09/24/2024
Re-sharing from a post on another page because the board majority decided to protect a trustee that created a hostile work environment and because the truth matters
Grosse Pointe Public School Board of Education Trustees:
I respectfully request that GPPSS Board of Education trustees refrain from commenting publicly (directly or indirectly) on my reasons for leaving the district, especially when the comments are speculative, second-hand or unconfirmed. In the BOE meeting of September 10, 2024 (00:59:50), Trustee Collins names my current role and then implies that North’s former assistant principals “took an opportunity to better [their] careers…” and that they had “career goals to be a superintendent or any next step.” Katy Vernier can speak for herself, and I cannot and would not speak with any authority about the reasons for her decision. She took a path that was good or right for her. The only thing I will say about her is that she is going to be an outstanding elementary school principal!
As for me, I have never stated to anyone that I was interested in “bettering my career” or that I had the “goal to be a superintendent.” I am not a careerist. While I am confident in my ability to lead a school as a building principal, I love North High School and GPPSS and I had completely intended to retire from the district, even in the role of Assistant Principal. I left North/GPPSS because–over the last few years–decisions made by the Board and by others in positions of power and leadership made it difficult for me to do my job in a meaningful and effective way, and because some of those decisions directly impacted key services for students and the health and well-being of staff members about whom I care very deeply. I don’t believe in staying in an environment if I don’t believe I can affect change any longer. I also don’t believe in staying in a work environment when staying in that environment has a dramatically negative impact on me, my relationships with my colleagues, and/or my capacity to be a wholly present husband and father. And, then, there was the deplorable treatment of Kate Murray and Michelle Davis that was gut wrenching to watch so closely. From my standpoint, the issues surrounding the previous North administrative team and the ways our team were impacted were pervasive and profound. That is why I made a change. I would say that anyone saying anything other than that seems presumptuous, duplicitous or malicious. I don’t presume to know or speak to that person’s motivation, though. I only ask the same courtesy: please don’t presume that you know or should speak to my motivations, either.
On a related note: It was intentional on my part–based on my personal situation–to leave GPPSS as “quietly” as was possible under the circumstances. Of course it was going to be a big deal to have all the administrators leave their positions at the same time. However, you will notice that there is not a quote from me anywhere. I rejected offers from local and regional media to talk about my decision. I have not aired my grievances with students or staff. So, I would like the same “quiet” attention returned to me. I am still a North cheerleader and advocate. I still love and intensely miss North’s staff and students. I still believe in the people of GPPSS and what they can do for kids and the community. Please let that be the thing you say about me, if you feel compelled to say anything at all.
Your comments matter. You should spend more time considering them. The most professionally hurtful thing I’ve ever heard said about me and my colleagues also came from this Board. In the meeting of June 12, 2024 (00:55:55), Trustee Collins asserted that students aren’t that concerned about who their administrators are. They only care about their teachers and their peers… Well, not for nothing, but one of my high school assistant principals was named Mrs. Allen. I was her office aide. She was immensely kind and, honestly, she spoiled me a bit! She shared with me the fried chicken she used to get from Hudsons on her lunch break. She used to drop me at home during some winter afternoons when my mom couldn’t get me early enough. She nominated me for several scholarships that helped fund my undergraduate education and ultimately led me down the path to be a teacher. She gave me a good “talking to” one day when she learned I skipped school to go to the movies. I can see her face like she was here just yesterday. I can see her laugh and her scowl. I can see her look when I knew she was proud of student accomplishments. I still remember her hug at graduation, and I can still smell the chicken in her office. Kids know who their administrators are. I know who mine were. They had the power to change my life, and one of them did.
Please don’t act like I left because I had a better opportunity. Telling that lie would be what is “reckless” (if I may quote the word used at the most recent BOE meeting). North was and is a home for me. I know no better opportunity than protecting and serving it. And, now that we are gone, please stop acting like our specific admin team didn’t matter. That’s so little to ask of you. Put another way: just don’t be hurtful, if you can just muster that basic humanity…
Sincerely,
Geoffrey Harris Young
GPN English Teacher (2000-2017)
GPN Assistant Principal (2017-2024)
