Tonight at the Board meeting, 40+ Grosse Pointe Teachers Union (GPEA) members show up and act in solidarity to ignore public comment restrictions and force the Board to concede that they can address their still unresolved contract despite it being off-topic. Collective power is real power. #grossePointeSchoolBoard

There are currently almost twice as many emails this year that trigger the OMA requirements as there were in all of 2022. #grossePointeSchoolBoard #localPolitics

The four-member conservative majority on my local school board is conducting a very public grievance campaign via the MI Open Meetings Act, which requires that emails from board members addressed to the entire school board be made available to the public: https://www.gpschools.org/Page/21774 #grossePointeSchoolBoard #localPolitics

A valiant effort, but unsuccessful. Resolution passes 4-2. counsel. #grossePointeSchoolBoard #localPolitics

While the majority squirms under questioning, the minority on the Grosse Pointe School Board is procedurally filibustering the controversial motion to hire independent legal counsel. #grossePointeSchoolBoard #localPolitics

Needed to meet w/ the community in person in order to fully realize that, not only is Facebook is the worst place to do online organizing (incentivizes distraction and conflict, buries information), but I'm part of the problem. I will start behaving differently in this community's online space until I can successfully advocate for an alternative. #organizing #localPolitics #hardLessons #grossePointeSchoolBoard

I think I need to begin publicly documenting what’s happening with my school board. I’ve kept a dormant blog barely alive for years, apparently for such a time as this. #localpolitics #grossePointeSchoolBoard

Update: started with a spreadsheet, began contacting folks, eventually found a group already on the ground, joined up and am proceeding from there. #organizing #grossePointe #grossePointeSchoolBoard

Started reaching out on 1/20 to organize. Today I finally made a connection with the right group, already on the ground. Hitching up my wagon and getting down to business! https://social.coop/@jnonfiction/109721980310350495 #xp #localPolitics #grossePointeSchoolBoard

The public has to hold our elected officials accountable by organizing to ensure we're watching every meeting. Get serious about conservative activism before it builds steam. /End #xp #localPolitics #grossePointe #grossePointeSchoolBoard

That makes it easier to introduce activist initiatives in committee with fewer observers, then bring them to the Board at the 11th hour for a vote. It's a tactic for avoiding oversight. 5/ #xp #localPolitics #grossePointe #grossePointeSchoolBoard

This signals that the Board plans to do A LOT of business this year: the amount of available labor alone is staggering. But also, lots of action will take place outside of regular meetings. 4/ #xp #localPolitics #grossePointe #grossePointeSchoolBoard

Historically, the Board has had two subcommittees, Finance and Policy. Now, Facilities/Finance, Policy/Contracts, Curriculum,
Community Engagement. https://www.gpschools.org/Page/21787 3/ #xp #localPolitics #grossePointe #grossePointeSchoolBoard

Committees made up of no more than 3 board members plus ~6 chair-appointed community members. Finance/Facilities is seated, the rest are TBD; all its appointed members are men. 2/ #xp #localPolitics #grossePointe #grossePointeSchoolBoard

Grosse Pointe School Board about to hire independent legal counsel, separate from the School District. The one active lawyer on the Board asks Chair to make it make sense: https://www.gpschools.org/Page/21781 #xp #localPolitics #grossePointeSchoolBoard

Apparently, EVERYONE watches the Grosse Pointe School Board livestream. #xp #localPolitics #grossePointeSchoolBoard

Principal of Grosse Pointe North here to ensure that Grosse Pointe School Board trustees unwinding her initiative have to look her in the eye as they do it. #grossePointeSchoolBoard

Grosse Pointe School Board, captured by conservative trustees in the most 2023 sense of the word conservative, is starting its term in the most ethically questionable manner possible, setting a terrible precedent for board conduct this year. #grossePointeSchoolBoard

Despite 11th hour tactics, community has shown up in force to make this vote against a free health clinic at Grosse Pointe North as costly as possible for activist trustees behind todays special meeting of the Grosse Pointe School Board. Speaker after speaker encourage this board to protect this clinic for students. #grossePointeSchoolBoard