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.". He obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Education degree from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, where he also received NASP Accreditation to serve as an Education Specialist in School Psychology. 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. He then served as Underfilling Assistant Principal before joining the Wauwatosa School District in 2020 as Associate Principal of Longfellow Middle School. 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 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. right-wing groups from outside communities such as Moms for Liberty and Gays Against Groomers. "The Wauwatosa School District prioritizes employee retention, diversity, and inclusion, which aligns perfectly with my values. For months, former and current board members Mike Meier and Mary Jo Randall publicly questioned the contract. His ideas, interests, and opinions would be a welcomed addition to the team. I am eagerly looking forward to learning from and with the Underwood community for years to come., Mr. Keith Brightman, MSE, SFO, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer and will lead the Division of Finance and Operations. I look forward to working collectively to support the students, staff, and community in continuing to make Wauwatosa a great place to learn, work, and live., Mr. Stephen Kern has been appointed as the Principal of Jefferson Elementary School. That same school board member is now calling for an independent investigation into the fighting. The updated curriculum will be implemented in the 2022-23 school year. He then served as Underfilling Assistant Principal before joining the Wauwatosa School District in 2020 as Associate Principal of Longfellow Middle School. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Daily Announcements 2022-2023. 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. The final candidates participated in an interview with Superintendent Dr. Demond Means and at least one member of the Wauwatosa Board of Education. We're pretty sure you're a member and you're definitely not signed in. MetaSearch Notice. School Board Vice President Sharon Muelfeld and Superintendent Demond Means thanked Doman for his school board service. The district and school board confirmed they've retained legal counsel to represent themselves in the matter. 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, Mr. Stephen Kern, Jefferson Elementary School Principal, Dr. Nicole Marble, Chief Academic Officer, Mr. Luke Pinion, Chief of Pupil and Family Supports, We are confident in the appointment of these experienced professionals. 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 committees strived to create a curriculum that would be acceptable to the whole community. Ill bring these same skills to the table to help elevate our school district. The next Wauwatosa School Board meeting is set for March 6. Dr. Marble is a lifelong learner who is committed to achievement and equitable opportunities for all students. Schedule Details/Additional Information: This position is based at the clinic in Wauwatosa (1055 N Mayfair Rd) but also includes rotations to the Good Hope Milwaukee - (3003 W Good Hope Rd) and Germantown South (W180N11070 River Ln) Clinics. ", FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. Meier wants an independent investigation into the fighting. 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. Mr. Pinion also completed the Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Program at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Michael Meier, a school board member, filed a suit against the board of education on November 23 that alleges violations of the Open Meetings Act and constitutional rights. Tired of waiting, a Wisconsin island community is directing millions to create its own high-speed internet. Mr. Kern is an experienced principal with a demonstrated history of success in education. But Lubinsky added she believes a judge will dismiss the lawsuit. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Wauwatosa School Board has named Dr. Demond A. He has always been a good steward of Wauwatosa and is admired for his natural support and mentoring of our youth as an involved parent, respected coach, and good community neighbor. Having spent time with Mike, I know he has a solid grasp of the issues facing the district. A suggestion by Meier to create a new curriculum for the students of parents who disliked the updated one failed, 5-2. Throughout his . This school district is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. "When updates become available, they will be provided by legal counsel in open session at public School Board meetings," the statement read. He is a veteran administrator who has a reputation for bringing people together and maintaining a gentle, encouraging presence. To accommodate the larger-than-normal crowds, multiple rooms were opened. 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 students in our district deserve the best education available, that's why we need a renewed focus on academics. I am eagerly looking forward to learning from and with the Underwood community for years to come., Mr. Brightman is a Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations (SFO), and brings more than 20 years of robust financial experience to this role, having served in several districts in southeastern Wisconsin including the School District of Elmbrook and, most recently, Menomonee Falls. Although the group does not have a chapter in Milwaukee or Waukesha counties, it does have chapters in nearby Ozaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties. Tired of seeing banner ads on Urban Milwaukee? Contact Us, Take the next step, become a member. Comments (-1) more . Regarding the principalship, Mr. Kern states, I am honored to be joining Jefferson Elementary School. In a recent board meeting, both Moms for Liberty and Gays