I am beyond excited to join a district with such a clear sense of community and commitment to all students, stated Mr. Pinion. In emails, Doman admitted the open records conversation happened during closed session, which open government attorneys say appears to be a violation of the law. In a trend that started in 2021, and has come to define the start of the 2022-23 school year, the Wauwatosa school district has endured a spate of disciplinary issues while also seeing increased political tensions affect board members and teachers. MetaSearch Notice. "I believe this is the first time in my 25-year legal career that I have been providing legal advice to a board when my adversary is in the room," Lubinsky said. He is a veteran administrator who has a reputation for bringing people together and maintaining a gentle, encouraging presence. He also received an Endorsement for English as a Second Language from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. After narrowing down the candidate pool to two per school, Superintendent Dr. Demond Means and members of the Wauwatosa Board of Education conducted final interviews. Wauwatosa, WI 53226. The claims include violations such as unnoticed content, unnoticed appointments and in multiple cases exclusionary behavior while planning. The curriculum was created by an internal committee and external committee and involved teachers, health care professionals, caregivers, students and a local clergy member. He then served as Underfilling Assistant Principal before joining the Wauwatosa School District in 2020 as Associate Principal of Longfellow Middle School. Voting is incredibly convenient, pop over to Wauwatosa City Hall 3/21-3/24 and 3/27-3/31 from 8-4:30. But Board PresidentEric Jessup-Angersaid that after the 10-month process the curriculum had already gone through, he didnt know what else the board could hear that it hasn't heard already. In Portland and Omaha, Nebraska, school board meetings were heaved into chaos after similar human growth and development curriculums were either passed or proposed, and in nearby Brookfield parents blamed politics after seven books were removed from a school district's library. Should the need arise, we will work in partnership with the Wauwatosa Police Department to ensure the safety of all school board meeting attendees," the district said in an email. The district was the 17th-largest school district in the state in the 2013-2014 school year and served 7,204 students.. Higher education achievement Image by Wokandapix on Pixabay. I am excited to bring my knowledge and skill set to a larger school district for the dual purpose of improving the experiences of employees and supporting the success of all students," said Zelazoski. Candidates participated in panel interviews with each team, which consisted of a candidate presentation followed by a question and answer session. She brings more than 14 years of progressively-responsible experience to this role, including eight years as a classroom teacher and member of school leadership committees in Mukwonago, two years as Associate Principal of Wauwatosa East High School, two years as Principal of Madison Elementary School and two years as Director of Secondary Education for the Wauwatosa School District. Seat 1: Mary Jo Randall, Jenny Hoag. It was done by an attorney at a law firm in Waukesha. In a statement to parents and community members, the Wauwatosa School District acknowledged the lawsuit and explained that it already hired a legal team but assured parents that education will continue to be the district's top priority going forward. Follow himon Twitter at@Beck_Salgado. Meier told FOX6 News parents and staff have been calling since last year about fighting. He has proven success in building teams and strong, collaborative relationships; creating safe and inclusive environments for learning; and integrating technology and learning adaptation strategies into the educational environment. "The Wauwatosa School District prioritizes employee retention, diversity, and inclusion, which aligns perfectly with my values. The school board also called a special meeting Monday night to discuss the details of the lawsuit and the district's plan going forward. Dr. Search results are not intended as legal advice for you or your organization and are not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction. Doman did not elaborate on the contents of the email he received; he has not responded to FOX6's messages. The most significant claim is predicated upon the events leading up to the passing of the human growth and development plan, during which Meier has claimed that board members used a survey data scrubbing process to misrepresent the results of a public survey about the curriculum. He coached with the program for 5 years. Announcements. Family . In this Wednesday, July 12, 2017 photo, Sandra Collins, executive director and founder of enGender, reads a book to campers at the Bay Area Rainbow Day Camp in El Cerrito, Calif.Jeff Chiu/AP Photo. In one instance in 2021, former school board president Doman decided to resign from the board after receiving an email that he said made him feel threatened. Although the group does not have a chapter