Ann Arbor Schools has tried hard not to cut teachers. Here are some cost savings:

• Class sizes were increased for all grades.
• The middle school program was restructured, taking away coordinated teaching and teaming (for 7th and 8th grades) and an elective period, in order to save $2.3 million a year.
• Many curriculum coordinators, who helped teachers develop programs and meet state standards, were eliminated.
• All but essential custodial work is being done every other day.
• Many enrichment programs and nearly all field trips are paid for with parent donations, if at all.
• Services are being consolidated at the county level to cut costs.
• Capital investments have helped to cut energy and maintenance costs.

Here are some salary and benefit cuts school staff members have already taken:

• Employee salaries have been frozen or risen slower than inflation over the past several years.
• Employees have contributed more toward their health care costs, and the district has capped the amount it contributes to health care and how much that amount could go up each year.
• Food service workers were privatized, with diminished benefits.
• Administrative and support positions have been left empty, leaving others to pick up the slack.