This article will explain the series of events leading up to the resignation of former GHAPS school board member Barbra Pietrangelo. As a governing body, school boards are in charge of school districts. They are the boss of their one employee, the superintendent, who is in charge of all other employees of the school district. The school board sets the vision for the district and empowers the superintendent to execute that vision. When the school board hires an attorney, the attorney works for the school board. The school board is ultimately in charge, but that is not how things seem to actually work in Grand Haven as is evidenced by the following.
In late July and early August of 2022, the GHAPS board of education was working to determine what information would be released to the public regarding the forensic audit. According to the established hierarchy, the school board should have met to discuss and vote on what would be released to the public based on consultation provided by the superintendent, lawyer, other applicable parties.
In this case, however, it appears the board first met with the Superintendent Scott Grimes, their attorney, and a media company (King Media) to assist the board in drafting a statement which would be released to the public. When those assisting the board drafted the statement, it did not accurately reflect the input provided by the board. It was later revealed by the email below dated August 8, 2022, that the draft was written prior to the closed session which is why it did not accurately reflect the input provided by the board.
Then, at the August 15, 2022 board meeting Board President Carl Treutler announced he would be releasing a statement regarding the embezzlement to the press the following day. Board member Barbara Pietrangelo was outraged by this announcement as evidenced by the email she sent to Carl Treutler directly following the meeting. The emails state that the board had never voted on a finalized statement regarding the embezzlement to be released to the public.
Who made the decision to release the statement to the public? Who determined what would be included in the public statement?
Three days later Barbara Pietrangelo resigned.
- This email dated 7/28/2022 was sent by Barbara Pietrangelo to all board members independently. I have included the version she sent to Seth Holt as it is the only one with the PS note.