Community luncheon focuses on educational issues

GROSSE POINTE PARK — All who gathered at the annual Grosse Pointe Public School System community luncheon Oct. 1 had the opportunity to mingle with elected officials, school board members, law enforcement officers, educators and clergy from the five Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods.

They also received information regarding several educational topics during the 90-minute event held at Defer Elementary School.

After a welcome from Principal Lisa Rheaume, GPPSS Superintendent Gary Niehaus addressed those gathered about the district’s $111,040,000 bond referendum that will be on the ballot during the Nov. 6 general election. The bond referendum, if passed, will provide a number of updates throughout the district, including building enhancements and technology upgrades.

In the spring of 2017, Plante Moran Cresa began a review of building needs based on the district’s guidelines — provide a five-year pupil enrollment projection, and provide a 10-year capital plan for the district. A critical needs list was put together, and it was determined that the areas of roofing, masonry, plumbing, bathrooms, electrical, safety, security and Wi-Fi all needed upgrades. If the bond referendum passes, it will raise taxes among the residents of the district.

According to district officials, the proposed bond is focused on keeping students safe, warm and dry. Several projects throughout the district are planned should the bond issue pass. The safe portion includes the following projects: asbestos abatement, securing vestibules, installing integrated camera systems, adding more cameras throughout the buildings and grounds, updating public address systems, and updating the technology infrastructure to support these.

The warm part of the bond items include having efficient HVAC systems and electrical upgrades. The dry portion of the bond projects would include the replacement of roofs, updating bathrooms, and masonry and tuckpointing work.

A bond issue is a state-approved funding process for a group of planned projects. When voters approve a bond proposal, the school district sells bonds in the authorized amount and uses the proceeds of the sale to pay for those projects. Under Michigan law, bond dollars cannot be used to pay teacher or administrator salaries, for routine maintenance or repair costs, or for other school district operating expenses. Bonds are usually paid back in 20-30 years.

School officials have provided examples of the estimated costs to homeowners should the referendum pass. A homeowner, for example, with a $200,000 market value would pay approximately $150 per year. As another example, in a home with a market value of $300,000, the homeowner would pay $225 per year should the bond initiative pass. With a home market value of $400,000, the new tax would be approximately $300 per year.

Niehaus also reminded the luncheon attendees of the district’s Board of Education election Nov. 6. The following seven candidates are running for the three open seats: Christian Fenton, Christopher Lee, Wendy Saigh, Walt Schwartz, John Shook, and incumbents Brian Summerfield and Margaret Weertz.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, and U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, also spoke at the luncheon.

Last year, Peters and John Thune, R-South Dakota, introduced the bipartisan American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies Act, referred to as AV START. Peters discussed the bill, which is designed to help advance the testing and development of self-driving vehicles that the two lawmakers say have the potential to improve mobility, reduce accidents, save lives, and ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of advanced technologies and innovation.

“Our jobs will be a whole lot different than they are now,” Peters said. “We will have to be prepared to have the proper training.”

That includes deciding what specific skills job seekers will need “to move forward.”

“The Grosse Pointe Public School System is really innovative,” Peters said. “You understand those kinds of changes.”

Lawrence briefly spoke about the need for mental health assessments for children in the foster care system. She also stressed the importance of skilled trades.

At the luncheon, Anthony Arminiak, president of the Wayne County Community College District Downriver Campus and provost for the Michigan Institute of Public Safety, shared details about the new emergency medical technician class that began this year through Wayne County Community College at Grosse Pointe South High School for South and Grosse Pointe North High School students.

The event also gave Defer students a chance to participate in the luncheon. Fourth-grade students Audra Ward and Lachlan Thompson were among those who greeted visitors.

“We greet the guests and tell them where the lunch is,” Ward said.

“It’s fun,” Thompson said.

The third-graders, under the direction of teacher Elizabeth Moses, performed two songs, “I Am a Leader” and “Life is Good.” Several students helped with the cleanup, while others, including fifth-grade student Cassie Summerfield, provided school tours after lunch.

The community luncheon is held once a year at a different school in the Grosse Pointes. Next year’s event is scheduled to take place at Brownell Middle School in Grosse Pointe Farms.