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Board of Education Meeting Highlights

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024

• Trustee St. John requested an addition to meeting agenda: A motion to repeal the Engagement of Independent Legal Counsel resolution from 2/27/23, for two reasons:

  1. Board counsel is no longer board specific because counsel has taken

  over several district legal issues; and there is no longer a conflict of interest,

  which was the original reason for seeking independent legal counsel; and

  2. Legal communications are not shared with all trustees

  
  

• Motion to amend agenda fails 4-2

                Superintendent’s Report:

• Introduction of liaison officers from GP South and GP North who “act as a liaison between the police department, the school district, and the community”:

  
  

  • Officer Jeff Martell: officer for more than 27 years and is currently assigned to Detective Bureau Division as school resource officer (SRO) for GP North and the other five schools in Grosse Pointe Woods

    
    

  • Officer Jim LaBeau: SRO at GP South with 12 years of law enforcement experience, the last 10 years in the Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety unit. He states that “being the full time SRO is a dream come true”

  
  

• First days of school: Administrators visited each school to see students, teachers, and staff and were happy to see a level of calm and joy throughout the buildings.

  
  

• GPPSS sinking fund millage educational materials available here:

• Enrollment update:   Discussion @38:06 in meeting video

  • Spring 2024 student enrollment total: 6480 (audited headcount)

  • Fall 2024 student enrollment total:   6493 (provisional headcount pre-audit)

• Dr. Tuttle reviewed teacher separation data to address “questions” and “rhetoric” about losing teachers in Grosse Pointe. She acknowledged tough years in education with people leaving for various reasons, but reports that GPPSS is trending in the right direction.

Trombly status & motion: discussion @48:34 in meeting video

• Dr. Tuttle is not making a recommendation for the re-opening of Trombly. Rather, the objective is to gather information about the facility’s needs and repair estimates. A Request for Proposal (RFP) may be needed to outline the necessary updates and improvements. She asked for authorization to proceed with the RFP process, if necessary.

• Dr. Tuttle emphasized that no promises are being made. “So, the public’s expectation should be that at some point, I should be able to give a financial figure of what it would cost to make Trombly like all other elementary buildings.”

  
  

• Motion passes 7-0 to authorize data collection

Central Administrator Departure: Keith Howell, executive director of K-12 Teaching & Learning has been offered the Superintendent position for L’Anse Creuse School District. Drs. Bishop and Stanley spoke highly of Mr. Howell’s 19-year service to GPPSS as an educator, person, and colleague.

• Katy Neumann will replace Howell on a consulting basis for the school year. Neumann was noted to have extensive  experience as a former educator, administrator, and grant-writing specialist. During this time, Dr. Tuttle will assess whether the position should be bifurcated into two roles as previously structured.

Poupard Update: The district continues to work with attorneys and Robertson Homes with an expected closing date in December on sale of Poupard.

Meet Alliance Endorsed School Board Candidates

WATCH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FORUM HERE

also have a brand-new Superintendent, Finance Director, Human Resources Director, Special Services Director, and Communications Director. This is all in addition to increased teacher and administrator turnover at the building level, including 100% turnover at Grosse Pointe North High School. We have to bring a sense of calm control back to district operations.

What motivates you to run for school board?

I am motivated by a sense of gratitude for the opportunities our three children receive from this public school district. In addition to a top-notch education, our kids are able to participate in world-class music and theater instruction, state championship-level athletic programs, and cutting-edge innovation and robotics teams.  

community members, if we are willing to listen and work together.

What personal and professional experiences will you bring to the role?

My first professional experience after college was in my old high school, working on academic support and dropout prevention. I also coached football, wrestling, and baseball for eleven years.  

I shifted into auto manufacturing in 2013 where I had management roles in operations, facilities engineering, project management, procurement, and capital investment. I am particularly interested in supporting the project management activity that goes along with our sinking fund expenditures.

What else would you like the community to know about you?

This campaign season has been another illuminating experience. I hear concern from young parents about elementary classroom sizes. I can feel the pain associated with reconfiguration and neighborhoods full of people who feel abandoned. I can see the frustration boiling over at meetings of the clearly divided school board. But, there is a common thread that could help unite the large majority of our district, and enable all of us to pull in the same direction. An overwhelming percentage of our community believes in the importance of strong public schools, and the role our school district plays in keeping our communities healthy and attractive for generations. Regardless of other political or social divisions, we can work together to solve the actual problems facing our public schools. We can, and will, succeed together by: Prioritizing Students, Supporting Teachers, Spending Responsibly, & Ensuring Transparency.

inviting all stakeholders to have a seat and a voice at the table where decisions are being made. Concrete, measurable goals must be put in place to achieve financial stability.

What motivates you to run for school board?

Now, more than ever, I believe it is important for teachers to be involved in the decision making process in public education. Teachers bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, insight, and creativity to the table. My goal is to provide a forum that invites community involvement. We must learn from the mistakes of the past and move forward together for the benefit of all students, families, and community members.

What else would you like the community to know about you?

My husband Adam and I have two daughters, one in 7th grade and one in 5th grade at Pierce Middle School. Most weeknights and weekends we can be found around the softball diamond, the ice rink, the band and choir concerts, and court-side as we cheer them on. We are fortunate to live in a community and district that has so many opportunities for our kids to find their passions, gain confidence, and connect with peers. As a family, we enjoy traveling, playing games, spending time with friends and family, and working on our historic home.

My heart believes in this community and I would be honored to serve our schools.

time, our model should place an equitable emphasis on students who have special needs or require academic assistance.

