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    From: Ahmed Ismail [mailto:ahmed@portraitplacegpw.com]
    Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2015 4:07 PM
    To: 'Judy Gafa'
    Cc: Fenton, Christian; Roeske, Daniel (GPPSS); Summerfield, Brian (GPPSS); 'Valente, Lois (GPPSS)'; 'Margaret Weertz'; 'Pangborn, Cindy'
    Subject: Board President Email to Staff re: Fenton and Dean Serving as Acting Co-Superintendents

     

    Mrs. Gafa,

     

    This email is in follow-up to the email below (April 10, 2015 at 9:39:45 PM) which Mrs. Fannon sent under your signature advising what looks to be the entire staff of the school system that Mr. Fenton and Dr. Dean "…will both assume the role of acting superintendent…"  "…until our new Superintendent is named".

     

    I would appreciate two clarifications on this letter and specifically the above referenced statements.  The items are as follows:

    1.       ACTING SUPERINTENDENT SELECTION.  The only discussion I recall on who would serve as acting superintendent was a meeting at 389 after which I left with the distinct understanding that Mr. Fenton would serve as our acting superintendent.  In fact, as I recall, the only discussion on the issue was not that there was any question that Mr. Fenton should serve in this capacity, but the semantic issue of whether he would be "interim" or "acting" superintendent.  I have no recollection as to this being a joint position to be shared by Mr. Fenton and Dr. Dean.  Please advise the meeting date that this change was made.

    2.       EFFECTIVE DATE FOR TERMINATION OF ACTING SUPERINTENDENT SERVICES.  As I understand it, we are "naming" the new superintendent before we even have a contract with him/her (which is so anti-real world it will be the subject of a subsequent email).  I hope you will consider that this should really have read "…until our new Superintendent can assume his/her full time duties" or something similar and advise the staff and the community accordingly.  It is unlikely that the successful candidate would be willing to start work the day after he/she is "named" and prior to having at least an agreement of understanding with regard to their terms of employment.  Another potential scenario is that they may have prior family/other commitments that make it impossible for them to assume the position until some date after July 1.

     

    Based on my experience in the private sector, having co-presidents of a company (let alone one with a $100 budget under development and 700+ employees) is a recipe for disaster.  I regretfully predict if we do follow this direction it will be the same in this instance.  The buck has to stop at the top with one person if you want to avoid chaos during this already difficult time.

     

    Some questions to ponder:

    1.       Who will make what decision under this joint superintendency scenario?

    2.       If Dr. Dean is in a position to have to make a decision, is he to run to Mr. Fenton to see if her agrees and vice versa?

    3.       If they don't agree, whose opinion will prevail?

    4.       Whose direction will staffers take as the final word on decisions?

    5.       Will we be creating a situation where they get played against each other?

    6.       How will Mr. Fenton's vast institutional memory be weighed in relation to something Dr. Dean wants to do based on a similar situation he experienced in Birmingham or another district?

    7.       If we are in effect "splitting" the superintendency job duties, who will define the division of responsibility?

    8.       Who are we (and the entire community) to ultimately hold accountable for the decisions made in running our $100 million business?  The last thing we need at this time is a finger pointing contest.

     

    This email is in no way to challenge either Dr. Dean's or Mr. Fenton's core competencies.  It is simply to find out when the change from a singular acting superintendent to a plural acting superintendent was made, and, if it is a reality, caution you as to the potential problems in this arrangement.

     

    Thank you all for considering my thoughts on this issue.

     

    Best wishes,

     

    Ahmed

     

    From: Judy Gafa [mailto:gafaj@gpschools.com]
    Sent: Friday, April 10, 2015 9:46 PM
    To: Daniel Roeske; Brian Summerfield; Lois Valente; Margaret Weertz; Ahmed Ismail; Pangborn, Cindy
    Cc: Fenton, Christian (GPPSS); Dean, Jon
    Subject: Fwd: Superintendent update from Board President

     

    Today was Dr Harwoods last day in the district he is starting his vacation.  This press release was sent out this evening

    Respectfully

    Judy Gafa



    Sent from my iPhone


    Begin forwarded message:

    From: "Fannon, Rebecca" <Rebecca.Fannon@gpschools.org>
    Date: April 10, 2015 at 9:39:45 PM EDT
    To: All Employees <AllEmployees@gpschools.org>
    Subject: Superintendent update from Board President

    The Board of Education wishes Dr. Harwood well, and thanks him for his service to the district as he assumes his regional position as Deputy Superintendent of Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA).  Dr. Harwood has announced his last day in the district will be April 10th. At that time, our Deputy Superintendents Dr. Dean and Mr. Fenton will both assume the role of acting superintendent, with Mr. Fenton having signatory responsibilities until our new Superintendent is named.

    Please continue to watch progress on the superintendent search as updated online and at our televised board meetings. As you know, those meetings are also archived on our Livestream account, which is linked from the district website.

    Sincerely,
    Judy Gafa, President
    GPPSS Board of Education

    Sent from my iPhone