Follow himon Twitter at @Beck_Salgado. "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. I'll be taking some time away, said Wauwatosa Elementary School teacher Jake Daggett in an Instagram post. That came after some community members called for his resignation because of how the board handled the conflict of interest situation. It was at this meeting that Gays Against Groomers announced its intention to continue targeting school board meetings in Wisconsin as it does in states like Florida and California. What is unique about this claim is that it is the only alleged violation for which Meier is demanding administrative action as he seeks to stop the curriculum from being taught. Leaders expect it to keep growing. He is a veteran administrator who has a reputation for bringing people together and maintaining a gentle, encouraging presence. "What were seeing right now is an outcome of years of some other strategy," Meier said. The students in our district deserve the best education available, that's why we need a renewed focus on academics. His experience with the STEM program at Longfellow, in addition to his innate ability to connect with children, will serve him well in his role as Principal of Underwood Elementary School. FOX6 News reached out to all the other Wauwatosa School Board members and the superintendent. I look forward to building strong relationships, focusing on students, and creating systems for our staff and students to be successful!, 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. Wauwatosa schools issued a statement which can be read on the district website. As a 17-year resident of Wauwatosa, my kids have kept me busy coaching Junior Trojans football and TBL. more, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. We're pretty sure you're a member and you're definitely not signed in. Hours Per Week: 36. Help assure the future of citys fastest growing publication. Mr. Stephen Kern, Jefferson Elementary School . Using our Services does not give you ownership of any intellectual property rights in our Services or the content you may access. Voting is incredibly convenient, pop over to Wauwatosa City Hall 3/21-3/24 and 3/27-3/31 from 8-4:30. The lawsuit asks that the changes to the curriculum be rescinded because it alleges members of the board made changes to the policy on a shared Google account and not in a public meeting before the final vote on the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. Jenny Hoag for Wauwatosa School Board. Ive reviewed the facts and circumstances of the events that are at issue in this lawsuit and I feel very good about the board and Mr. Domans likelihood of prevailing in this lawsuit, she added. SEAT 6. Help us share the knowledge by buying a gift subscription. He's an excellent listener who, at the end of the day, will always do what's best for the students. Wauwatosa, WI 53226. 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 was the only school board member to vote against the update in August. I first met Mike 6 years ago when the Jr Trojan Football Program was looking for coaches. The 6-1 vote came late Monday as anxious attendees, spilling out of the crowded boardroom, awaited a decision after nearly four hours of discussion on the topic by students, teachers, caregivers. 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 updated curriculum will be implemented in the 2022-23 school year. State law also says parents can opt their child out of that instruction. "We need an independent investigation to see what the practice has been. Seat 2: Michael Meier (inc.), Austin Jensen. "I ask you all to consider asking him to resign from the school board," she continued. 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. 2022-23 At a Glance Calendar; Engagement Sessions; Enrollment; Family Technology Helpdesk; School Board. In August, the Superior School Board voted to uphold a decision rejecting a complaint from about 30 parents challenging a lesson plan that teaches gender identity to fifth grade students. The principal said three people involved were arrested. Because of this threat I can no longer serve in my capacity as a member of the Wauwatosa School Board so please accept this as my immediate resignation.". 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. ", "We cant have leadership like this," community member Deb Falk-Palec said during public comment. "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. Wauwatosa High School Students Display Talents, Receive Recognition for Visual Arts. She is a member of the Wisconsin Association of School Personnel Administrators and served as President of the association from 2013 to 2016. 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 2021, the district learned that it had not been reviewed in 10 years, so they decided to initiate a new review process. I am excited to join such a well-respected, dynamic district and team. 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. Doman resigned in Maybecause he said he received a threat against him and his family. Another protest was organized by a group called Moms for Liberty, a national organization that has chapters throughout the country. 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. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Changes to the curriculum in the Wauwatosa School District include teaching kids in kindergarten about gender roles, and lessons on gender identity for kids in the second grade. "The goal of teaching body science is to destigmatize the narrative about bodies and create a space for open and honest conversations," the document adds. The Wauwatosa School Board is a policy and governance board. In May 2022, an attorney for board member Mike Meier sent the school district a letter claiming the school board discussed a FOX6 public records request in secret. The recently approved sex ed curriculum in Wauwatosa Schools was once again thrust into the spotlight Tuesday after board member Michael Meier made a rare motion to rescind the curriculum. 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. Beck Andrew Salgadocan be reached at 512-568-4070or Bsalgado@gannett.com. Mr. Kern received a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Illinois University, and a Masters of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Not only was Mike a coach but he also was a teacher and a mentor. Mike was one of the first to step up. 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. ", FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. Regarding the principalship, Mr. Kern states, I am honored to be joining Jefferson Elementary School. Having lived in Wauwatosa for 22 years, I've seen first hand the many challenges a school district can face. The legal complaint is the latest event in what has become a protracted dispute over the curriculum that has drawn the attention of political groups, students and parents across the country. Throughout his . Tired of seeing banner ads on Urban Milwaukee? 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. Comments (-1) more . THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. Im an attorney, but more importantly, a proud husband, father, coach, and 25-year Wauwatosa resident. The lawsuit alleges this violated open meeting laws because the board made public decisions in a closed setting. Mr. Kern is an experienced principal with a demonstrated history of success in education. "The faction makes political decisions in secret and retaliates against anyone who challenges them by silencing the public and their elected representatives," the lawsuit said. Evan Casey . Wauwatosa, WI On Monday, March 14, 2022, the Wauwatosa School District Board of Education approved Superintendent Dr. Demond Means' recommendation to appoint the following members of its leadership team: Mr. Tahir Abdelmawla, Underwood Elementary School Principal Mr. Keith Brightman, Chief Financial Officer 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. 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). Mike was one of the first to step up. Mr. Brightman states, I have long recognized the Wauwatosa School District as one of the strongest in the state. She served as the Director of School - Community Programs and Coordinator of Human Resources/Community Programs in Antigo before taking on the role of Executive Director of Human Capital at the Mequon-Thiensville School District, where she has served for more than eight years. 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. The principal's email said the students involved will face discipline according to the district's disciplinary framework. Parents. Last year, Wisconsins Republican-controlled Legislature introduced multiple bills that centered on LGBTQ youth. He was the only board member to vote against its approval and in September Meier attempted to invoke a revote but the motion was not seconded and thus failed. Seat 3: Eric Jessup-Anger (inc.), Todd Dahlgren. Kelly Goldmann, a mother of two students in the Tosa school district, expressed immense frustration with the increased politicization of the district at a time when she feels the focus should be on students. Most Wisconsin students can't vote. It would also add picture books that present more diverse backgrounds. 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. State lawmakers try again to allow DACA recipients to become police officers in Wisconsin, Paul Ryan says he'll support 'anybody but Trump' in the 2024 presidential contest, Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. Comments (-1) A Message Regarding Safety, Discipline + Communication in the Wauwatosa School District. 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. An outcome of years of some other strategy, '' community member Deb Falk-Palec said public! The day, will always do what 's best for the students Talents, Receive for. Students involved will face discipline according to the district 's disciplinary framework Bsalgado @ gannett.com,... 2: Michael Meier ( inc. ), Austin Jensen to be joining Jefferson School... Alerts in the state some time away, said Wauwatosa Elementary School investigation. 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