Keep Cross!
Can Bowen!

It was with sadness and disappointment that I heard "through the grapevine" last week of the dismissal of Mr. Cross.

Mr. Cross has played a crucial role in nurturing my daughter's love for music and her growth as a musician. Thanks to Mr. Cross and Mr. Gross, my daughter has found a niche she loves, feels comfortable in and excels at.

Mr. Cross has played a crucial role in strengthening the Grosse Pointe band program. The man's astonishing enthusiasm and dedication are demonstrated by the incredible number of practices and competitions and performances to which he has taken his students. His Pierce and South bands were awarded First Divisions and substantial praise at the MSBOA competitions. His Jazz Bands have won many awards and performed at the Hard Rock. If that was not enough, he worked to bring back Marching Band after a hiatus dating to 1987!

Yes, Mr. Cross' letter to the parents displayed poor judgment. But at least his example does not find him regularly in the Grosse Pointe Times Crime Watch. It seems clear that the School Board represents sees his sin as sharing with parents the facts of his employment situation. I fear, though, that GPPSS objects more strongly to his sharing the implications of their decisions upon instrumental music students' education. And yet, this is one thing parents have a clear right and need to know.

It is important that GPPSS do right by Mr. Cross. Even more, it is important that GPPSS do right by its students.

Being considered one of the nation’s top high schools, Grosse Pointe South is blessed with teachers who are passionate about teaching, dedicated beyond expectations and inspire students who go on to accomplish great things. Beyond academics, our community recognizes these same characteristics when it comes to our Arts programs and Grosse Pointe South’s music program is no exception. I believe Mr. Cross exemplifies everything we’ve come to expect from our teachers and then some.

I find it hard to understand how our administrators can find "words" on a piece of paper to be more harmful that a tap on the head. They need to rethink this and retain Mr. Cross.

My daughter is not in band, but orchestra at Pierce. However, I saw his driection and pride of the groups and their accomplishment. It was clear that these kids had profited from his tutelage. GP School Board may have other reasons for this, but such summary dismissal without due process sets them up for criticism, and we for an onerous process of litigation and appeal. The way to deal with the school board is at the ballot box.

I believe the school board is subject to the Open Meetings Act. Did the school board post a notice indicating the date, time and place at least 18 hours before the 7:00 a.m. meeting?

So let me get this straight...Cross is fired but Ellen Bowen is still employed in the GPSS? I guess the school system around here is really going down the toilet. Even in a "lower class" district teachers would be automatically fired after the type of inappropriate behavior Ellen displayed. This guy writes a letter and gets canned but she can verbally and physically abuse both students and their property AND then gets to still teach here? What a sick joke. Student safety obviously comes last after countless other things the school board is more concerned with. The community should be deciding these things as a whole, not a few brainless people within the GPSS.

While the school board acted swiftly—perhaps too swiftly—there is no denying that there have occurred multiple instances of Cross' not only lack of respect, but lack of dedication. If he was about to bail because he was moved from 1.0 time to 0.9 time, he clearly does not have concern for the program. And his allegations against the former band teacher were false. You don't get fired because it is "fair." But a decision was made, and it is one the community should embrace in this former student's humble opinion. And yes, Ellen should get the boot, too. But that is a whole 'nother discussion.

The fact that Cross was fired and Ellen Bowen still hasn't been is sort of unbelievable. This school board is hard to figure out.

As a parent and a musician, I am appalled at the firing of Mr. Cross. I would argue that he is indeed dedicated, and has improved the band program tremendously in a short amount of time. Mr. Cross has a definite understand of what a symphonic band should be, and there is no comparison to what I saw in my daughter's freshman year there. For a second year teacher in Grosse Pointe, you'd better believe that every penny counts, particularly when you have small children. The school board was wrong. And, by the way, though I sent them a letter asking them to contact me, I have not heard a word back in days. In light of the other news out of South, this is an embarrassment.

