But Lubinsky added she believes a judge will dismiss the lawsuit. This ad will close automatically in 15 seconds. Wisconsin law says a district can decide itselfwhether to provide instruction related to human growth and development. 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. ", 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.". The District will also be hiring for several other key positions in the coming months, including a Director of Instruction, Director of Student Success and Director of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as a School Performance Data Coordinator, Behavioral Specialist, Grant Specialist and Academic Specialists. THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. I'm an attorney, but more importantly, a proud husband, father, coach, and 25-year Wauwatosa resident. 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. The school board violated open meetings laws, a board member. Means as the next superintendent of the Wauwatosa School District. The legislation failed to pass in the last session. "At this time, no plan exists to modify practices related to meeting attendance or public comment. His ideas, interests, and opinions would be a welcomed addition to the team. It was done by an attorney at a law firm in Waukesha. "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. 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. Pinion brings to this role more than 18 years of expertise in supporting the physical, emotional and behavioral needs of others. The District followed a robust screening and interview process to ensure stakeholder voice was reflected in the final decision. Doman. They were countered by numerous people claiming to be medical professionals from the Milwaukee community who said supporting the internal desires surrounding sexuality and gender identity of younger individuals is "dangerous.". These verified complaints were reviewed by Milwaukee Countys Corporation Counsel, and it was determined that the Wauwatosa Board of Education did not violate state law. For the Chief positions, again, two interview teams were developed for each role. For months, former and current board members Mike Meier and Mary Jo Randall publicly questioned the contract. Some residents and groups pushed back against the plan, but the school board ultimately voted to approve the changes. The board eventually voted to split with AVID and Bowers, paying Bowers six figures to walk away in January 2022. Parents. 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. State law also says parents can opt their child out of that instruction. The final candidates participated in an interview with Superintendent Dr. Demond Means and at least one member of the Wauwatosa Board of Education. Contact Us, Take the next step, become a member. 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. In yet another example of rising tension over what children hear in class, a Wauwatosa School Board member has sued the board on which he serves in an attempt to stop the implementation of a recently passed sexual education curriculum with lessons starting as early as kindergarten. The day after FOX6's story aired, members of the public went to the school board meeting with concerns about transparency and school safety, asking for Doman's resignation. Im an attorney, but more importantly, a proud husband, father, coach, and 25-year Wauwatosa resident. Its really hard, many of us support the curriculum, and still do," said Goldmann. Similarly, the start of this new school year has seen three large fights, one including a gun, all occurring within a one-month span. Demond Means, the districts superintendent, said the curriculum was guided by theNational Sex Education Standards. 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. Wauwatosa School District is a school district in Wisconsin . 2023 FOX Television Stations, 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, Downtown Waukesha business owner raped, man charged gets $2M bond. Board member addresses are public, for the purpose of verifying elected leaders live in the areas they represent. 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. 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. I feel like our community is taking a big step in doing this, Robertstad said. If you miss that, in-person voting is Tuesday, April 4th. Doman resigned in Maybecause he said he received a threat against him and his family. School board meetings have increasingly become the site of heightened politicization, scrutiny and harassment of board members and their actions. ", We met the Zollicoffer family back when the boys went to Madison Elementary. 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 and other community members. 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. He then served as Underfilling Assistant Principal before joining the Wauwatosa School District in 2020 as Associate Principal of Longfellow Middle School. Dr. Marble states, As a community member and parent of students in the Wauwatosa School District, I know that academic excellence for all students is a top priority. Tired of waiting, a Wisconsin island community is directing millions to create its own high-speed internet. I am invested in WSD and as a school board member I will promote thoughtful policy and compliance, the backbones of a well-functioning and effective board. From Madison to Whitman to Tosa West, Mike is very invested in the success of Wauwatosa schools and the growth and success of all of the kids in Wauwatosa. Image by Wokandapix on Pixabay. 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. A district documentsaid that curriculum must be reviewed every three years per a school board policy. 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. We did not hear back. 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. Help us share the knowledge by buying a gift subscription. In the 2018-19 school year, the district received a Department of Public Instruction score of 79.7 out of 100 the second-highest score the district had ever received. The next Wauwatosa School Board meeting is set for March 6. The update addresses anatomy, as students will learn how bodies change and grow.. The new curriculum, developed over10 months, will feature lessons as early as kindergarten. As Evers seeks billions for schools, some districts look to close schools amid declining aid and enrollment, Schools on the ballot: Referendum trends around the state, From grocery store shelves to restaurant menus, food prices 10 percent higher than a year ago, Report: Inflation Reduction Act could bring over 24K jobs to Wisconsin over next decade, Evers proposes $750M for broadband expansion amid massive federal investment in high-speed internet, Evers proposes $3.8B in state building projects. For elementary schools, updates to the curriculum would start as early as kindergarten, including added lessons on defining gender, gender roles, identifying medically proper names of body parts and learning about consent in an everyday context. Mike was one of the first to step up. I'll be taking some time away, said Wauwatosa Elementary School teacher Jake Daggett in an Instagram post. Parents are rightfully concerned after seeing several videos of fights in Wauwatosa schools. When elected to the Wauwatosa School Board, I will work with the community to ensure that our district is meeting the needs of all students and families - but we must do this with accountability.I will strive to realize the vision and goals of the board, while also being pragmatic about the district's resources, finding a balance to create an educational environment where all students can . Seat 3: Eric Jessup-Anger (inc.), Todd Dahlgren. Learn more. There were beat downs, as one Wauwatosa school board member told FOX6 News. 