in Milwaukee or Waukesha counties, it does have chapters in nearby Ozaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties. She told FOX6 she needed his address to file a verified an open meetings complaint with the district attorney regarding the board's closed session discussion of public records. In the latest DPI report card, the district received a score of 72.4, the lowest score the district had ever received. WAUWATOSA, Wis. - Wauwatosa School Board President Steve Doman abruptly resigned Wednesday, claiming he received an email he "can only perceive as a threat" to his family's safety. In an email Thursday, in which he copied Means, Meier wrote: "Dr. Means shared with me that the resignation had something to do with someone's address request.". The Wauwatosa Police Department said Friday they haven't received a report or complaint yet from Doman regarding the threat. Before the school board meeting,multiple demonstrations took place outside the district office. Location: 1055 N Mayfair Rd. "But it is just frustrating when outside groups are making school board meetings about politics when they should be about our kids.". This is the worst it has ever been. Seat 2: Michael Meier (inc.), Austin Jensen. Jenny Hoag is a Tosa parent, community member, and pediatric psychologist. While it is true that Mr. Meier could have participated in the Google document, he believes that the participation in the Google document would have been a violation of the open meetings law, Cross said. In an email to parents, the principal said it started as an argument between a parent and a group of students. The updated curriculum will be implemented in the 2022-23 school year. Wauwatosa, WI On Monday, May 9, 2022, the Wauwatosa School District Board of Education approved Superintendent Dr. Demond Means' recommendation to appoint the following members of its leadership team: Ms. Gwendolyn Husslein has been named Director of Finance within the Division of Operations and Finance. The District followed a robust screening and interview process to ensure stakeholder voice was reflected in the final decision. During a special meeting to discuss the lawsuit on Monday, Lori Lubinsky, an attorney for the district, said the move by Meier to sue his own school board was "unusual.". The school board has acknowledged that the survey was adjusted, but only to better represent the opinions of Wauwatosa residents after the poll was posted on external websites where people across the country could vote on a local matter. Mike was one of the first to step up. Mr. Abdelmawla served in the United States Army before launching his career in education at the Golda Meir School in Milwaukee, where he spent several years delivering classroom instruction before moving into the role of School Culture and Climate Specialist and, simultaneously, High School Athletic Director. Because of this, we believe Mike will be a great addition to the Wauwatosa School Board and are proud to support him. He also said the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has identified those standards as the foundation for school districtsdeveloping human growth and development curriculum, including teachings about gender identity. Wauwatosa School District is a school district in Wisconsin . ", Another woman said she was concerned about reducing the school district's legal liability, saying: "The only way I think we can do that is by removing President Doman.". I believe this role will provide a great opportunity for growth both personally, and for the larger school community., Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. You must be an Urban Milwaukee member to leave a comment. ", FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. A district documentsaid that curriculum must be reviewed every three years per a school board policy. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Mike Meier alleges the board violated open meeting policies. When updates become available, they will be provided by legal counsel in open session at public School Board meetings, the statement from Jessup-Anger read. The lawsuit asks that the changes to the curriculum be rescinded because it alleges members of the board made changes to the policy on a shared Google account and not in a public meeting before the final vote on the curriculum. Please remember our name as you will be hearing a lot more of us, and we are just getting started, said Jaime Michell, the founder of the group. "They are doing things illegal, behind closed doors, that they dont want us to know about," one man said, referencing the school board's closed session open records conversation. He has been a resident of Wauwatosa since 1988 and has a BA in Political Science from UW-La Cross, a JD from the University of Michigan Law School, and an MBA from UW-Madison. Mike was passionate about player development, on and off the field. 