Yes, I expected to hear that the person they finally fired was Ellen Bowen. But no! I'm quite concerned about the direction of this district with the mysterious firing of the two South principals last year, the leaving of North's AD Carmen Kennedy and now North principal Tim Bearden. Why are the good people leaving and one of the bad apples is all safe in her job?

To say that Mr. Cross is not dedicated is ridiculous! He has worked tirelessly and enthusiastically with the children to bring South's band program to recognition. He has been a great asset to the program and the school system. It is shameful the manner in which he was fired. There was no thought to the consequences this poor decision would have on the students and their program.

Mr. Cross was the most dedicated teacher. At the board meeting today the room was filled with supportive students and parents but at the end most students felt their questions about the situation were not answered and their concerns were barely acknowledged. It's very unfortunate to see how this situation was handled.

Steve Cross is a true professional in music education. He knew exactly what the band programs needed at Pierce and South High, and he spent unlimited hours in building the programs. At Pierce, he increased the numbers in the 7th and 8th grade bands. He directed the jazz band after school, and brought in South students to mentor them. Morale in the Pierce band program was higher than ever.

At South he often spent his lunch hour meeting with band officers and coaching students. South and Pierce students benefited from clinics with professional musicians. This was an effective teaching tool which provided group lessons, which brought great improvement. DSO musicians participated in these clinics. What more could parents want?

The pep band improved vastly over the past two years, and received numerous compliments. Steve Cross volunteered his time Over and above the extra pay he received to conduct this group.

The jazz band was able to practice three times each week because of Steve's dedication, again working more hours than he had to. The group accomplished great things, performing at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Why didnt the School Board find out what kind of teacher Mr. Cross was before they voted to terminate his employment. Perhaps they were advised incorrectly by the newly hired personnel director. Let us hope that the union is successful in having him reinstated, because a vast majority of his students want to sit under his baton again come September!

I had the good fortune to attend this evening's School Board meeting. By far the most lively and most impressive portion was the many expressions of support for Mr. Cross and his contributions by grateful students and parents during the public comment period. The articulate and well crafted statements by South and Pierce students were roundly praised by Board members. Even though they were unable to move the Board through sheer power of reason and emotion, the students have much reason to be proud, as do their parents.

The Board declared that their actions were in the best interest of the music program and that their goal is now to move forward and do the best they can in replacing Mr. Cross. Perhaps after tonight's meeting, they have begun to understand how high the bar has been set and how little time remains on their clock. The first milestone will be whether the new director or his substitute can launch Pep Band practice in time to support football games that are scheduled before the beginning of the school year. Later we will see whether all those individual MSBOA and Jazz Band competitions and ensembles take place, or whether Mr. Cross' prophecy comes true after all. It will be up to the students and parents to ensure that the Board delivers on their promises... and is held to account should they fall short.

Ranae Beyerlein (once again) sounds like she works for David Griem. No teacher has ever done anything wrong, EVER!

It seems to me that once again, a teacher is being tried in the press. I'm willing to bet that the majority of you calling for the firings of Cross and Bowen have never had a child in either band or choir. A letter to parents or a tap on the head with a cell phone is so much different (and so much worse) from a football coach grabbing a player's face mask because...? I'll bet you also didn't know that the young man's parents in the Bowen case begged her to take him back, and that he signed an agreement that he would not disrupt class - which he promptly broke. Let's drop the mob mentality and let the facts be brought out before casting judgement.

I find the Grosse Pointe School Board's lack of discretion disturbing. I do not agree with the witch hunt that lead to Mr. Sloan's termination. I do not agree with people finding out about their decisions to terminate employment prior to the employee.

The irony of the school board terminating an employee for a breach of discretion when they have shown so little is not lost on me.

