Although the GPPF’s donation was sizable, according to Superintendent Andrea Tuttle’s presentation given during the meeting, it would cost the building a minimum of nine million dollars to open the school, which means the donation would only cover a fraction of the possible cost.
Tuttle gave an updated version of her presentation regarding Trombly during the meeting. Her presentation stated it would cost the district $1.1 million yearly if the building opens and enrolls current Defer students that live within the Trombly district.
Tuttle and central administration has been working to create a survey that would help the district understand the level of interest within the community to open the elementary. The survey is to be voted on during the January board meeting when the new board is inducted.
Resident of the Trombly neighborhood and South parent Renee Jakubowski has started conducting her own survey, going door to door trying to gather information on how many kids could go to Trombly. During the meeting, Tuttle said that she would look into using Jakubowki’s information. During public comment Jakubowki expressed her concern that the district’s survey will take longer than the community expects.
“I think that you [the board] should not force these families to endure another gut punch by waiting a year for a survey,” Jakubowski said. Later adding, “Please do not force them to wait two years before their kids are again jumbled all over [to different schools].”
Throughout the meeting, it was clear that the Trombly parents and neighbors to the school would like to see the school operational again for GPPSS. In an email written to a Trombly community member, Board President Sean Cotton wrote about his thoughts on the advancement of the school.
“The loss of Poupard is a tragedy and a significant blow to Harper Woods—a decision that is both detrimental and irreversible,” Cotton wrote. “That transaction is final, and sadly, there will never be an elementary school there again. We cannot afford to repeat that mistake with Trombly. Closing more schools, cutting programs, or selling properties is not a sustainable solution for our district. It diminishes the appeal of our community, limits opportunities for growth, and undermines the very foundation of what makes Grosse Pointe special.”
Some community members have warned the board about the possibility of reopening Trombly damaging the district moving forward. Grosse Pointe Farms resident Wendy Soubel voiced her worry that the district would not be making a fiscally responsible decision by reopening the elementary school.
“If we spend $6-9 million to reopen Trombly, regardless of which funds are tapped, what other building, facilities and technology needs will go unmet?” Soubel said. “Are they more or less important to the district as a whole, than reopening a school?”
During public comment, many expressed their concern that other school’s needs will be neglected if funds are not allocated appropriately.
“For me personally, I’d like to know that my granddaughter is going to have an excellent public education experience, not just K through fourth, but all the way through 12th grade,” Soubel said.
