Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

From the outside, it all looks perfect—but not everything is as it seems behind the glass. Here’s a glimpse of what the public eye may not see.

Over the last three years veteran teachers have and are leaving the district in growing numbers, not for better pay or benefits, but for the chance to feel valued and supported elsewhere. Many are willingly taking pay cuts and accepting less favorable insurance plans just to escape an environment where their experience is overlooked, and their voices go unheard. It’s not about the money-it’s about respect, professional fulfillment, and the basic desire to work in a place that sees their worth. When seasoned educators are willing to sacrifice financial stability for a healthier work environment, it’s a clear sign that something is deeply broken.

When school board members are not allowed to enter school buildings without being accompanied by administration or the superintendent, it raises serious concerns about transparency and trust. These elected officials are responsible for overseeing the quality and safety of our schools, yet their access is restricted in a way that suggests something is being hidden. Limiting their ability to see day-to-day operations firsthand undermines their role and sends a troubling message to the community. If everything is running as it should, there should be no fear in allowing board members to walk the halls freely.

Students are steadily leaving the district to enroll in neighboring schools, seeking better academic opportunities, safer environments, or simply a place where they feel more supported. This quiet exodus should be raising red flags, yet it’s being met with silence or dismissal. When families make the difficult decision to uproot their children from their community schools, it’s rarely done lightly—it’s a signal that something isn’t working. Instead of asking why they’re leaving and addressing the root causes, the trend is being brushed aside, as if losing students doesn’t reflect deeper issues within the district itself.

Now more than ever, it’s crucial for the public to stay informed and engaged. If you have questions, concerns, or simply want to understand what’s happening in our schools, make your voice heard by attending the next school board meeting on Monday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m., at Austin High School Annex Recital Hall. These meetings are meant to serve the community, and your presence matters. Don’t let decisions be made behind closed doors or without your input — show up, ask questions, and hold leadership accountable. Our students, teachers, and schools deserve a community that pays attention and speaks up.

Written by a former APS educator.

Ashley Blilie, PhD.

Banfield PTAC President