Teachers, administrators leaving Grosse Pointe schools as contract talks remain unresolved

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — With the school year fast approaching and no new contract in sight, teachers and administrators have been exiting the Grosse Pointe Public School System at what many local parents and educators say has been an alarming pace in recent weeks.

Teachers, parents and students raised concerns about this exodus and the lack of a new contract during a July 25 Grosse Pointe Board of Education meeting at Brownell Middle School in Grosse Pointe Farms. The failure to settle a new deal comes at a time when there’s a teacher shortage, and GPPSS teachers say many of their colleagues have chosen to accept positions in other districts, where they’re getting better pay and feel more valued.

“We’re at a point where neighboring districts are settling contracts with substantial (pay increases), and we have teachers that are jumping ship,” said Taryn Loughlin, co-president of the Grosse Pointe Education Association, which represents the teachers. “The offers are too good (to pass up), in addition to the instability (in the GPPSS).”

In matching red T-shirts, an estimated 40 teachers — some also carrying signs — marched in unison into the school board meeting July 25, with most sitting in rows near the front of the Brownell auditorium.

Grosse Pointe Shores resident Christa Fegan said parents are concerned there won’t be enough teachers in place when the school year starts this fall. Some parents are worried their children will have long-term substitute teachers in the classroom.

“Not having a contract is like an open wound in this community,” Fegan said.

At press time, the number of teachers in the district who’ve resigned had risen to about 32, Loughlin said.

“People are going to be really upset when they find out about this,” Loughlin said by phone last week. “There’s definitely going to be positions that are going to be unfilled at the beginning of the year. And if we don’t have a contract, it’s going to be hard to attract (new teachers).”

Loughlin said the teachers leaving included district veterans who had been with the GPPSS for 12 to 17 years. 

“This is a tremendous loss to Grosse Pointe public schools,” Loughlin said. “Having great teachers is an investment in the future of the district through the quality education they offer to students.”

Laura Hull, who had been teaching at Grosse Pointe North High School, said she resigned “with a heavy heart” to accept a more lucrative teaching position in a different district.

More important than the higher salary was the fact that “they gave me a sense of peace, stability and security,” Hull said. “The district is losing irreplaceable experts and talents.”

Pam Albrecht, a Grosse Pointe Farms mom of four and a teacher in the district, also pointed out the loss of educators to other districts.

“Your teachers are the backbone of the district,” Albrecht said. “If you don’t have great teachers, you don’t have much. … Don’t just tell us how much we’re valued and respected — show us with a fair and equitable contract.”

Despite recent budget and staff cuts, the district recently agreed to spend about $50,000 on a branding and marketing campaign for the district in the 2023 to 2024 fiscal year. Loughlin doesn’t think it’s money well spent.

“You can brand all you want, but if you don’t have excellent (educators) … I’m afraid you don’t have much to sell,” Loughlin said.

Grosse Pointe Woods resident Blagica Bottigliero echoed those sentiments, saying that the “teachers are not happy” and neither are some parents.

“You have to have a great product to market,” Bottigliero said. “We have a product problem in our community.”

Unlike most neighboring school districts, the GPPSS is a closed district — it doesn’t accept students from outside its school district boundaries — so some people question the decision to market the district at all. However, supporters of the marketing campaign say they hope to bring back some of the students in the district who have opted to attend school elsewhere.

Board member Valarie St. John said “one of the fundamental disagreements” on the board is that the majority feels schools should be run like a business.

“I don’t agree that we can use branding to get ourselves out of a budget crisis,” St. John said.

Some students weighed in as well July 25, including Jack Summers, a North junior, who criticized what he said is “the hostility this board’s majority has shown” to the teachers.

Ruta Hailu, the new student association president at North, said she wanted to “stand in solidarity” with the teachers.

“To see their worry … I was so in shock,” Hailu said. “We the students notice. … This can’t continue the way that it is.”

Board Vice President Lisa Papas thanked those who came out to offer their comments. She noted that the district is facing serious budgetary constraints.

“We are committed to settling the best contract we possibly can with the teachers,” Papas said. “We are unfortunately not in the best financial (position). … We are committed to making long-term, good decisions … and making sure they’re compensated fairly.”

Board member David Brumbaugh also thanked those who spoke, including the teachers and students.

“All seven of us are committed to getting a fair and strong contract,” Brumbaugh said.

Grosse Pointe Park resident Terry Collins, a 2022 school board candidate, said many people lost jobs and took pay cuts during economic downturns in recent decades, including himself, and high inflation is hitting everyone’s wallets.

“I hope the teachers get whatever the board can afford to give them. … It’s not that we’re unsympathetic to the plight of the teachers,” Collins said. “Everybody’s battling this. My salary hasn’t kept up with inflation.”

At press time, Loughlin said the teachers were still without a contract. After meeting July 31 and Aug. 1, she said talks were scheduled to resume Aug. 7.

“We still do not have a full agreement and we’re still continuing to bargain until we get something that’s fair and reflects the values of the Grosse Pointe school district,” Loughlin said.

Loughlin said teachers will be meeting with district officials and a mediator for the first time Aug. 15-16. The current contract expires Aug. 15.

“They’re really leaving this for the last minute,” Loughlin said of signing a new deal.