Since last year, the district has faced sporadic changes, including the resignation of superintendent Dr. Jon Dean and multiple budget cuts. Students from the Grosse Pointe Public School System have had to adjust to teachers leaving and the ripple effect that has on classes, clubs and programs. According to Niche, the student-to-teacher ratio at Grosse Pointe North is 17:1, which is above the national average, leaving students to feel like they’re not prioritized.
Many district schools, including Grosse Pointe North, have reduced classes, teachers, and space, leaving students to deal with unintended consequences. This is evident here, where a decrease in counselors has caused students to be reassigned counselors, or limits the time available to spend with their counselor. During the peak of college application season, counselors have tight schedules prioritizing College 101 leaving less time for office meetings. According to Collegeboard.org, your school counselor is crucial to obtaining college and career guidance. They highly encourage students to build a bond with their counselor for all four years of high school to benefit their futures. However, if you can’t find the time to meet with them, this bond will be inadequate. Although the school board voted to remove counselors due to budgetary restraints, cutting school counselors was an extreme decision and has impacted the ability for students to connect with their counselors.
Student-teacher relationships are a rewarding part of the high school experience, and students must be able to bond with their teachers to obtain letters of recommendation. Students who see teachers come and go are not left with many options and it is stressful asking teachers who are not as close with them. As students grow and become more themselves, they should be able to have a chance to share that growth with the staff around them. The inconsistencies in Grosse Pointe North’s staff may not seem like a big-picture issue but are truly harmful to the long-term success of our students.
Following this, programs at Grosse Pointe North have been falling behind due to new teachers and club advisors. Although change can be beneficial, it feels as though certain programs in our school district aren’t taken as seriously as others. According to Sttimothys.org, visual and performing arts are vital to students’ academic achievements, mental health, and overall confidence. Princetonreview.com also attributes participation in clubs to building crucial skills like critical thinking and personality. However, with new staff it may be intimidating to students that are unfamiliar with these programs. For students who find their support through these departments, the inconsistencies in staff can influence the dedication level of the students. We have seen 17 classes dropped so far this year, as well as clubs not being able to run because there are limited advisors available to help. We believe that students should not be denied these opportunities due to district decisions.