Grosse Pointe school board approves
layoffs, looks to greenhouse renovation

The Grosse Pointe Board of Education undertook an unpleasant, but traditional springtime duty at its Monday (April 23) meeting: Approving the layoffs of 13 teachers for the 2012-13 school year.

Some may be called back, depending on enrollment changes over the summer. The notices are contractually required for planning purposes.

Jon Dean, assistant superintendent for human resources, noted this year’s number was considerably lower than previous years, which always exceeded 30. read more...

Grosse Pointe school board approves
Head Start unanimously this time

After blocking a Head Start program for Poupard Elementary School last year, the Grosse Pointe Board of Education has voted unanimously to approve the program.

Each board member took time before the vote Monday night (March 26) to voice her or his support. Treasurer Brendan Walsh said that he was glad the board would be voting in favor of the program, after last year’s decision caused the district “national embarrassment.” read more...

Head Start gets a second chance as
Grosse Pointe school board reconsiders

The changes on the Grosse Pointe school board brought by last November's election became clearer Monday night (Feb. 27), as the group took another run at initiating a Head Start program at Poupard Elementary School. read more...

Grosse Pointe Board of Education
starts year with new alliances

A new superintendent, and a new board, took their seats Monday night (Jan. 23) at the Grosse Pointe Board of Education meeting. And if anyone doubts the landscape is a different one, following the retirement of Superintendent Suzanne Klein and the election of two new board members last November, the actions at Monday's meeting were a reminder. read more...

Falling aid may trigger pay cuts
for Grosse Pointe teachers by 2013

When members of the Grosse Pointe Education Association ended a long labor impasse with their approval of a new contract last year, one that linked their compensation to state aid to the district, all were aware that teachers could face pay cuts somewhere down the road.

Few expected it to be so soon. read more...

In run for Grosse Pointe school board, Roeske says he's a 'Boy Scout'

Dan Roeske, 49, says he hopes to bring a “Boy Scout demeanor” to the Grosse Pointe Board of Education. Roeske, left, who has lived in Grosse Pointe for just over 20 years and has three children in the public schools, enjoys racing sailboats, skiing with his family and giving back to the community through participation in Boy Scouts and PTOs.

What do you think is your most important qualification for the school board?

I think that the biggest thing I would bring to the board is a sense of working collaboratively. I’ve been a board observer, and I think that the board can work without being divisive. And I hope that the ability to be collaborative and work together in a cohesive manner – to make sure that we’re all kind of lining up our arrows pointing the right way – is what I’ll bring. read more...

Lois Valente touts corporate skills
as assets for school-board post

Grosse Pointe Board of Education candidate Lois Valente, left, hopes to use her background in strategic planning to better integrate technology into the school curriculum, focus on setting annual goals and increase communication among individual schools. A 24-year resident of Grosse Pointe with three teenagers in Grosse Pointe schools, Valente has been a frequent observer of school board meetings and involved with parent organizations. 

Why should voters elect you to the school board?

I’ve been active with the board for many years. I have three children in the district. One of my children has special needs, so I’ve been involved with the Partnership for Different Learners, which is a special-needs parent group that a lot of people don’t know exists. So I’ve been participating at that level for quite a while as well as at my children’s other schools. read more...

Karabetsos making a second run
at Grosse Pointe school board

GrossePointeToday.com starts a series of profiles of various candidates for contested offices in the November election. Today: Grosse Pointe Board of Education contender Diane Karabetsos, left. She answered questions via email.

This is your second try for a board seat. What's different this time?

Although I'm not running against an incumbent, my platform remains the same. I continue to advocate against open enrollment from outside the district and for residency checks. I want to bring back the board discussion meetings and dialogue with the community. All the candidates agree on fighting School of Choice. But no one else is talking about a plan of action if Senate Bill 624 is forced on he schools. We still have issues about local residency. (This year a report has not been generated.) read more...

Grosse Pointe school board members
not warm to retiree in HR seat

With Tom Harwood's ascension from human resources chief to superintendent of the Grosse Pointe public school system, Harwood wants to bring back a familiar face – Larry Lobert, who held the HR job in the district from 2002 to 2007, when he retired to take a similar position in suburban Chicago. Harwood asked the Board of Education at its Monday (Oct. 24) meeting to consider hiring Lobert as his replacement. read more...

Board candidates make their case
at League of Women Voters forum

The Grosse Pointe Board of Education has been one of the Pointes' most divided and contentious panels of late, but the League of Women Voters doesn't do division and contention, so Thursday's candidate forum at South High School was a polite, measured affair.

But differences among candidates Lois Valente, Dan Roeske and Diane Karabetsos asserted themselves anyway, and it became clear this slate fell on both sides of the divide -- at least on some issues. read more...