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. Need to report an error? My kids have kept me busy coaching for Jr Trojans Football and TBL Basketball. I am beyond excited to join a district with such a clear sense of community and commitment to all students, stated Mr. Pinion. Benefits Eligible: Yes. Having spent time with Mike, I know he has a solid grasp of the issues facing the district. Keep updated on the latest news and information. The police were called. 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 were seeing right now is an outcome of years of some other strategy," Meier said. Dr. All of this is happening as student performance has floundered since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic a trend that has plagued other districts as well. Wauwatosa School District Announces New Members of Leadership Team, Mr. Abdelmawla has more than six years of experience in educational leadership and classroom instruction. Following the Waukesha parade tragedy in late 2021, Mr. Pinion played a critical role in supporting students, families and staff within the district. We're pretty sure you're a member and you're definitely not signed in. ", FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ditch the ads, get free stuff. 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. MetaSearch is intended for research, information and reference purposes only. 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. The lawsuit also names past board president Steve Doman as a defendant. Mr. Abdelmawla received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. 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. Marble is a lifelong learner who is committed to achievement and equitable opportunities for all students. In 2021, the district learned that it had not been reviewed in 10 years, so they decided to initiate a new review process. Mike is a man of honor and integrity and we feel he would make a great candidate for the Wauwatosa School Board, serving our community. 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. Announcements. Two days later, he resigned. State law also says parents can opt their child out of that instruction. 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. Throughout his . "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. 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.. 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.". 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. The lawsuit also names past board president Steve Doman as a defendant. "I ask you all to consider asking him to resign from the school board," she continued. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. A member of the group who identified themselvesas a Mequon resident said that she came to Wauwatosa because she wanted to defend the innocence of kids in other districts. Wauwatosa, WI 53226. Two of the claims are centered around Doman's time as the school board president and the other three place blame on the current Wauwatosa School Board. Copyright © 2002 - var currentTime = new Date();var year = currentTime.getFullYear();document.write(year); Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. A district document said that curriculum must be reviewed every three years per a school board policy. The complaint, filed by Michael Meier, claims that the School Board violated Wisconsin open meetings laws five times from 2021 on and, in the case of the approved curriculum, would meet in secret to exclude Meier from conversations about the topic. After attendeesexpressed frustration with the number of non-Wauwatosa people speaking, the board eventually stipulated that individuals couldonly comment if theylive in the Wauwatosa community or have a student who attends a Wauwatosa school. Last year, Wisconsins Republican-controlled Legislature introduced multiple bills that centered on LGBTQ youth. 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. The Wauwatosa School District is located in Milwaukee County in southeastern Wisconsin.The county seat is Milwaukee.Milwaukee County was home to 957,735 residents in 2015, according to the United States Census Bureau. A statement from Wauwatosa school board president Eric Jessup-Anger said a prior verified complaint from Meier has already been reviewed by Milwaukee Countys Corporation Counsel, which determined the board "did not violate Wisconsin law regarding the open meetings at issue.". 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. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. The Wauwatosa School Board has appointed Dr. Eric Jessup-Anger to the vacant Seat #3, created by the resignation of Emily Kenney in August. Mr. Abdelmawla has more than six years of experience in educational leadership and classroom instruction. School Board Vice President Sharon Muelfeld and Superintendent Demond Means thanked Doman for his school board service. Paid for by Wauwatosa for Zirbes, Daniel Gugala for School Board, and Paid for by Mike Zollicoffer Jr. for Wauwatosa School Board. Follow himon Twitter at @Beck_Salgado. In 2021, the district learned that it had not been reviewed in 10 years, so they decided to initiate a new review process. 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. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more, Omaha, Nebraska, school board meetings were heaved into chaos. Copyright © 2002 - var currentTime = new Date();var year = currentTime.getFullYear();document.write(year); Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Seat 1: Mary Jo Randall, Jenny Hoag. Another protest was organized by a group called Moms for Liberty, a national organization that has chapters throughout the country. The curriculum was created by an internal committee and external committee and involved teachers, health care professionals, caregivers, students and a local clergy member. 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. 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. That same school board member is now calling for an independent investigation into the fighting. In the lawsuit, Meier claims the board is controlled by a "faction.". 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