What lack of discretion did the school board demonstrate? It sounds like they took what they considered necessary action as discreetly as possible (while still meeting open meeting requirements etc.). The article even indicates that Mr. Cross was informed before that action was taken (and by the way, he had already threatened to leave because of a cut of one class). Then the Board indicated that they cannot discuss personnel matters at board meetings and said nothing more about it beyond that it is a hard thing to do but it was thoroughly vetted. The letter Mr. Cross sent to students and parents was obviously just the last straw. As a band parent who attended the meeting last night it appeared that the Board went out of their way to make sure there was time for the opposing students to voice their concerns and in fact complimented and thanked the students who spoke on Mr. Cross' behalf (who themselves acknowledged there may be more to the picture than is being publically discussed). Finally, I agree with the poster above who says the community should show its support by attending the amazing Grosse Pointe South (and Pierce) band concerts next year, instead of trying to second guess and criticize without even knowing 1/2 of the full picture.

Diane, what does a 4% pay cut have to do with my comments? Neither my wife nor I am affected by this. My point is that the Board once again is airing selective information in the press to gain public support, and protocol be damned. Making Mr. Cross and Ms. Bowen out to be pariahs so they can justify some personal bias is not the way to conduct business.

Why the rush? What was the emergency? He was an outstanding teacher who brought the bands, particularly the Middle School Jazz band to levels of measurable success never experienced before. He taught my daughter new instruments and encouraged her in every way. We need to protect and celebrate teachers like Mr. Cross. Our music program is excellent. Reaching out to the boosters in an effort to preserve that success is not a reason to terminate. Sounds more like pro-active solution solving to me.

We went to the board meeting last night. Many motivated students were so determined to fight Mr. Cross's termination that they organized themselves, signed a petition, sat through a budget meeting and spoke out on his behalf. Some of these same kids cannot be convinced to do their homework. Mr. Cross is a valued teacher, committed and valued by the kids. Personally, a teacher that inspires so much support is one I want to keep.

Is Grosse Pointe South to become a laughing stock? They keep Ellen Bowen whose personnel file is rife with disciplinary actions and they hastily fire another teacher because of a letter to parents? Guess the band didn't win enough competitions for the Board to "look the other way"...what a shame and embarassment to the whole community! M.K.

What a shame! I clicked on the email form the patch tir rad about the latest news about Grosse Pointe's notorious contract killer, only to find out the Mr. Cross has Ben fired! I find the board's decision to fire Mr. Cross were arbitrary and unfair! Once again it seems like favoritism and politics are rampant in GPPSS! I agree Mr. Cross has done way and above the call of duty as the GP BAND leader for South and Pierce! BRING MR. CROSS BACK AND GIVE HIM HIS DESERVED TENURED!

The school board has refused to answer the question as to why Mr Cross was terminated as opposed to disciplined if they disagreed with his actions. Ellen Bowen can get away with violence against students and Stephen Cross is in trouble for telling the parents to contact their administrators if they were unhappy about cuts in the program. Is this Grosse Pointe or Nazi Germany?

Keep sending emails to the school board to retain Mr Cross
They should not get away with this.

2nd band director leavng who has to work w/Bowen. Just what, WHO is the problem?

2nd band director peparated from GPPS who has to work w/Ellen Bowen? What/ WHO s the problem?

I think the school board overreacted to the letter mr. Cross sent to parents. He was only letting parents know that he would no longer put in all of the additional hours he had added to his extra duty assignments. No one could expect him to knock himself out with the extraordinary hours he had been putting in when the district cut his pay by ten percent. They were unfair to him because they were rushing to fire him before they figured he would be tenured. The school system should rescind their action and bring him back. I think that he is one of the best high school band director around, and it would be great for our kids to continue to learn from him.

There is a lot more to this action than we know. Many teachers were notified in May of changes for the next school year. However, parents only heard of the change that affected Mr. Cross - the deletion of a music theory class - a class that may have been given back to him in light of the Ellen escapade. However, he gave up on our kids, started a temper tantrum and interviewing for another job. Go back and read his letter. Seriously, all this drama over a music theory class? He was taking it out on our kids by cutting the classes that teach them music for concerts and competitions. Is that an example GPPSS wants to retain?

