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    From: Ahmed Ismail [mailto:ahmed@portraitplacegpw.com]
    Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2015 11:39 AM
    To: 'David Peterson'; 'Lawrence Lobert'
    Cc: 'Daniel Roeske'; 'Lois Valente'; 'Margaret Weertz'; 'Brian Summerfield'; 'Pangborn, Cindy'; 'Gafa, Judy (GPPSS)'; Harwood, Thomas; Fenton, Christian
    Subject: School ExecConnect Superintendent Survey and Focus Group Responses

     

    Hello, Larry and Dave,

     

    Thank you so much for providing the information Mrs. Gafa references in her email below to all of us for review over the weekend.

     

    The un-redacted text comments I requested earlier in the week and you provided us yesterday offer a wealth of information on our community's feelings about where we are now and what they want to see from our future superintendent.

     

    I sincerely appreciate your efforts to provide this information prior to Monday's meeting as originally scheduled.

     

    Best wishes,

     

    Ahmed

     

    From: Judy Gafa [mailto:gafaj@gpschools.com]
    Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 3:55 PM
    To: David Peterson; Lawrence Lobert (larry@larrylobert.com); Fenton, Christian (GPPSS)
    Cc: Daniel Roeske; Lois Valente; Margaret Weertz; Brian Summerfield; Pangborn, Cindy; Ahmed Ismail
    Subject: Fwd: Cat Ruffner/Lisa Vreede Email to School Board on GPPSS Superintendent Search (Typos)

     

    Hi Dave and Larry,

    As agreed upon and as my role as board Liason to the search firm I have forward comments the board received via email in regards to the superintendent search.

    Judy Gafa



    ----------------------------------------------------

    The Hiring of Our Next GPPSS Superintendent

    2. Name:
    Cat Ruffner & Lisa Vreede

    3. Email Address:
    XXXXXXXXXXXX
    4. Phone:

    XXXXXXXXXXXX
    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 XXXXXXXXX
    XXXXXXX

    Lisa Vreede
    Past BOE Member
    Past GPFPE Board Member/Current Advisory Board Member Parent of Three GPPSS
    Alumni GPPSS Alumnus XXXXXXXXXXX

    XXXXXXXXXX