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October 6, 2025: Regular Meeting
Superintendent’s Report
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| | Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) representative, Debbie Stair, discussed the strategic planning process and facilitation proposal. MASB provides a neutral third-party service, which helps elicit honest feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. The facilitation cost is $10,888. MASB facilitates 18-20 strategic plans per year for school districts.
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MASB presentation slides. |
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| Sean Wahl from PFM discussed the four underwriting bids received for the proposed school bond. The analysis compared fees, location, underwriting experience, and investor feedback. PFM and Dr. Tuttle recommended Raymond James based on competitive pricing, presence in the district, and involvement in past bond. Another firm, JP Morgan, may be added as co-manager given its historical perspective. Watch presentation and board discussion here.
Director of Technology, Garrett Kelley, submitted a proposal for the purchase of Dell computers and Chromebooks to replace aging equipment. The $497,154 purchase will be paid with 2018 Bond proceeds.
Dr. Tuttle discussed the proposed Protocols for Security Camera Live Access for Law Enforcement. The Village Market robbery [in February 2024], shortly after her arrival, expedited her meeting with law enforcement. At that time, local police chiefs inquired about access to school cameras. The proposal would allow law enforcement to access school cameras for limited and specific health and safety emergencies. Law enforcement will have 24/7 access and will not call the district first to access the cameras. Mr. Kelley explained that law enforcement access would be gained through a cloud-based system that can track each time the system is accessed. A log will be shared with the district. Per Trustee St. John's request, the board will also receive the information. The software will cost the district less than $5,000. Tuttle noted there was a recent meeting with law enforcement, security officials, and Trustees Worden, Klepp, and Cotton to discuss safety and security.
Michigan’s school aid budget passed on October 3rd, with a few notable points highlighted by Dr. Tuttle: GPPSS per pupil allowance increased from $11,303 to $11,745. The district budget had assumed a $392 increase but the actual increase was $442, which means a $50 increase per student in the estimated budget. The $600K MPSERS cost offset has been eliminated. State Senator Hertel secured $450K in funding for GPPSS technology infrastructure for technology upgrades.
GPPSS proposed school bond presentations continue around the district with administrators and trustees attending various school and community meetings.
Dr. Tuttle addressed the Parcells pool concerns. The pool will not be reopened because of structural damage, maintenance cost, and the plan for other middle school pools to close over time. The pool area will be used as a STEM space to be developed with community input.
Trustee Worden commended the bond committee for their “deep thought” into the STEM hub that the Parcells pool will be replaced with. She noted that it’s been closed for four years and the committee wanted to put something special in its place. She also thanked Ian Studders for bringing the Elworthy tennis courts to the committee’s attention and explaining thoroughly, with community members who supported the issue, the importance and need for those repairs.
Agenda Action Items
The following items were approved unanimously: September 22, 2025 meeting minutes; Approval to retain MASB facilitator to assist with Strategic Plan; Approval of Facilities committee recommendation for a negotiated sale not to exceed $25 million in first bond series issuance in December 2025; and Approval of Bond Underwriter Raymond James.
October 20, 2025: Regular Meeting
Deputy Superintendent’s Report
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The Green Team from Mason Elementary School shared their efforts to help protect their school and environment as 3rd and 4th grade student leaders. Their initiatives focus on recycling, reducing waste, keeping “lights off” to save energy, creating new crayons from broken ones, and beautifying the school garden with native plants. Way to go Mason Moose!
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Tom Colis, bond counsel from Miller Canfield, presented an overview of the Bond Resolution for approval to issue the first series of bonds, if the bond passes on November 4th. The resolution provides for: Full bond amount of $120 million with $25 million for first series. Establishment of capital project fund. Negotiated sale by underwriter Raymond James with plan to issue and sell by end of November. Establishment of debt retirement fund. Questions & discussion here.
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Slide from Dr. Bishop’s presentation. |
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| Agenda Action Items
The following items were approved unanimously: Approval of October 6th meeting minutes; Approval to collaborate with Fraser High School with North/South United Gymnastics; Approval of Technology Purchase; Authorization of Bond Resolution; Approval of HR Report; and Approval of Reinstatement Committee’s Recommendation. President Worden moved to discuss and table the Resolution - Protocols for Security Camera Live Access for Local Law Enforcement in a Health or Safety Emergency and a proposed Revised Resolution that she drafted. Revised resolution provides guardrails for the Memorandum of Understanding, which will be Exhibit A once completed by legal counsel. The revised resolution includes more specific language about students’ privacy rights under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Trustee Derringer requested a comparison of current established safety protocols and the changes in the resolution. Trustee St. John asked about how the resolution came about. Dr.Bishop stated that live-stream access was raised by law enforcement when Dr. Tuttle first came to the district and then raised again at the most recent meeting with them. President Worden will collaborate with Trustee Cotton to review both resolutions, who has indicated that he agrees with revisions. The original and revised resolutions will be discussed and voted on during the November 10th meeting.
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September 29, 2025: Facilities Committee Agenda and meeting recording With consultant facilitation, the committee discussed the implementation and financing of a $120 million bond that is up for a vote. Bond counsel and financial advisor explained the complexities of issuing the bonds in multiple series, the goal of maintaining a flat millage rate of 3.14 for taxpayers, and the financial considerations of timing the bond sales (such as November versus May). Discussion on the trade-offs between maximizing project funds and minimizing interest costs by exploring different issuance amounts. The committee recommendation for full board approval is a negotiated sale of $25 million in the first series to best balance financial efficiency with the district's construction timeline.