2023 FOX Television Stations, statement which can be read on the district website, Cashay Henderson Milwaukee's 3rd Black trans woman killed in 9 months, Zachariah Anderson murder trial: Arguments over possible 2nd mistrial, Bayshore collapse a complete failure, former snow removal company says, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K, Milwaukee antique mall's 'racist' items draw criticism. Former board member Mary Jo Randall sent FOX6 the email she sent Doman Wednesday morning, asking for his home address. Some residents and groups pushed back against the plan, but the school board ultimately voted to approve the changes. Having lived in Wauwatosa for 22 years, I've seen first hand the many challenges a school district can face. My career has taught me how to listen, negotiate, problem-solve and get results. On Thursday, the Wauwatosa School District sent a message to families announcing Doman's resignation, quoting him as saying: "It has been my privilege to serve the School District of Wauwatosa for the last five years, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished.". Mike Meier alleges open meetings violation in approval of gender identity curriculum. The Wauwatosa School Board has come under some scrutiny in recent months after an internal investigation found that a former Wauwatosa school district administrator had violated the board's conflict of interest policy. Throughout the years we became friends as well as neighbors. Have questions? MetaSearch is intended for research, information and reference purposes only. 218 likes. In these roles, Mrs. Zelazoski has increased teacher retention by 8%, increased employer net promoter scores (eNPS) by 58 points and increased employee racial/ethnic diversity by 4%. There were beat downs, as one Wauwatosa school board member told FOX6 News. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more, Omaha, Nebraska, school board meetings were heaved into chaos. Beck Andrew Salgadocan be reached atBsalgado@gannett.com. Lubinsky also mentioned that in 25 years of practicing law she had never seen a situation where a member of a board sued that same board. One bill that was introducedwould require schools to inform parents and guardians when they provide a program related to gender, gender expression, gender identity or sexual orientation. WAUWATOSA, Wis. - Wauwatosa School Board President Steve Doman abruptly resigned Wednesday, claiming he received an email he "can only perceive as a threat" to his family's safety. The lawsuit also names past board president Steve Doman as a defendant. Lets restore trust in the school board. The school board meeting attracted a multitude of community memberseager to voice their opinions. Copyright © 2002 - var currentTime = new Date();var year = currentTime.getFullYear();document.write(year); Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. When asked about increased security and the possibility of new rules for public comment, the Wauwatosa School District said there is no plan to implement such changes. Keep updated on the latest news and information. Elsewhere in the district, individuals have been the subject of harassment. The legislation failed to pass in the last session. I am excited to bring my knowledge and skill set to a larger school district for the dual purpose of improving the experiences of employees and supporting the success of all students," said Zelazoski. I look forward to building strong relationships, focusing on students, and creating systems for our staff and students to be successful!, Mrs. Sarah Zelazoski will serve as the Districts Chief of Talent leading the Division of Human Resources. "I ask you all to consider asking him to resign from the school board," she continued. Wisconsin law says a district can decide itselfwhether to provide instruction related to human growth and development. Mrs. Zelazoski has more than 21 years of experience working in education, and more than 17 years of experience serving in a Human Resources role. The principal's email said the students involved will face discipline according to the district's disciplinary framework. As he contemplated a transition to his preferred gender, he said, he received no education or information from the school district about what he was experiencing. By eighth grade, middle schoolers would have learned about different gender identities, sexual orientations, sexual activities and how social relationships are influenced by all of those things. There is video from Wauwatosa West High School last September. The school district says it will have a meeting to determine the process and timeline for filling Doman's school board seat, but did not announce a date. In the past few years, from wasteful spending to unethical relationships, our treasured school district has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Family . After learning what FOX6 uncovered, the district put Bowers on leave, launched an investigation and called the police. Our Services may display content that does not belong to Emerald Data Solutions or its affiliates. If you are an existing member, sign-in to leave a comment. Mrs. Zelazoski earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and completed the Human Resources Management Professional Development Program at the University of Wisconsin - Stout. THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. Meier says he called the police because he did not know if Doman was referencing any other emails that could have been threatening. Mike was one of the first to