• From: Judy Gafa [mailto:gafaj@gpschools.com] 
    Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2016 11:25 AM
    To: Ismail, Ahmed (GPPSS)
    Cc: Ahmed Ismail (Studio); Brian Summerfield (GPPSS); Daniel Roeske (GPPSS); Lois Valente (GPPSS); Pangborn, Cindy (Home); Weertz, Margaret (GPPSS); Fenton, Christian; Niehaus, Gary; Dean, Jon
    Subject: Re: Mrs. Gafa's Response to Your Email re: Salary Reductions and Fund Equity

    Respect flows many ways, the level of disrespect shown for my dedication to the staff, the students and this community for 8 years has reached another new low.

    As Mr Summerfield and I both stated on Monday evening, this is an ongoing process

    As a community leader I believe in leading through mutual respect, not through fear, and threats and dismissing people

    I listen with respect to all community stake holders, I will continue to listen to the entire community.  

    I am more than willing to add an item to the agenda as information and discussion regarding invoking the formula. 

    Please let me know if this is your wish Mr Ismail as it appears you are inclined to further discussion, on this topic

    Respectfully

    Judy Gafa


    On Thursday, April 21, 2016, Ismail, Ahmed (GPPSS) <ismaila@gpschools.com> wrote:

    Below is an email which Mr. Walsh sent to me that was sent to my work email address.

    Inasmuch as it addresses school board issues, I thought it best to share it with you in case Dr. Niehaus hasn't already.

    This interchange reminds me of a quote my old boss, Carl Joyner, used to share with me attributed to General George S. Patton--"If everyone is thinking alike, then someone isn't thinking."

    Being able to share differing opinions with humility and respect and learning from each other and/or community members who have skill sets we may not have personally is what makes for a good board of governance in any organization.  

    Something we all have to keep in mind and be thankful for is the fact that a former Board President and Treasurer such as Mr. Walsh who was involved in the design of the 2010 staff contract is willing to invest the hours and hours of time to analyze data and share it with us.  His efforts (whether we agree with his assumptions or not) should be met with sincere appreciation even if the trajectory of the data as presented is what we want to see or not.  Having our accounting firm Plante Moran do the same would cost us thousands and thousands of dollars.

    Best wishes,

    Ahmed

    Ahmed Ismail, Trustee

    Grosse Pointe Public School System

    313-343-9060 (The Portrait Place, 10am – 5pm)

    313-969-1541 (Cell, 6pm – 11pm)

     

    Please forgive the fine print to follow.

    Our School Board Policy No. 167.5 requires that I advise you

    what I think you already know, which is:

     

    The above email and its attachments (if any) express the personal view(s) of the Sender.  If you would like the

    official position of the Board of Education and/or the administration of the Grosse Pointe Public School System

    on an issue, please submit your inquiry to schoolboard@gpschools.org.  Thank you.