Against Groomers held demonstrations in a scene that ended with heated exchanges, a police presence and a 10-year-old in tears. Beck Andrew Salgadocan be reached atBsalgado@gannett.com. As a community, I know that we will continue to provide all of our students the enriching academic and social experience they deserve. The District followed a robust screening and interview process to ensure stakeholder voice was reflected in the final decision. Paid for by Wauwatosa for Zirbes, Daniel Gugala for School Board, and Paid for by Mike Zollicoffer Jr. for Wauwatosa School Board. That's when concerns around open meeting laws were brought forward by Meier and past board member Mary Jo Randall, centered around open records requests related to that incident. "We need an independent investigation to see what the practice has been. "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. Mr. Pinion also completed the Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Program at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Having lived in Wauwatosa for 22 years, I've seen first hand the many challenges a school district can face. Schedule: 1.0/Days - Monday-Friday 730a-4p, Rotation to cover St. Joseph or other Ascension sites as needed. I look forward to working collectively to support the students, staff, and community in continuing to make Wauwatosa a great place to learn, work, and live., Mr. Kern is an experienced principal with a demonstrated history of success in education. In the lawsuit, Meier claims the board is controlled by a faction.. Most Wisconsin students can't vote. Comments (-1) Student Handbook 2022-23. The lawsuit also names past board president Steve Doman as a defendant. 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. The Wauwatosa School Board is a policy and governance board. That came after some community members called for his resignation because of how the board handled the conflict of interest situation. Two days later, he resigned. 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. Meier says he called the police because he did not know if Doman was referencing any other emails that could have been threatening. 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. His experience includes six years in an assistant principal role in the Kenosha Unified School District, and 21 years serving as a principal at the elementary and middle school levels in School District 54 in Schaumburg, Illinois. Dr. Marble has also served as an adjunct professor at Marquette University since June 2021. 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.". THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. 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. I am extremely honored and privileged to be joining the Underwood team, Abdelmawla stated. My kids have kept me busy coaching for Jr Trojans Football and TBL Basketball. The legislation failed to pass in the last session. It will be a continued honor to work with our educators, students, caregivers, and greater community to enhance students' learning experiences and achievement outcomes., Mr. Luke Pinion has been appointed as Chief of Pupil and Family Supports and will serve as the leader of the Division of Student and Family Supports. Become a member for $9/month. 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. Wauwatosa, WI 53226. Doman stepped down two days after calls for his resignation during the public comment portion of Monday night's school board meeting. Wisconsin law says a district can decide itselfwhether to provide instruction related to human growth and development. Beck Andrew Salgadocan be reached at 512-568-4070or Bsalgado@gannett.com. That same night, in a 5-2 secret-ballot vote, Wauwatosa School Board re-elected Doman as board president. I also take great pride in my previous work as a mentor/crisis stabilizer for at-risk youth, skill-building to achieve their personal goals and help them make healthier decisions. I've seen his commitment and desire in his personal life and have no doubt he will bring that passion to the school board! 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. Some residents and groups pushed back against the plan, but the school board ultimately voted to approve the changes. This is Meiers third attempt to have the curriculum shut down. In an email to Superintendent Demond Means on Wednesday night, Doman wrote: "I received an email today that I can only perceive as a threat to the safety of myself and my family. Ballotpedia covers public school districts in the 100 largest cities in America by population, as well as the 200 largest public school districts by student enrollment. Why is there a long line of railcars parked on the tracks near Spooner? He also received an Endorsement for English as a Second Language from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. School board meetings have increasingly become the site of heightened politicization, scrutiny and harassment of board members and their actions. 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. But Lubinsky added she believes a judge will dismiss the lawsuit. School Board Meetings Live Video Stream - Feb. 20, 2023; School Board Meeting Agendas & Policies; Canvas LMS. Mike Zollicoffer has the leadership skills and the passion for child development to be a member of the Wauwatosa School Board., "Mike is a person I've known since our kids were in kindergarten at Madison Elementary, 12 years ago. Mike Meier alleges the board violated open meeting policies. 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. decided to resign from the board after receiving an email that he said made him feel threatened. 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 has served stakeholders in several southeastern Wisconsin districts including Milwaukee Public School District, Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District and, most recently, the School District of Waukesha. 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