New Mitchell Elementary School to Break Ground This Spring

Groundbreaking for the new Mitchell Elementary School is scheduled to begin this spring.

According to some residents, Mitchell is currently understaffed. Jordan Else, a resident, said that many students are leaving the school because of a lack of the necessary support services. However, excitement is building as the community anticipates a brand-new facility.

Originally constructed in 1951, Mitchell Elementary is situated on approximately 10 acres of land.

Some critics of the proposed new building consider it financially irresponsible due to the district’s “huge deficit, alarming declining enrollment, and the huge increase in health benefits cost to teachers,” according to resident Dick Mattie. However, supporters of the new building note that funding for the new construction comes from a large, multiphase bond issue that district voters approved in 2019.

The new Mitchell Elementary School is slated to include sustainable features according to AAPS website, such as a renewable energy system and improved traffic management to address current congestion challenges. Other planned improvements include enhanced playground facilities, improved athletic areas, and new outdoor educational spaces. Many of these changes reflect Ann Arbor Public Schools’ broader commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Larger classrooms modernized common areas, and improved outdoor learning zones are also planned, according to the school board.

The new facility will also feature solar and geothermal energy systems to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices.


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Outdoor enhancements include playgrounds with ADA-compliant equipment, spaces for unstructured play, and opportunities for gardening and other environmental education activities.

Traffic management updates will include separate lanes for pedestrians, bicycles, buses, and cars.

The school is also expected to maintain its status as an International Baccalaureate (IB) program, thus continuing to promote intercultural understanding and community engagement.

The new learning spaces are designed to support a 21st-century learning environment, emphasizing flexible, student-centric areas that encourage collaboration and exploration.

Many community members state that a new building at Mitchell is needed due to current circumstances. Mitchell is currently using multiple buildings, including reportedly subpar modular classrooms.

“Mitchell is currently using three different buildings, and it is one of the most outdated and rundown schools in the Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS),” said a former Mitchell parent and neighbor, Jill Stucker. “The money for this project, which is already allocated and must be spent on capital improvements, will be well spent. Mitchell gets shortchanged on everything else; the least they could do for this community is build a halfway decent building.”

It was also reported that the old Mitchell building will be used as a staging site after the new school is built on the adjacent lot. This means the current building will serve as a temporary location for students from other schools undergoing renovations once its replacement is operational. The goal is to allow other construction projects to proceed while minimizing student disruption.

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