Grosse Pointe Public School Board trustee Ahmed Ismail is in violation of Board bylaw 0144.3 Conflict of Interest. This Bylaw states that “Board members shall perform their official duties in a manner free from conflict of interest” and “No Board member shall use his/her position as a Board member to benefit either himself/herself or any other individual or agency apart from the total interest of the School District To this end.” Using his position, Mr. Ismail routinely gains access to school functions (sporting events, concerts, theatrical productions for the sole purpose of plying his profession as a photographer. He then publishes said photos on his business Facebook page without expressed written permission of parents/guardians per Board Policy 8330 Student Records. This policy states that “Student records shall be available only to students and their parents, eligible students, and designated school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the information, or to other individuals or organizations as permitted by law.” The policy state that release of directory information will be “In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA"), each year the Superintendent shall provide public notice, in writing or electronically, to students and their parents of the District's intent to make available, upon request, certain information known as directory information." There is no record that Mr. Ismail makes such a request, and there is scant evidence that such as request would be honored, unless he invokes his position as trustee. Finally, in violation of 0167.5 Use of Electronic Mail, Mr. Ismail uses a business email address rather than District sponsored email in direct violation of this policy. It can only be inferred that he does so willingly as to promote his portrait business.
Because he flaunts District Bylaws and Policy in favor of his own interests, we urge you to boycott Mr. Ismail’s place of business and to sign this petition to force his compliance with the policy and bylaws he swore to uphold in his oath of office.