• From: Brian Summerfield <summerb@gpschools.org>
    Date: Fri, Apr 13, 2018 at 10:49 AM
    Subject: Re: Research Report - Detrimental Effect of Having Smartphones in the Classroom - Responses to Sender
    To: Ahmed Ismail <ismaila@gpschools.org>
    Cc: Christopher Profeta <profetc@gpschools.org>, "School Board (GPPSS)" <schoolboard@gpschools.org>, "Gary C. Niehaus (GPPSS)" <gary.niehaus@gpschools.org>, "Jon Dean (GPPSS)" <jon.dean@gpschools.org>


    I caution against Board members sending any emails to the Board whether informational or otherwise related to any matter that is currently being considered by the Board or that may become an action item. The email could be viewed as a continuation of Board deliberations outside of an open meeting, and it invites comments from other Board members. If a Board member has relevant information that should be considered by the entire Board, I suggest the information be provided to Dr. Niehaus. He can provide it to the Board for consideration at the next regular meeting.
     
    As a reminder, Board Bylaw 0167.5 states: "Although E-mail is a convenient and effective form of communication, if misused it could result in a violation of the Open Meetings Act. Email may therefore be used by Board members only for communications regarding business of the Board or District between a Board member and a District employee(s), or communications regarding business of the Board or District between or among Board members which do not involve deliberating or rendering a decision on matters pending before the Board. Under the Open Meetings Act, "deliberation" is the act of carefully considering issues and options before making a decision or taking some action, by analyzing, discussing and weighing the evidence."
     
    Thanks
     
    Brian

    On Fri, Apr 13, 2018 at 7:02 AM, Ahmed Ismail <ismaila@gpschools.org> wrote:
    Chris et al,
     
    The study in question was forwarded to you as an informational item.  
     
    I caution anyone responding to an email sent to board members by another board member NOT to respond and copy more than three board members.  In the event that the return "round robin" email was in any way be construed the start of a deliberation on an issue, it could be taken as a violation of the Open Meetings Act.
     
    If anyone has a response to any information I send out in the future, please do so on a one-to-one basis without involving other board members so that a potential "round robin" violation of the Open Meetings Act is avoided.
     
    Thank you.
     
    Ahmed

    Ahmed Ismail, Trustee
    Grosse Pointe Public School System
    313-343-9060 (work phone - 8am - 5pm)
    313-969-1541 (cell phone - 6pm - 10pm)
    ahmed.ismail@comcast.net (personal email address)
     
    Note:  The opinions expressed in this email are those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the balance of the Board of Trustees and/or the administration of the Grosse Pointe Public School System. Emails sent to or from this email address are accessible by the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

    On Tue, Apr 10, 2018 at 12:00 PM, Christopher Profeta <profetc@gpschools.org> wrote:
    Ahmed,
     
    What I heard Mr. Stanley say last night was that smart phones would not be included in our BYOD program. So I'm not sure this applies to what we are working on locally.
     
    There is credible research on both sides of this debate, as there is with most issues. Personally, I tend to be skeptical of results with titles like this that are simply meant to drive up web traffic. Which is a bit ironic. ;)
     
    Chris

    On Tue, Apr 10, 2018 at 11:34 AM Ahmed Ismail <ismaila@gpschools.org> wrote:
    Hello all,
     
    I thought you would want to read this article:
     
     
    The actual research results are available at:
     
     
    Best wishes,
     
    Ahmed
     
     
    Ahmed Ismail, Trustee
    Grosse Pointe Public School System
    313-343-9060 (work phone - 8am - 5pm)
    313-969-1541 (cell phone - 6pm - 10pm)
    ahmed.ismail@comcast.net (personal email address)
     
    Note:  The opinions expressed in this email are those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the balance of the Board of Trustees and/or the administration of the Grosse Pointe Public School System. Emails sent to or from this email address are accessible by the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
    -- 
    Chris Profeta