On Pointe is your go-to podcast for thoughtful conversations about the issues shaping life in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. We tackle topics that matter most to our community — from school board decisions and promoting academic excellence in our classrooms to ensuring fiscal responsibility in local governance. Each episode brings you insightful discussions, in-depth analysis, and engaging interviews with community members, leaders, and changemakers. Whether you’re a parent, resident, or simply passionate about our city’s future, On Pointe keeps you informed, connected, and part of the conversation.
With the GPPSS Board of Education election approaching, Kevin Nugent and Joe Muzingo take a closer look at what is at stake for the district and the community.
The conversation focuses on board transparency, decision-making, fiscal responsibility, institutional experience, and the importance of independent voices at the board table. They discuss why Pointers for Academic Excellence has endorsed Ginny Jeup, Walter Fitzpatrick, and Jake Howlett, and why they believe each would bring a different strength to the board.
The episode also examines concerns about the current board majority, including process, public engagement, and the handling of major decisions, while looking ahead to the challenges the next board will face in supporting Superintendent Roy Bishop, maintaining financial stability, protecting neighborhood schools, and keeping students at the center of district priorities.
18 Sept 2026
On Pointe Candidate Series: Jake Howlett
In this installment of On Pointe, Kevin Nugent and Joe Muzingo sit down with GPPSS Board of Education candidate Jake Howlett for a wide-ranging conversation about his background, his connection to Grosse Pointe Public Schools, and why he decided to run for the board.
Howlett, a Grosse Pointe South graduate and attorney, discusses the experiences he believes he would bring to board service, his emphasis on thoughtful and collaborative decision-making, and the importance of keeping students at the center of district priorities. The conversation also touches on financial stewardship, supporting and retaining excellent teachers, community trust, technology, and how board members can work through disagreement without losing sight of the schools they serve. His public campaign materials similarly emphasize student success, responsible use of resources, and respectful collaboration.
This episode is part of Pointers for Academic Excellence’s 2026 candidate series, giving community members an opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking three seats on the GPPSS Board of Education.
21 Jul 2026
Ep. 5 On Pointe: The 2026-27 Budget
Trustee Sean Cotton joins Kevin Nugent and Joe Muzingo to examine the June 22 GPPSS budget meeting, including salary assumptions, omitted contract costs, first-read approvals, the finance committee debate, and broader concerns about transparency and board process.
When public money, personnel, and policy are at stake, is the board giving the community a meaningful voice?
#GPPSS #GrossePointe #SchoolBoard #EducationPolicy #PublicEducation #LocalGovernment
29 Jun 2026
Ep. 4 On Pointe: Unpacking the WeGP Event at Grosse Pointe Schools
🎙️ On Point Podcast – Episode Description
In this episode of On Point, Kevin Nugent and Joe Muzingo sit down with school board trustee Sean Cotton for a candid conversation about the recent WeGP Pride event held on Grosse Pointe Public School property—and the national attention it's drawn.
We start by unpacking what actually happened: a community march that started near an elementary school and ended with a drag performance in an elementary school parking lot, and the viral images of children exchanging money with performers that followed. From there, we explore the bigger questions it raises about judgment, oversight, and who's accountable when an outside group's event becomes tied to the district's public image.
The conversation turns to the disconnect between the district's official "we just rented the space" statement and board members who've since voiced personal support for the event—and what that mixed messaging signals about leadership. We also dig into the facility-use policy itself, including calls for greater transparency around which groups get approved to use school property, what they pay, and why the rules differ for nonprofit versus for-profit renters.
Finally, we step back to consider the broader risk: how moments like this can pull a school system into national culture-war debates it never asked to join, and what it might mean for enrollment, trust, and the community's relationship with the district going forward.
👉 Whether you're a parent, educator, or community member, this episode offers insight, context, and conversation on an issue that's hit close to home in Grosse Pointe.
🎧 Tune in, stay informed, and join the conversation.
27 Mar 2026
Ep. 3 On Pointe: Leadership, Policy, and the Future of Grosse Pointe Schools
🎙️ On Pointe Podcast – Episode Description
In this episode of On Pointe, we take a deep dive into some of the most pressing issues facing the Grosse Pointe Public School System and surrounding community.
We begin with an inside look at the superintendent selection process, exploring concerns around transparency and community engagement. How does the current approach compare to past hiring practices—and what lessons can be learned?
From there, we examine the impact of new policies on community programs, including how strategic planning decisions are shaping the future of neighborhood schools. With growing concerns over potential school closures and consolidation, we break down what these changes could mean for families, students, and the broader community.
We also revisit evolving educational models, questioning whether current strategies are aligned with long-term success. The conversation then shifts to the role of local politics in Grosse Pointe Park, and how it intersects with school leadership and decision-making.
Plus, we address questions surrounding the Grosse Pointe Education Association and its role in shaping district outcomes.
And to close things out, we lighten things up with a look ahead to the 2026 Winter Olympics—and what it means for the future of sports and global competition.
👉 Whether you’re a parent, educator, or community member, this episode offers insight, context, and conversation on the issues that matter most in Grosse Pointe.
🎧 Tune in, stay informed, and join the conversation.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.3 / 5
3 ratings
Contact On Pointe
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of On Pointe?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