October 13, 2025: Policy Committee Agenda and meeting recording The policy committee discussed the addition of “designee” in Policy 8.09 to permit the Superintendent's designee to approve posting of advertisements on school grounds and facilities. Initial Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy conversation. Dr. Bishop has started talking to teachers about AI and there are mixed reviews. He also sought guidance from Wayne RESA on developing a policy, which will have to take into account privacy and ethical questions, process, and procedures. To develop a policy, more discussion is required with staff and students. Jeremy Motz, attorney from Clarke Hill, reviewed Michigan legislative updates: Student safety: As of October 1st, school districts are required to provide firearm safe storage notice to parents, which GPPSS has done. Starting with 2025-26 year, school districts have to adopt cardiac emergency response plans with accessible AED devices in key areas. Dr. Bishop noted that all schools have a compliant plan throughout buildings and a designated team.
Trustee Jeup distributed notes about the board policy on committees that will be discussed at the next policy meeting.
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| Michigan’s Education Budget: What it Means for Students & Schools |
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By State Rep. Veronica Paiz, Guest Writer
State Rep. Veronica Paiz is serving her second term representing the 10th House District, which includes northeast Detroit, Harper Woods, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Shores and Grosse Pointe Woods. |
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On October 7, 2025, Governor Whitmer – after a 4:00 a.m. October 3rd House vote – signed the 2025 state budget into law. The legislature missed the statutory budget deadline of July 1 (best for school budgeting) and the Michigan constitutional mandate of an October 1 fiscal year deadline – sending school districts into precipitous territory. However, through a dysfunctional budget process fraught with punitive actions (booting the Democratic Appropriations vice chair off the committee because of his vote on an unrelated bill) and the Speaker’s last-minute threats to tank the entire state budget, the bipartisan legislature compromised for a $24+ billion K-12 budget which is a $519 million increase over last year. |
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Student investments include free pre-K for eligible four-year olds, record per pupil funding of $10,050 (though count day funding was deleted), universal free school meals, and over $320 million for safety (including school resource officers) and mental health programs, before and after school programming, and over $190 million for a fully funded special education foundation allowance. There is a 25% increase in support services for at-risk students which can also be used to address smaller class sizes. Robotics funding increased by almost $277,000 dollars for a total of $5.6 million.
For House District 10, highlights include a funding increase of $2,555,639 for GPPSS and $2,843,498 for Harper Woods School District, and $450,000 for technology upgrades in Grosse Pointe Schools secured by Senator Hertel.
Thankfully, there is continued support for student teacher stipends, fellowships, and recruitment ($350 million in one-time grants to increase educator compensation). School infrastructure funding was allocated $200 million.
Together, this K-12 budget aims to strengthen Michigan’s public education system, support educators, and address long-standing equity and access issues.
However, there are disappointing compromises. Concerns remain about re-allocating fund dollars to higher education, and, I believe, a harmful lack of support for school employee retirements. This budget bill includes new curriculum requirements, which offer some transparency but I need to further review.
Sadly, I believe chances are slim for a supplemental budget to address these and similar concerns; the ‘25-’26 budget as a whole presents significant “shuffling” of funds geared in some way to the local roads funding budget. The state will be trying to budget next year with an expected deficit.
I agree with a colleague who said budgets are more than financial – they are moral, they reveal what and whom we value. In the end, this budget feels like a step forward, but also a reminder that we have to keep showing up. Parents, educators, and community members made this budget better through advocacy. On a final note, I cannot do this work alone. I continue to rely on your ideas, your stories, and your participation. Please reach out anytime to my office or at my coffee hours, or even in person. As someone who deeply believes in the power of public education, this work is personal and I’ll continue doing everything I can to ensure every Harper Woods, Grosse Pointe, and Detroit student has the opportunity to succeed.
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State of Michigan Voting Information:
Local Voting & Election Information: |
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October is National Principals Month! Thank you to all our principals who lead with dedication and inspire our students every day! |
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On October 14th, 2024, Governor Whitmer proclaimed the second Monday in October as Indigenous People's Day. It is a day that celebrates Native Americans and honors their beautiful traditions and cultures.
The North American Indian Association of Detroit (NAIA) and partner organizations brought a historic homecoming and powerful celebration of culture, memory, and community to Hart Plaza in Downtown Detroit with the first Pow Wow in Detroit in 30 years. Learn more about it and see some of the highlights here. |
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| | Upcoming Board of Education Meetings
Click here for calendar
Regular board meetings will be held on Mondays at 7:00 pm unless otherwise noted. BoE committee meetings will also be on Monday evenings; times vary. |
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| | | The Beacon team welcomes your thoughts and letters. All letters may be edited for content and length. We reserve the right to refuse any letter. Limit to 200 words Include your name, city of residence, and phone number Email to newsletter@alliancegpps.org
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| | Alliance Mission Statement
We seek to partner with the Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods communities in the collective effort to create a safe and inclusive learning environment where students can achieve academic success, maximize potential, and become engaged citizens in a vibrant democracy.
Alliance for GP Public Schools is not affiliated, associated, authorized or endorsed by Grosse Pointe Public School System. |
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| | Alliance for GP Public Schools Board of Directors |
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Policy Director LaKeytria W. Felder |
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| Communications Director Rosy Stefanatos-Knapp |
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