It appears from news accounts that Mr Cross attempted to schedule meetings with the HR director Mr Jon Dean several times in the month of May. Mr Dean declined to meet with him. Mr Dean had no difficulty notifying Mr Cross of his termination on the last day of school. If the administration is not willing to discuss this matter with parents and was not willing to discuss the situation with Mr Cross how are we to know the basis of the termination. I have sent several letters to the school board and to the administration and have been told it is a personnel issue they cannot discuss but they are pleased to have me as a concerned parent in the district. An administration and board that is willing to let the public vent, but does not answer questions is a nonresponsive administration that should be replaced. The students and Mr Cross have been unjustly treated by this terminaton and it is the band program that will continue to suffer as a result.

I really hope the teachers union is successful in having Steve Cross reinstated soon. A vast majority of Pierce and South band students are devastated at the loss of their band director. Our students were really fortunate to learn and perform under one of the top band directors in Michigan. Mr. Cross knocked himself out to improve the band programs at both schools. His efforts paid off with increased numbers in all of his performance groups. I find it amusing that someone commented above that it doesn't matter who is up front leading the band. That individual must never have been in a choir, band, or orchestra. The director makes all the difference in the world. The previous band teacher in this position had no experience teaching high school band. Under his direction, the bands at both schools declined dramatically in number. That is why we were lucky to get an experienced band person when Steve Cross came. I applaud the district for hiring him. Steve Cross did not do anything that justified being fired. Any teacher that worked such an amazing number of hours outside of the classroom would be upset about a cut to part time status. hHis letter to parents was justified, because administrators were refusing to hear his concerns. The best teacher to lead our band students next fall is Steve Cross. Bring him back!

The issue is not about whether Mr. Cross was threatening to leave, was dedicated or not, had student/parent support or not. The fundamental issue is whether the GPPSS public school system is fully supportive of the band program at South and Pierce. Based on their actions, I believe they are not. Does anyone actually believe that a teacher should be conducting 4 bands, 3 jazz bands and a pep band, as well as teaching other music classes, and NOT be a full-time employee? Is the Director of Bands at North High School full time? If and when Mr. Cross is replaced, and that person presumably becomes the low man on the seniority list, why should they knock themselves out knowing they can lose their full-time status (assuming they had it to begin with) at any time? If the district is committed to the quality program they claim, then I believe the job remains full-time, budget cuts and all. If they’re not committed, then accept the fact that the job will constantly be turning over, because truly dedicated staff need to know that their high-level performance is rewarded by some level of loyalty and job security. The parents will support a quality Band Director (and Mr. Cross was and is)—will the district echo that support?

As a parent of an 8th grader I can tell you the middle school band greatly improved under the direction of Mr Cross. The Pierce middle school band had not been to district festivals in years until Mr Cross came. The Jazz band program was excellent and for the first time the Pierce Middle school went to festival and received a superior rating. Prior to Mr Cross coming the number of students remaining in band was dramtically declinine. Mr Cross was hired to fix a problem. The administration that hired him recongized the band program was decling. Mr Cross fixed this program and now they have thrown him away. Does anyone think in this economy a teacher who has been fired from a district like ours will be able to compete against the hundreds of applications for a postion. The termination is a severe impairment for Mr Cross to continue in education. He should be brought back and I sincerely hope he previals in his grievance.