step up. Each of these individuals are truly the best fit to lead their respective teams and support Dr. Means as we continue to enhance the public school system in Wauwatosa., Mr. Tahir Abdelmawla has been named Principal at Underwood Elementary School. The district said the percentage of instructional time students will be taught the curriculum will range from 1 percent for high school students, to 0.2 percent for kindergarten students. He has proven success in building teams and strong, collaborative relationships; creating safe and inclusive environments for learning; and integrating technology and learning adaptation strategies into the educational environment. The Wauwatosa School Board did an independent investigation in 2013 regarding bullying complaints at an elementary school. Ill bring these same skills to the table to help elevate our school district. This content is the sole responsibility of the entity that makes it available. Become a member for $9/month. Such feedback provided directly to the Wauwatosa School Board ( whose members email addresses and phone numbers can be found on the District's website here) is in reality the only way for such hyper-sexualized curriculum to be stopped. She is a member of the Wisconsin Association of School Personnel Administrators and served as President of the association from 2013 to 2016. A Wauwatosa school board member who hopes to rescind the district's updated human growth and development curriculum is now suing the school board he serves on, alleging the board broke open meeting laws while working on adoption of the curriculum. The lawsuit names Steve Doman and the Wauwatosa School Board as the defendants and claims five violations of Wisconsin open meetings laws that date as far back as December 2021. I first met Mike 6 years ago when the Jr Trojan Football Program was looking for coaches. I am looking forward to joining the Jefferson team as we find new ways to engage students in learning, embrace new challenges, and empower our students to take ownership of their learning., Dr. Nicole Marble will serve as the Chief Academic Officer and will lead the Division of Academic Performance. has identified those standards as the foundation for school districts, Wisconsin law says a district can decide itself, Superior School Board upholds decision allowing gender identity to be taught to fifth graders, Wisconsin districts face backlash over plans to teach gender identity to elementary students. The lawsuit alleges this violated open meeting laws because the board made public decisions in a closed setting. I believe this is the first time in my 25-year legal career that I have been providing legal advice to a board when my adversary is in the room, Lubinsky said. Ill work with all parties to come up with common-sense solutions that help our district flourish. The curriculum's approval process proved that Wauwatosa is no exception to the rising toxicity in school board meetings as various meetings have been targeted, before and after the approval of the curriculum, by right-wing groups from outside communities such as Moms for Liberty and Gays Against Groomers. The dispute is yet another example of an ongoing culture war nationwide regarding what children are taught in schools when it comes to gender and sexuality, as many conservatives have pushed for legislation to restrict what educators can and cannot teach. Whether it be Mike's professional or personal life, he has a vested interest in making the Wauwatosa community, especially the schools, a place he wants to continue to flourish in a positive direction., As a long-time next-door neighbor turned family friend, we have known Mike and his family for over 17 years. Throughout my interactions with members of the Jefferson community I have been able to see the strong sense of community and pride in the school. Cross said Meier decided not to make changes on the Google account because he believed he would've violated open meeting laws. Throughout his career, Mr. Brightman has earned a reputation as a thoughtful, analytical and strategic thinker who is well-respected across the state of Wisconsin. A district document said that curriculum must be reviewed every three years per a school board policy. He cast the only opposing vote to the curriculum. high schools named among "America's Most Challenging", Whitman Middle School STEM Team Competes, Wins Special Award at Future City Nationals Competition, Wauwatosa German Students Excel on National German Exam, BLOG: School Growth + Our Principal Heroes, Wauwatosa West Trojan Dance Team Defends State Championship Hip Hop Title at 2023 State Competition, Wauwatosa High School Students Display Talents, Receive Recognition for Visual Arts, School Board Meetings Live Video Stream - March 6, 2023, Family Infinite Campus Account Instructions, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). To support him were heaved into chaos Meier alleges open meetings violation in approval gender... Omaha, Nebraska, school board, '' she continued any other emails that could have been since. And commitment to all students, stated Mr. Pinion provide instruction related to human and... 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