for those positions that are not Unionized. Engaging with our State leaders to find out what funds could be directed towards this effort and within the Union guidelines would be the next step.