From: Lisa Papas <papasl@gpschools.org>
Date: Mon, Oct 10, 2022 at 6:38 PM
Subject: Re: Social media & Trustees
To: M Krasner <mtkrasner@gmail.com>
Cc: Schoolboard Email <schoolboard@gpschools.org>

Lisa Papas
Nadya Thole feel free ! I am really tired of keeping quiet while a small number of people make personal attacks against good people. I have never had a problem debating issues and differences of opinion. I disagree often on board votes but like and respect my board colleagues and enjoy their company. I believe one of our greatest achievements as a Board was to set the tone for civil discourse during one of the most difficult times in history to be a school board member. It is completely possible to hold radically different opinions and still be friends . Again these are my individual thoughts and not the opinion of the Board.

You forgot one Ms. Krasner.

Lisa Papas
On Mon, Oct 10, 2022 at 12:26 AM M Krasner <mtkrasner@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello,
I am looking forward to the meeting later today. I also wanted to raise an issue of concern that doesn’t have to do with the agenda but has been on my mind.

As I’m sure you’re all well aware, social media is extremely busy these days with local information  and misinformation.

I was really troubled by the attached lengthy comment on the Common Sense for GP schools  Facebook page by a GPPSS Trustees.

 A few things strike me —

1) The insistence on maligning a local resident who I have watched make comments at Board meetings, read about in the Grosse Pointe News, and is a teacher in a neighboring District. These comments are unprofessional, not civil, and are disrespectful from a board member on a public page. You are frequently  demanding better for yourselves, I’d ask for better for the community.

2) a degrading of our District — saying teachers don’t want to come here to teach and claiming people here are blaming teachers for learning loss. These are reckless things for a sitting Board member to say. We have excellent teachers, including new ones (some of who I’ve seen profiled in school newsletters) and NO ONE I’ve heard is blaming teachers for learning loss but instead blaming the ravages of the global pandemic.( unless Mrs. Papas is talking about her own District, which isn’t clear at all from the comment where despite the disclaimer at the end she has repeatedly identified herself as a GPPSS Board member.)

3) The degrading of the strategic plan and the process that led to it ( and every person serving on that committee through that misrepresentation).

4) continuing to give a ‘dissenting opinion’ publicly on votes this Board has already had on both approval of the strategic plan and the food services contract. (As a side note  I’m also concerned about the fact  Taher food service is still on Ms. Papas’ radar and how she came to know Cranbrook schools is currently considering the company as she referenced in her comment. This all comes months after her repeated strident insistence that they be chosen even without the committee recommendation after their analysis and application of the rubric.)  Even with a nay vote it is the responsibility of trustees to support the majority vote.

I do not require a response, but I do hope moving forward that all trustees will hold themselves to the highest standards of civility, integrity, and  positive advocacy for the District and all the residents, teachers and students. I hope we’ll see better going forward.

Finally, I hope all can keep in mind that you have an important role on such a consequential Board with so much value to our community and the teachers and students

I thank you for your service — I’m sure it isn’t easy. But it is truly important.

Best,
Maureen Krasner

Sent from my iPhone