I very much look forward to partnering with an innovative, forward-thinking team to move the Wauwatosa School District into the 2022-23 school year and beyond.. The students in our district deserve the best education available, that's why we need a renewed focus on academics. Three seats, each with three-year terms. "But it is just frustrating when outside groups are making school board meetings about politics when they should be about our kids.". . SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News. I couldn't fully socially transition for 13 years of my life … that reason being is I didn't even know that there was a choice to be LGBTQ because it was never ever taught in school, he said. Despite this, the district did maintain its exceeds expectations label. 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. Mike Zollicoffer has the leadership skills and the passion for child development to be a member of the Wauwatosa School Board." Passed in August, the revamped human growth and development curriculum includes more comprehensive sexual education lessons and addresses hot-button issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. Mr. Stephen Kern, Jefferson Elementary School . These final candidates participated in two panel-style interviews - one with District staff and another with families. 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 ", "We cant have leadership like this," community member Deb Falk-Palec said during public comment. Their qualifications are a reflection of the values and priorities in Wauwatosa, stated Mr. Steven Doman, School Board President. 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. I am excited to join such a well-respected, dynamic district and team. 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. We want Wauwatosa students to go out into the world and achieve anything they set their minds to. The board also voted, 5-2, against delaying a vote on the updated curriculum before ultimately approving the curriculum. (Incumbent) Michael Meier has served on the Wauwatosa School Board for nearly 18 years and has a long list of accomplishments during his tenure. Keep updated on the latest news and information. 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. He then served as Underfilling Assistant Principal before joining the Wauwatosa School District in 2020 as Associate Principal of Longfellow Middle School. Become a member for $9/month. That same school board member is now calling for an independent investigation into the fighting. Family . He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy: Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mike & Betsy, who also have children at the same level, had been a vital support system for our family at the elementary stage. A district document said that curriculum must be reviewed every three years per a school board policy. As a community, I know that we will continue to provide all of our students the enriching academic and social experience they deserve. Doman resigned in Maybecause he said he received a threat against him and his family. 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. 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). A poll seeking community feedback showed that64.5% of respondents strongly agreed with the curriculum. Last year, Wisconsins Republican-controlled Legislature introduced multiple bills that centered on LGBTQ youth. 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. Sign up now! But the action didn't come easily. Evan Casey . "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. "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 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. Seat 2: Michael Meier (inc.), Austin Jensen. 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. 2023 Mike Zollicoffer Jr. for Wauwatosa School BoardPaid for by Mike Zollicoffer Jr. for Wauwatosa School Board, PRIORITIZE SAFER SCHOOLS STRONG DISCIPLINE FOR MISCONDUCT SUPPORT SMALLER CLASS SIZES CLAMP DOWN ON BULLYING . In the latest DPI report card, the district received a score of 72.4, the lowest score the district had ever received. Having lived in Wauwatosa for 22 years, I've seen first hand the many challenges a school district can face. right-wing groups from outside communities such as Moms for Liberty and Gays Against Groomers. 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. There's no doubt in my mind that future generations will observe the damage that occurs when this teaching method is used, Smith said. 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. In an email to parents, the principal said it started as an argument between a parent and a group of students. 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. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. The poll would eventually show a majority of respondents were in favor of approving the curriculum. I am extremely honored and privileged to be joining the Underwood team, Abdelmawla stated. Parents are rightfully concerned after seeing several videos of fights in Wauwatosa schools. 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. 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. In later grades, it will provide a more comprehensive sex education curriculum and will include information on sexual orientation and gender identity. 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. The principal said three people involved were arrested. It escalated into a physical fight. Wauwatosa School District is a school district in Wisconsin . Mr. Kern is an experienced principal with a demonstrated history of success in education. "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. Not only was Mike a coach but he also was a teacher and a mentor. 2023, Urban Milwaukee, Inc. All rights reserved. The meeting was also livestreamed. decided to resign from the board after receiving an email that he said made him feel threatened. There are different levels depending on the severity of the incident. Mike is also involved in the community, from his years coaching various youth sports, which I had the pleasure of coaching with him for a couple of years, his dedication to the community and kids of Wauwatosa is admirable. 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. She is a member of the Wisconsin Association of School Personnel Administrators and served as President of the association from 2013 to 2016. 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. 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. I am extremely honored and privileged to be joining the Underwood team, Abdelmawla stated. Some residents and groups pushed back against the plan, but the school board ultimately voted to approve the changes. 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. 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. I feel like our community is taking a big step in doing this, Robertstad said. The Wauwatosa School Board did an independent investigation in 2013 regarding bullying complaints at an elementary school. 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. In the lawsuit, Meier claims the board is controlled by a "faction.". The lawsuit also names past board president Steve Doman as a defendant. Mike was one of the first to step up. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration - Accounting from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, and obtained a Master of Science - Education (MSE) degree in Public Finance/School Business Management from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. 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. 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. Jenny Hoag for Wauwatosa School Board. Ill bring these same skills to the table to help elevate our school district. 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. The lawsuit also names past board president Steve Doman as a defendant. Ms. Mike is an excellent choice to be a champion in our schools!. Ditch the ads, get free stuff. 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. 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. Wauwatosa school board member sues his own board after it approved new gender identity curriculum was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio. Comments (-1) more . 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Means as the next superintendent of the Wauwatosa School District. 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. The committees strived to create a curriculum that would be acceptable to the whole community. Mr. Keith Brightman, Chief Financial Officer. Nate Robertstad,a member of the external committee that worked closely with the district to form the new curriculum,said the revamping of the curriculum was long overdue. Wauwatosa schools issued a statement which can be read on the district website. The police investigation, while resulting in no criminal charges, said the school board "failed to act.". Membership, which includes a host of perks, including an ad-free website, tickets to marquee events like Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Florentine Opera, a better photo browser and access to members-only, behind-the-scenes tours, starts at $9/month. I'll be taking some time away, said Wauwatosa Elementary School teacher Jake Daggett in an Instagram post. School board member contact information can be found below. The Wauwatosa Police Department said Friday they haven't received a report or complaint yet from Doman regarding the threat. Voting is incredibly convenient, pop over to Wauwatosa City Hall 3/21-3/24 and 3/27-3/31 from 8-4:30. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. I'm an attorney, but more importantly, a proud husband, father, coach, and 25-year Wauwatosa resident. Announcements. He said he washappy to see students getting the education they need and deserve. 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. He was the only school board member to vote against the update in August. FOX6 News reached out to all the other Wauwatosa School Board members and the superintendent. The Wauwatosa police chief told FOX6 News five students were cited for battery. Emotionally crushed. MetaSearch is intended for research, information and reference purposes only. 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. Mr. Brightman states, I have long recognized the Wauwatosa School District as one of the strongest in the state. 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