Look, it has to be understood, that in all cases where this is an issue....another teacher under scrutiny as well.......there is one camp of students/parents/peers who think that person is great, and there is another group that doesn't. Obvious one here folks, let's let the proper systems in place judge OBJECTIVELY what has been going on and make that choice OBJECTIVELY. We cannot think that all of our opinions is the whole story, we are not privy to all of this for obvious reasons. If any one of us were fired from our jobs, would it be public knowledge and would our personnel files be spread out all over the world for everyone to know the underlying reasons? Would HR or any Board that played a part in their decision reveal those things to our peers? I would certainly hope not for me or any one of you. I agree with tk, I don't think Mr. Cross nor even Ms. Bowen would like that at all. Out of respect for both, whether careers are over or not, and for the governing bodies that need to make an objective decision, we really all need to stop, our opinions and how we feel about these situations are our own. The ones that matter, that sit in confidential files to be objectively reviewed will matter, and will be, no doubt, carefully weighed.

Our Board and administration is to be responsive to us. I have seen no specifics from anyone complaining about Mr Cross. I have seen numerous messages is support of him. Unlike Ellen Bowen we do not know what Mr Cross did to deserve his termination. We know about Ellen Bowen's conviction for assault and that she phsyically hit a student with a cell phone during class. What did Mr Cross do? All the administration wants to say is it is a personnel matter. No one has come forward with any acusations to support the termination of a fine teacher like Mr Cross. I beleve the administration shows favoritism to the vocal program over the band. If they accept Ellen Bowen's offer to continue one year to transiton the vocal program for the new director they are again showing favortism. If Mr Cross had assaulted a student I would want him out. He has not done that. Good teachers should not be terminated without the public having some understanding of what went wrong. Mr Cross had excellent teaching reviews. He stepped on someone's toes by suggesting parents contact the administration when Mr Dean would not meet with him regarding cuts. This is not a reason to terminate someone.

When I first heard the shocking news that Mr. Cross had been fired, it was very hard to believe, especially since Mr. Cross was the sole reason I chose not to attend ULS. When he came to Grosse Pointe South my sophomore year, the improvements to the band program were incredible. Though I had been ready to quit the program, I changed my mind when I heard that we would have a new director.
Mr. Cross is extremely encouraging, giving compliments instead of constant criticisms and challenging students with more difficult pieces of music instead of gliding by attempting the bare minimum. I remember talking about how nice he was with my friends. We were so surprised that he actually told us we were good! He brought in excellent sectional teachers throughout the year, whose expertise contributed to our quick improvement as an ensemble. With the help of our sectional leader, my section won "most improved" at the banquet!
Mr. Cross also helped me to improve personally, offering private lessons over the summer for students who wanted to get better. He was the first and only teacher to notice the mistakes in my technique and to show me how to fix them.
Students can tell the difference between good and bad teachers. Despite what some have been trying to argue, Mr. Cross does have the support of most of the band, and we have the signatures to prove it.
The decision to fire Mr. Cross was wrong, and I hope they bring him back! He deserves it.

Mr. Cross was a teacher with the district for just 2 years (and it was his 3rd job in the past 5 school years). No one besides Mr. Cross, the administration and the school board know what is in his personnel fie, which is exactly how it should be. And these people privy to all the FACTS apparently voted UNANIMOUSLY in support of the decision to separate. As for the cut to his schedule--should the district promise every teacher full time pay and schedule regardless of seniority or enrollment? If so how will the district do this and ever have a workable budget? Every year teachers in this and every school district weather pink slips, cuts, reinstatements etc.-- particularly when low on the totem pole. Yet we never hear a word about how they tried to set up meetings with administration etc., nor are we asked to lobby on their behalf to make the district pay them more. I'd guess that no new English teacher has ever suggested that the district doesn't fully support reading and writing because they went from 1.0 to .9 in their schedule for a year due to enrollment/seniority. Unfortunately, it obviously became an unworkable relationship with Mr. Cross. All this sniping and whining in the public by a few people is not productive for anyone-- including Mr. Cross or our district and administration as they undergo a search for a new band leader. Let’s try to move on, respect the sound process in place and take a positive step forward to support the GPS band program.

