"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. Dr. Marble has also served as an adjunct professor at Marquette University since June 2021. He coached with the program for 5 years. A district documentsaid that curriculum must be reviewed every three years per a school board policy. I am excited to join such a well-respected, dynamic district and team. In 2021, a FOX6 investigation revealed Wauwatosa administrator Kristin Bowers encouraged the school district to contract with AVID, her husband's employer. The updated curriculum will be implemented in the 2022-23 school year. 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. 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.. Image by Wokandapix on Pixabay. 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. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Wauwatosa. A Wauwatosa school board member who hopes to rescind the districts 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. Board member addresses are public, for the purpose of verifying elected leaders live in the areas they represent. 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. 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. Evan Casey . Its really hard, many of us support the curriculum, and still do," said Goldmann. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News. 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. "The Wauwatosa School District prioritizes employee retention, diversity, and inclusion, which aligns perfectly with my values. 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. 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 also called a special meeting Monday night to discuss the details of the lawsuit and the district's plan going forward. "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. Cross said Meier decided not to make changes on the Google account because he believed he would've violated open meeting laws. Meier says he called the police because he did not know if Doman was referencing any other emails that could have been threatening. This is the worst it has ever been. "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. School Board Meetings Live Video Stream - Feb. 20, 2023; School Board Meeting Agendas & Policies; Canvas LMS. 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. 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. 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. Mr. Keith Brightman, Chief Financial Officer. In an email to parents, the principal said it started as an argument between a parent and a group of students. Have questions? 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. By high school, students would learn about abuse in relationships, safe sex, analyzing information on social media and a more thorough understanding of sexual orientation, gender and other social identities. Copyright © 2002 - var currentTime = new Date();var year = currentTime.getFullYear();document.write(year); Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Before the school board meeting,multiple demonstrations took place outside the district office. 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. 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. 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 . Two days later, he resigned. 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. 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. Mike was passionate about player development, on and off the field. 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 afteran internal investigation foundthat a former Wauwatosa school district administrator had violated the boards conflict of interest policy. That came after some community members called for his resignation because of how the board handled the conflict of interest situation. I am extremely honored and privileged to be joining the Underwood team, Abdelmawla stated. Paid for by Wauwatosa for Zirbes, Daniel Gugala for School Board, and Paid for by Mike Zollicoffer Jr. for Wauwatosa School Board. 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. Its time to replace self-interest and personal ideology with working together for the good of our students and teachers. As school board elections near, they're finding other ways to be heard. Following the Waukesha parade tragedy in late 2021, Mr. Pinion played a critical role in supporting students, families and staff within the district. Seat 1: Mary Jo Randall, Jenny Hoag. SEAT 6. 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. Comments (-1) A Message Regarding Safety, Discipline + Communication in the Wauwatosa School District. Another protest was organized by a group called Moms for Liberty, a national organization that has chapters throughout the country. A poll seeking community feedback showed that64.5% of respondents strongly agreed with the curriculum. During his tenure in Waukesha, Mr. Pinion single-handedly implemented the districts PBIS system, and he developed a social-emotional learning and mental wellness framework that is widely regarded as a model program. ", FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. 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. 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. 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. Elections Meetings Responsibilities Contact the Board Dr. Eric Jessup-Anger President Email Seat #3 Term: 2017-2025 (303) 547-2924 Dr. Jenny Hoag Clerk Email Seat #1 Term: 2022-2025 (414) 202-6394 Michael E. Meier Board Member Email Seat #2 Term: 2004-2025 (414) 456-9500 Jessica Willis 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. (Incumbent) Michael Meier has served on the Wauwatosa School Board for nearly 18 years and has a long list of accomplishments during his tenure. Family . This has left board members and parents frustrated and exhausted as some have even called on the school board to limit meeting attendance only to current city residents. The lawsuit alleges this violated open meeting laws because the board made public decisions in a closed setting. 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. Michael Meier said that, as an individual, he supportedthe plan, but as a representative on the school board, he hadworries. 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. The board eventually voted to split with AVID and Bowers, paying Bowers six figures to walk away in January 2022. Wauwatosa High School Students Display Talents, Receive Recognition for Visual Arts. 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. In 2021, the district learned that it had not been reviewed in 10 years, so they decided to initiate a new review process. 2023, Urban Milwaukee, Inc. All rights reserved. Ill work with the board to create policies that challenge every student to be their best self, not just good enough for the middle of the pack. It was done by an attorney at a law firm in Waukesha. Mr. Brightman states, I have long recognized the Wauwatosa School District as one of the strongest in the state. The principal said three people involved were arrested. Board member Jenny Hoag saidthat would only further divide the district and its students. 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. A district document said that curriculum must be reviewed every three years per a school board policy. 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. The principal's email said the students involved will face discipline according to the district's disciplinary framework. It's not here," said Wauwatosa School Board member Shawn Rolland. 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. The Wauwatosa Police Department said Friday they haven't received a report or complaint yet from Doman regarding the threat. I'm extremely confident Mike would be an excellent addition to the school board! I first met Mike 6 years ago when the Jr Trojan Football Program was looking for coaches. 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. 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. Jenny Hoag, Mary Jo Randall, Austin Jensen, Michael Meier, Todd Dahlgren and Eric Jessup-Anger are all on the ballot for school board for the Wauwatosa School District . 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. Wauwatosa School District Announces New Members of Leadership Team, Mr. Abdelmawla has more than six years of experience in educational leadership and classroom instruction. 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. Throughout the years we became friends as well as neighbors. MetaSearch Notice. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Doman resigned in Maybecause he said he received a threat against him and his family. Eventually they (students) will understand how those changes impact them from a sexual health standpoint, the document said. Mr. Pinion also completed the Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Program at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. 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. Help assure the future of citys fastest growing publication. 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. I am most upset, frustrated and sad, however, that extremist groups, or even people external to the Wauwatosa School District are targeting our school board, said Amy White, a Wauwatosa parent. Location: 1055 N Mayfair Rd. Doman initially dismissed those concerns. A suggestion by Meier to create a new curriculum for the students of parents who disliked the updated one failed, 5-2. 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. Principal said it started as an argument between a parent and a group called Moms for,... Email to parents, the principal 's email said the wauwatosa school board members involved will face Discipline to! 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