Grosse Pointe School Board Recalls 5 of 33 Teachers

The Grosse Pointe Board of Education approved the recall of five teachers Monday after previously approving 33 layoffs. 

The recalls are encouraging to Grosse Pointe Education Association President Ranae Beyerlein, who said she is "happy they started the process." She is hopeful there will be more. 

Official notification will be given to those teachers following the board's approval. The two full recalls are for a science teacher who teaches at both and high schools and a math teacher from . The partial recalls are for two teachers from and North High School, according to the board's monthly human resources report.

The move to recall follows news that the district is not losing the originally feared $6 million of state-funding. Assistant Superintendent Christian Fenton explained Monday the board is losing only $3.6 million, which helps considerably in configuring the 2011/2012 fiscal year budget. 

In addition to the state budget helping, Beyerlein said enrollment will be another determining factor in whether more teachers will be recalled. 

The board also accepted the resignations of four employees for personal reasons and retirements of five employees. The retirements include:

• Principal Kathleen Satut, who worked for the district for 11 years.
• North High School astronomy teacher Ardis Herrold has been with the district for 24 years. 
• District Fringe Benefits Coordinator Barbara Larabell after 27.5 years and District Human Resources Supervisor Janet Rhodes after 23 years. 
• Pierce Middle School Classroom Assistant Susan Lauppe is also retiring after 23 years with the district.

In other personnel business, the board also approved the layoffs of three support staff. The support staff members are assistants who provide the one-on-one help to those students who need it in the classroom and the staffing is dependent on how many students require such help.

The district used eight of these staff members this year but enrollment thus far for next year is only calling for five, Assistant Superintendent Thomas Harwood said. There is potential for these employees to be recalled as well.