GPPSS Update
January 24, 2023
This past weekend at the Michigan Music Conference held at the Devos Center in Grand Rapids, five students from the GPPSS were represented in the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association (MSBOA) All-State Band & Orchestra Ensembles. Evren Celebi (Trumpet, Pierce Middle School) and Caleb Thomason-Redus (Tenor Saxophone, Pierce Middle School) were chosen for the MSBOA All-State Middle School Band. Ben Graham (Viola, North High School), Daniel Gross (Cello, South High School) and Lillianna Wodzisz (Viola, South High School) were chosen for the MSBOA All-State High School Orchestra. They are recognized as some of the best young musicians in the State of Michigan. (Photo left to right: Ben Graham, Evren Celebi, Daniel Gross, Caleb Thomason-Redus, Lillianna Wodzisz).
Board Briefs from their regular meeting 1/23/23
During their regular meeting on Monday, January 23rd, the board of education received an important budget update from Deputy Superintendent Amanda Matheson. The full report is linked here and from the meeting agenda on the district calendar, but key points of the financial history summary include:
- State funding is at an all-time high.
- State & GPPSS enrollment is at an all-time low.
- Trombly & Poupard closed at the end of FY2020.
- Hold Harmless Rate was reduced in FY2022.
- Pandemic Relief Funding ends in FY2024.
- Expenditure reductions will be necessary over the next two years.
History of GPPSS Enrollment
In the 1975-76 school year GPPSS had 11,145 students. In 2021-22, that number dropped to 6.636. This trends with state enrollment and birth rates across Michigan until the Pandemic (another slide in the presentation).
General Fund Revenue Categories
Many community members are not aware that since Proposal A in the early 1990s, the majority of our school taxes (not hold harmless or sinking fund or local millages) go to the State and come back to us in a per pupil allocation. So student enrollment drives the majority of our budget. And 85% of our budget in this service industry is people.
Fund Balance
Deputy Superintendent Matheson also provided next steps in the budget development process which include:
- January 25, 2023 - Governor’s 2023 State of the State
- February 13, 2023 – BOE Meeting
- Adoption of 2023-2024 Budget Parameters
- February 2023 - Governor’s Budget Proposal
- March/April 2023 - Legislature Deliberates
- House Budget Proposal
- Senate Budget Proposal
- May 2023 - Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC)
- June 12, 2023 – BOE Meeting
- Public Hearing on 2023-2024 Proposed Budget
- June 26, 2023 – BOE Meeting
- Adoption of 2023-2024 Budget
The BOE action items included 7-0 approval of the revised minutes from December 19 and the minutes from January 9 and 19. Also passing 7-0 was the human resources report. Please note that the final action item, which passed 6-1, adjusts the start time of all regular board meetings from 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. moving forward.
Previewed for action February 13 were the thirteen 2023-24 Budget Parameters:
- Student enrollment
- Student and staff safety
- Community engagement and satisfaction
- Innovative program offerings
- Staff satisfaction and retention
- Student to teacher ratio analysis
- Support services cost containment and reduction
- Health care cost containment
- Forecast and budget accuracy
- Anticipate federal aid reduction
- Class size standards
- Employee contracts
- General fund equity levels
The board then discussed BOE Legal Counsel and the supporting documentation is now linked here and from the January 23 agenda.
Future meetings include:
- BOE Workshop - Onboarding Roles/Relations, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Morningside Board Room
- BOE Regular Session, Monday, February 13, 2023, 6:30 p.m., Brownell Multipurpose Room
We plan to hold school tomorrow
Earlier this afternoon Superintendent Jon Dean attended a meeting of Wayne County superintendents that was focused on the potential impact weather could have on school for Wednesday, January 25th. The meeting was attended by a meteorologist who shared that at this time the snow is predicted to start mid-morning with slow accumulation throughout the day. Based on that forecast, most Wayne County districts, including GPPSS, will have a 'regular' day of school tomorrow.
