• Losing the entire administration team at North High School following controversial investigative findings that allegedly created a hostile work environment for the school’s leaders. Principal Kate Murray and Assistant Principal Michelle Davis said, “constant attacks by the board majority continued and made their jobs untenable,” as reported in The Detroit News, June 7, 2024.

• Paying $33,511.50 in legal fees for an investigation into complaints against Trustee Ismail. An independent investigator found that Trustee Ismail planned or had a desire to “push out” staff at Grosse Pointe North High School, then engaged in “retaliatory behavior” when his plan came to light and the complaints were filed. The board majority voted against releasing a full report of the investigation after a closed session meeting on February 6, 2024.

• Failing to provide alternative services to address the mental health needs of students a year after passing the resolution to “postpone” a health clinic at Grosse Pointe North High School.

• Creating a vacuum of administrative and institutional knowledge and leadership after the exodus of many experienced educators and administrators, including the district Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Director of Secondary Instruction, Director of Special Education, Director of Communications, and Director of Human Resources.

• Adding significant costs to the budget, despite calls for fiscal responsibility. Examples include paying an interim superintendent, as well as the remaining contract of our previous superintendent, and posting a record-setting salary for the next superintendent, along with plans to spend taxpayer dollars on a branding initiative.

• Failing to solicit input from community members and stakeholders when appointing an interim superintendent, who played a critical role in the district until a permanent replacement was hired.

• Voting against public comment after announcing the early retirement of GPPSS Superintendent Dr. Jon Dean. The board majority’s affirmative vote on Dr. Dean’s departure as superintendent came two weeks before the start of a new school year and followed “months of fighting between a deeply divided school board and administrators over details of the district’s budget and other priorities.” (The Detroit News, August 23, 2023)

• Initiating a compilation of cuts for the 2023-2024 budget that includes excessive reductions, while creating additional costs for branding and marketing.

• Making several policy changes that limit public comment at school board meetings, require the superintendent to seek board approval of all Administrative Guidelines, increase the power of the president to approve committee members, and more.

• Failing to clearly define the decision-making process for selecting committee members, and overlooking community talent in favor of known associates and supporters. Importantly, these new committees do not represent community demographics.

• Reversing the previous board’s vote for a school-based health clinic at a time when there is a growing and unmet need for mental health services for children and youth. This decision was made after the district’s lawyers already had given “clear authority” to use sinking funds for a one-time cost to construct the clinic. As a result, the GPPSS lost a grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that was awarded in May 2022 and would have covered remaining costs for the clinic, estimated at $350,000 to $400,000 annually.

• Hiring a law firm to represent the board exclusively. This is extremely unusual for school boards. The Grosse Pointe Public School System already was represented by other law firms. So why spend taxpayer dollars for dueling attorneys?

• Transparency and accountability are hallmarks of good governance. The school board is expected to follow the Open Meetings Act and to avoid conferring in private.

• Through certain policy changes, the board majority is following the letter of the law but violating the spirit of the law in an apparent effort to gain power, weaken administration, and stifle dissent. When leaders use the law to curb dissent, our democracy suffers.

• The instability in our district has attracted negative media attention that highlights community divisions. One editorial reminded us that a school board’s “chief responsibility is to educate children” and that this governing body works best “when there is a collaborative approach—among board trustees themselves and with staff.” (The Detroit News, February 18, 2023)

• It’s also important to remember that the November 2022 election saw almost 55% of constituents cast ballots for candidates who likely would have voted with the board minority on key issues. But their votes were split among six people, which created a favorable election outcome for the current school board majority, with one member winning the election by only four votes.

• Watch or attend a school board meeting. Please visit www.gpschools.org for information on the role of the school board, as well as meeting dates, locations, and agendas.

• Make a public comment at school board meetings. Attendees may comment on agenda items (GPPSS Policy 1.40.9) by completing a comment form, available online and at the meeting site entrance.

• Write a letter to the school board to express your views and opinions at schoolboard@gpschools.org.

• VOTE! The next school board election will take place in November 2024. You are encouraged to stay informed, be engaged, and submit your ballot—every vote really does count.