What motivates you to run for school board?

I believe strongly in public education as critically important to American society. Grosse Pointe public schools have a history of excellence and I want to contribute to that legacy. In addition, I believe that our current political climate is unhealthy and driven by extremes. Thoughtful, moderate people need to engage directly in the process, and I aim to serve the Grosse Pointe school district in that way. Finally, I believe the Board needs to improve building consensus on key issues and communicating with the Grosse Pointe community.

What personal and professional experiences will you bring to the role?

I began my career as a CPA with Deloitte and I'm currently a Partner in IBM's consulting unit.  During my 34 years of professional experience I've encountered myriad business problems, most without clear pathways for resolution. I've learned how to frame issues so they're understandable and then how to work with others to build approaches for successful resolution.  

What else would you like the community to know about you?

every single student. In that realm, GPPSS should provide more career and tech opportunities.  We need to provide real mental health support and counseling for our students.

2. Our vision must include fiscal responsibility: GPPSS should maintain a healthy fund balance with at least 10% and closer to 15% fund equity. Fiscal responsibility starts with a healthy savings account.  Our vision must also include budget transparency and making cuts furthest away from the classroom with stricter scrutiny to spending to prevent overages and unnecessary spending such as separate Board attorneys and 3 superintendents in one fiscal year.

3. GPPSS needs a strategic review of central administration, focusing on the curriculum position, after the secondary curriculum position was eliminated. GPPSS should revisit the roles and positions in Central Administration after multiple positions were cut and positions were not filled, including the role of Deputy Superintendent of Business Operations. GPPSS should also perform a strategic review of the buildings, with a focus on keeping buildings open and keeping the district walkable. We need to update buildings and address the 252 million dollars in critical needs.

4. Address enrollment. We need to come up with creative and innovative ways to increase the capture rate. Although we have a declining birth rate, GPPSS should take a strategic examination at why we lost students to private schools and online schools, and address why GPPSS students who are living in Harper Woods are attending Harper Woods Public Schools instead of GPPSS. We can boost enrollment by building better relationships and communication with families, creating a stable central administration, and retaining teachers. GPPSS receives 11K per student, so our vision must include increasing our capture rate.

5. We need to address teacher retention and make our district more attractive and competitive so that our teachers want to stay in the GPPSS.  

What motivates you to run for school board?

I am passionate about public education and believe that our GPPSS public schools are what makes our community so amazing and special. I am also passionate about making sure that every student has access to the academic excellence and programs our district offers. I have been a voice of reason and transparency on the Board, and I want to continue my work in advocating for our students and teachers.

As an Assistant Prosecutor and Deputy Chief of the Special Victims in the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, I fight hard for kids every day and to protect our most vulnerable kids. I am not afraid to make tough decisions. I also worked for a municipal law firm for 16 years and I gained expertise in municipal finance and budgets.

As the Vice President and Treasurer on the school board in 2021 and 2022, I was a leader in promoting civility and consensus on the board during a challenging time.

What else would you like the community to know about you?

It is an honor to serve on the School Board for another term, and I take my role very seriously. I am proud to be endorsed by the Grosse Pointe Teachers and Staff and the Police Officers Association of Michigan.

All candidates endorsed by Grosse Pointe Educators Association (GPEA) as well &

Designated Gun Safe Candidates by Moms Demand Action

Colleen Worden also endorsed by Police Officers Association of Michigan

*Alliance for GP Public Schools is not affiliated, associated, authorized or endorsed by Grosse Pointe Public School System.

Beacon Pointe of View

My View

by Maria Williams

Beyond Thoughts and Prayers

Firearm-related injury is the leading cause of death among children and teens. The recent school shooting in Winder, Georgia is yet another shameful reminder that we must do more to protect our children from gun violence and address their mental health needs.

An August 6, 2024 report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) highlights “concerning increases in the percentage of teens reporting experiences of school-based violence and absenteeism due to safety concerns.” While schools focus on academic learning, the CDC notes that “they also play a critical role in shaping mental, physical, and social growth” and provide “a considerable opportunity to foster the knowledge, skills, and support needed to help prevent and reduce the negative impact of violence and other trauma and improve mental health.”

and enforced gun safety laws, and mental health support for students are critical first steps.

Children need to know that their survival and well-being are top priorities. They need adults to transcend ideological differences and commit to working together in pursuit of this common goal.

While thoughts and prayers are welcome and appreciated in the wake of a mass shooting, they most certainly are not enough. We need action to create change.

Also on November 5th Ballot: Wayne County Enhancement Millage Renewal.

The renewal is not a tax increase and will continue to cost the average Wayne County homeowner with a home value of $100,000 approximately $8 per month, with 100% of funds going to Wayne County local education agencies and public school academies so they can keep students safe, and improve programs and services across our schools for all of our students.

Celebrating our Diverse Communities

Learn more here: https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/.

For our young learners, checkout a list of Scholastic recommended books here.

The Beacon team welcomes your thoughts and letters. All letters may be edited for content and length.

We reserve the right to refuse any letter.

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• Include your name, city of residence, and phone number

• Email to newsletter@alliancegpps.org

Alliance Mission Statement

We seek to partner with the Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods communities in the collective effort to create a safe and inclusive learning environment where students can achieve academic success, maximize potential, and become engaged citizens in a vibrant democracy.

Alliance for GP Public Schools is not affiliated, associated, authorized or endorsed by Grosse Pointe Public School System.

    Alliance for GP Public Schools Board of Directors