Dear GPS booster, "sniping and whining" wow, I guess that is why you anonymously posted. I too wouldn't want to be credited for that. "few people" I disagree. "respect the sound process" now we are talking. Part of respecting the process would include acknowledging that sometimes mistakes are made even among the best groups. Reflection and open dialogue are part of the system. Yes, the board voted to fire him. However, I believe that in the heat of the moment (a rushed 7am meeting to prevent him from getting district tenure) they voted based on the limited information available from an administration already irritated for questioning them and a select, minority group of South parents. I can't imagine how a thorough investigative process could have occurred overnight graduation weekend. No, the meeting was called specifically to fire him while they had the chance and before support could be rallied. Certainly, no Pierce parents that I am aware of and where Mr. Cross spent HALF HIS TIME time were contacted. Reflection, sure. Let's start with observations made during Mr. Cross's two years in the district. HUGE IMPROVEMENTS and MEASURABLE RESULTS. Examples, increased student enrollment in the programs, better MSBOA scores, Pierce's jazz band competing against area high schools and outscoring them. Yes, there are parents/students who may not like him. It's true of all teachers, especially the good ones. Respectfully, I do question this decision and the process.

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Anyone received a response from the administration as to why Mr Cross was terminated as oppsed to disciplined if the administration felt he acted inappropriate. Anyone received a response from the board as to why they felt a 7:00 am meeting without approriate notification to interested parties was held with less than 24 hours notice? What is the administration trying to hide. Does every teacher who expresses concerns to parents about the administration now have to fear for a rush to judgment termination. The administration's action have far reaching implications.

They owe all parents in the district an explanation.

It amazes me that people who are not disappointed by the boards actions are the same people who do not leave there name. Perhaps they were the few people the administratie con
supposedly spoke to regarding Mr Cross. The board did not seek input from any of the parents at Pierce nor did they openly seek information from the community. The administartion was upset with Mr Cross because he asked parents to contact them directly when the HR person Mr Dean would not discuss cuts with him personally. Shame on the administration. Their violation of the open meetings act will come back to haunt them.

Joy, my anonymous vote looks forward to seeing your name on the ballot in the fall, if you feel everyone is doing such a bad job, please either apply for an open administration position in our district, or put your name on the ballot for the 2 opening positions on the Board. I would be happy to see how much better you can do.

The open meetings act requires more than a notice being placed in a building that is open from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. That notice must be acessable to the public for 18 horus prior to the meeting. A building that closes at 5:00 is not open to the public.

http://www.grossepointenews.com/Articles-i-2012-07-26-247508.114135-Two-openings-in-trustee-election.html

Above Joy, instruction on how to file your commitment to run for one of the available Board Trustee positions, just thought I would help you out....again, please run, I really need to see if you can do much better than the already existing, dedicated and committed Board Members.

Joy, if you feel the law was not abided by and you are very knowledgable of the law, then that, as my original point eluded to, would make you a perfect candidate for the open Board Trustee positions, you've already studied up very well on what Board Members and Administration should/should have done. I have no issue nor have I persecuted the Board and Administration, I think they did follow the law, and did the right thing.....Please Joy, take your complaints of what was done v. what should have been done, and put your energy where it would really count, run for the vacant Trustee seats, there, your interpretations of the law and how it should be done in lieu of your interpretations will really count, leaving your comments here? Well, that isn't going to get you too far, is it really? I'm just trying to help you, you seem very passionate about the issue and how terrible our Board and Adminstration is doing, I don't agree with you, enough said. I don't owe you any explanation of what I feel, any interpretation quite frankly of any law, I simply agree with what our Board voted on and Administration recommended the Board to vote on in the case of Cross, bottom line. If you want your interpretation to be heard, make it really count Joy, posting here is not going to get you the attention you really desire.

You misconstrue my motives if you prefer I post anonymously I can do that I am. Not fearful to have my identity known as you must be

I am a Band parent with absolutely no motives whatsoever, all my concerns have been conveyed to the Board and Administration as appropriate they should, and that is it, simply it....don't overcomplicate Joy. I am merely giving you a suggestion. Conversation finished.