• From: Ismail, Ahmed (GPPSS)
    Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2016 10:47:58 AM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
    To: Profeta, Christopher
    Cc: School Board; Niehaus, Gary
    Subject: Profeta Email re: Straying from Implementing the Strategic Plan

    Hello, Mr. Profeta,
    This email is in follow up to your recent email expressing your concern that other issues are taking the board's attention away from implementing the Strategic Plan. 
    The Strategic Plan (in my mind) encompasses everything we do in one way or another.  The issue of closed campuses at lunch and allowing non resident staff children to attend GPPSS tuition-free directly relate to the issue of gaining community support, a goal Dr. Niehaus has been working towards tirelessly with the Town Hall meetings.
    My personal opinion is that if the residents don't feel we share their priorities for their schools, then we will not have their support when it comes time to ask for support of a bond or sinking fund to finance the portions of the Strategic Plan that we can't afford to fund through our normal sources of income.
    I view part of my role as a board member as someone who takes every resident's concerns as a priority, absorb what I can from them on their concern and get them to someone in the system who can alleviate their concerns.  That way, issues that can turn into big issues are dealt with with the least amount of disruption to our goal of giving the best possible education to our children within the budget the residents have generously afforded us.
    While the issues you mentioned seem to be overshadowing the fulfillment of the Strategic Plan, I am of the firm belief that Dr. Niehaus and his staff are keeping the goals set forth in the Strategic Plan at the forefront of everything we do in the system.
    Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with all of us.  You are a respected member of the community and someone whose thoughts and opinions have a wide-reaching impact on our residents.  The more we can hear from you, the better all of can do as board members in serving the community.
    While we have met is passing, if you ever have the time to share a breakfast or lunch, please let me know as I would very much like to do so.
    Best wishes,
    Ahmed Ismail
    Ahmed Ismail, Trustee
    Grosse Pointe Public School System
    Phone: 313-343-9060 (The Portrait Place - 10am-5pm)
    Notice to Recipient:  The views expressed in this transmittal and its attachments (if any) are those of its author individually and are not necessarily shared by the other members of the Grosse Pointe Public School System's Board of Trustees and/or its administration.  If you would like the official school board position on an issue or would like to communicate to all of the members of the school board at once, please send your email to schoolboard@gpschools.org.  Thank you. 

    From: Christopher Profeta
    Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2016 2:47:40 PM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
    To: School Board
    Subject: Town Halls

    Dear School Board Members,

    Figuring out how to implement the strategic plan is the most pressing issue before the district right now, in my opinion.  I am glad that Dr. Niehaus is taking the time to continue to meet with community members to get their input.  Whether we do this right or not will have a far greater educational impact on our kids than if we close campus at the high schools or allow the children of employees to enroll.  These two controversial issues have shifted focus away from the important work of developing a means for putting the plan the community developed into action.  Community members came together to tell the district what was important to them when they developed the strategic plan, and it is a good and comprehensive plan for the future of the Grosse Pointe Public School System.  I am writing to ask you to stay focused on that vision.  To the extent that these other two issues have dominated the conversations residents are having and have become a distraction, perhaps it would be appropriate to revisit them at another time.

    Thank you for your time,

    Chris Profeta

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