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-----Original Message-----
From: Ahmed Ismail [mailto:ahmed@portraitplacegpw.com]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 11:02 AM
To: Vreede, Lisa; Ruffner, Cat
Cc: Roeske, Daniel (GPPSS); Summerfield, Brian (GPPSS); 'Valente, Lois (GPPSS)'; 'Gafa, Judy (GPPSS)'; 'Weertz, Margaret'; 'Pangborn, Cindy'; Fenton, Christian; Lobert, Larry; 'Peterson, David'
Subject: Cat Ruffner/Lisa Vreede Email to School Board on GPPSS Superintendent Search

Hello, Cat and Lisa,

I hope this email finds you and your families well.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the importance of the decision the school board will be making in the few months.  It is without question the most important decision the school board will make in the foreseeable future.

While (as you know) I can't speak for the rest of the school board members, I want you to know that your opinions and thoughts have been heard loud and clear and are shared by me personally in every regard.

Please give my best to Rick, Eric and the kids (oops--young adults).

Again, thank you,

Ahmed

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The Hiring of Our Next GPPSS Superintendent

5.. Name:

Cat Ruffner & Lisa Vreede

5. Comments or Concern:

Dear President Gafa and Members of the GPPSS Board of Education,

Regarding the hiring of our next GPPSS Superintendent, we respectfully offer these thoughts:

The Superintendent is arguably the most important leader in our district and our community. It is vitally important that the individual chosen/hired for this role have demonstrated years of highly successful Superintendent leadership experience in a district not necessarily comparable to GPPSS, but one to which we aspire. Please look beyond "typical" like-districts (East Grand Rapids, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Northville and so on) - look to the best districts and school systems in our country.

Our public school system is a primary asset which draws people to Grosse Pointe and we are currently experiencing a pivotal moment in our GPPSS history. It is an opportunity to affect our children, staff, parents and community today and for decades to come. We need a true leader with a proven track record. Likely this person will not come to us through the typical process. Those who are hugely successful are likely not out looking for a new job. Please be willing to take your time, pay substantially more in salary and expense, seek out those few incredibly talented current Superintendents, in the prime of their career and draw them here, to this position. More time may be needed to affect this hiring. Please be prepared to place an interim Superintendent (Dr. Mike Dib would be terrific) and continue the search in a time frame and manner to best serve our community and our children.

Our next GPPSS Superintendent must have demonstrated administrative, communication, interpersonal, leadership, motivational, strategic and thinking skills, as evidenced through demonstrable district improvement and success during their time as Superintendent. Our next Superintendent must be a leader who will work with and respect people to create clear direction and vision, build effective teams, focus on student, staff, parent and community needs and practice sound management. This person will inspire, empower and lead us toward our GPPSS mission and vision.

Imagine the possibilities once we identify and hire this right person, a true leader who will unite our schools and our community! Imagine the possibilities with a leader who respects our staff, students, parents, community and the history of our wonderful school system. Imagine the possibilities with a role model for all! Imagine and let's make it so!

Thank you considering these thoughts and for your service to our children, schools and community.

Respectfully,

Cat Ruffner

Past GPFPE Board Member/Current Advisory Board Member Parent of Two GPPSS Alumni and One Current GPPSS Student 

Lisa Vreede

Past BOE Member

Past GPFPE Board Member/Current Advisory Board Member Parent of Three GPPSS Alumni GPPSS Alumnus