Of course we'll continue to monitor weather reports and we will adjust if necessary. Now is a great time to put back up plans in place should we ever need to cancel school. If the ice cubes, inside out PJ's and spoons under pillows work, we will send a robocall, email, post on websites and social media, and share with the local radio and TV stations. Remind your student to dress for the weather including boots, hats, gloves and snowpants if they are going out for recess.
Communities United in Diversity January 26
I can't believe that just happened ... I just don't have the words.
Have you ever been in a situation where you've been shocked by the words and actions of someone else and didn't know what to say or do? We all have...
Join us for our rescheduled Communities United in Diversity meeting on Thursday, January 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the library at Parcells Middle School. The topic is Be an Upstander, and the presenter is Dr. Roy Bishop Jr., Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services. During our session we will collaborate together on best practices to respond and ask the right questions when situations arise that make us feel uncomfortable.
Childcare will be provided by NJHS students. Please contact Emily Rennpage at rennpae@gpschools.org or Nick Symonette at symonen@gpschools.org with questions.
Register now for Preschool
Registration is now open for the Grosse Pointe Public School System’s tuition-based Child Development and Preschool program. The deadline to apply online is January 31.
Program Offerings for the 2023-24 School Year:
Barnes Early Childhood Center: 2 1/2 years old- 4 years old
Ferry and Richard Pre-K: 4 years old
All programs have a 3-day per week attendance minimum.
Program hours:
School Day 8:30am-3:45 a.m.
Extended Day 7:15am-6:00 p.m.
More information about each program, including tuition rates and enrollment information, can be found by visiting the Preschool section of the website. The preschool program's main office is located at the Barnes Early Childhood Center. If you have questions regarding availability or would like to schedule a visit, please contact us at PRESCHOOL@GPSCHOOLS.ORG or call (313) 432-3809.
Register NOW for Young Fives and Kindergarten
We welcome our young learners to the district!
CLICK HERE TO BEGIN ENROLLMENT FOR KINDERGARTEN OR YOUNG FIVES.
For Young Fives, please submit this Y5 Lottery Preference Form by April 10th.
For questions about kindergarten registration, please contact the enrollment office, (313) 432-3083. Families with kindergarten students must complete enrollment prior to May 1 to be guaranteed placement in their home school. Young Fives placement will depend upon the lottery, so please fill out that form prior to April 10.
To review what was shared at our January 12, 2023 parent/guardian information night, CLICK HERE FOR MORE RESOURCES. Or click here to watch a video about our GPPSS Kindergarten program which includes Young Fives.
Pierce Middle School presents Matilda, Jr. 1/27 & 28
Pierce Middle School Auditorium
15430 Kercheval Avenue
Grosse Pointe Park
Friday, January 27 at 7 p.m.
Saturday January 28 at 2 p.m.
Tickets available at Coreander's Children's Bookshoppe on Kercheval Avenue or at the door thirty minutes prior to showtime.
Travel around the globe at Kerby January 27
Kerby Elementary’s PTO is hosting a diversity event called Around the Globe at 5 p.m. Friday, January 27. All are welcome to come for this epic cultural festival complete with dance, music, international cuisine, raffles, a kids’ fashion show and more.
Organizers encourage families to come out to travel around the world, enjoy tasty food, watch artists at work, cheer on the children as they walk the runway and learn about the world around us.
Countries to be highlighted include Poland, Lebanon, Nigeria, China, Greece, Afghanistan, Tunisia, France, Brazil and more.
The cost is $25 per family or $15 per individual.
There are sponsorship opportunities available. Contact Palo Barakzai at (917) 952-1671 for more details.
GPS Booster Bash this Saturday! Auction is Live!
CTE Spotlight
Skilled Trades Night 1/28 at North
CTE Facts & Figures in GPPSS
EMT class enrolling now
Click the images above to enlarge them. If you or someone you know would like to host a table at our Skilled Trades Career Night, please contact Jenny Sherman, Grosse Pointe North counseling department chair, at shermaj@gpschools.org.