Thank you for your understanding and compassion, it is my honor and privilege to serve. She was scheduled to return on Jan. 10 but it was announced, at last months regular board meeting, that she remains on leave apparently at the boards insistence. Dr. Adnan Aabed. This was covered in several local media outlets, with a remarkable number of teachers leaving in a short period, and the fact that it reflected national trends of teachers finding better work environments. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. In an unexpected move, Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed has taken a leave of absence. Previously, Felix was a Superintendent at Anderson Commun ity School Corporation. Her announcement was made public on the HPS Facebook page on Tuesday. Ahmed has been superintendent since 2019. }. Obaid credited Niczay for steering the schools to a financially healthy position after the district was in deficit. Thats a significant loss to a system with only around 200 teachers and like many districts already dealing with a shortage of teachers. WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. Audit Reports 2017-2018. . Annual Amount Spent on Lobbying -- Not Applicable ($0) Enroll Today Meals & Nutrition Transportation Home Our District Superintendent Home Meet the Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed Superintendent of Schools Phone: 313.591.7413 Fax: 313.432.8409 The mass exodus has been connected with her time as superintendent in local conversations and in local media over the months of her unexplained absence, during which teachers themselves spoke out during public meetings. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. Hamtramck Public Schools haven't had a permanent leader since mid-October, when Superintendent Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed announced "a temporary leave of absence to address my own personal. HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. David Melkus for the plaintiff. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. The Hamtramck Review said this week that trouble began with several job transfers of teachers, some involuntary, which resulted in backlash from some board members about former Human Resources Director Michelle Imbrunone, who was hired by Ahmed. We have seen the impact of the pandemic, not only on the physical well-being of our students, families, teachers, and staff, but also on the social and emotional health of our community. In an interview, Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi spoke . Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the districts Facebook page. Aiyash, who was not re-elected among fellow board members as president of the board, has not attended a board meeting since January, the Review said. Her leave of absence also comes at a time of turmoil in the district. She said the stresses of the pandemic has caused her to prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well-being. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. I must prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well- In September 2020, the district experienced aninflux of autistic students, the suit alleges, promptingAhmed to direct the involuntarytransfer of twoteachers from their former assignments so the autistic students would have teachers who were properly certified under federal and Michigan law. According to district records, Ahmed has been collecting regular paychecks the entire time she has been off the job. Instead of appointing an interim superintendent, the board of education appointed Nabil Nagi, the districts English Language Director, and Sherry Lynem, the districts Chief Financial Officer, to share the duties of superintendent. Join to view profile Hamtramck School District . Unlike many news organizations, we made a choice to keep all of our independent, investigative reporting free and available for everyone in our community. Major, a school board trustee, said on Tuesday the board has not had an opportunity to meet to discuss the allegations inthe lawsuit. News, analysis and scores on Detroit and Michigan sports teams. They were named to replace Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed at a school board meeting Wednesday. She is a native Detroiter who grew up listening to news and music programming on Detroit Public Radio. While I know the news of my leave may come as a surprise, I also know that you will continue to serve as an invaluable partner in your childs education. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[4]='MMERGE4';ftypes[4]='date';fnames[6]='MMERGE6';ftypes[6]='text';fnames[5]='MMERGE5';ftypes[5]='date';fnames[3]='MMERGE3';ftypes[3]='date';fnames[7]='MMERGE7';ftypes[7]='date';fnames[8]='MMERGE8';ftypes[8]='zip';fnames[9]='MMERGE9';ftypes[9]='radio';fnames[10]='MMERGE10';ftypes[10]='text';fnames[11]='MMERGE11';ftypes[11]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Your connection to news, music, conversation. Hamtramck Public Schools will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. Recently, the board voted not to renew Imbrunones contract with the district. Hamtramck Public Schools posted a letter from Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed, in which she explained that the leave is for her own personal well-being during the pandemic. Decided December 22, 1986. She was hired to do a job. Something must not be going right. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print paper, every day. The decision, to temporarily step aside, was not entered into lightly. Some of those who left have since returned while Ahmed and Imbrunone were on leave. The board met last Wednesday and accepted her request for a leave. Earlier this year, dozens of Hamtramck teachers protested outside the districts administrative building during contract negotiations, detailing strained conditions at the school during Ahmeds tenure. Interim Superintendent. width: auto !important; Sarah Filipiak, who announced her resignation last week as principal of Dickinson East Elementary School, said that, under Ahmeds leadership, the message is loud and clear: you cannot grow here. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. But there were some who spoke favorably of Ahmed. We're really reaching out to the community to . Come get answers to your questions about the flu and COVID-19. By Charles Sercombe Toni Coral, president of theHamtramck Federation of Teachers, said Thursday the lawsuit had been sent to attorneys to review. Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi earlier told The Review that he does not discuss personnel issues. She was very serious about that. More than 20 teachers left the district last year. Mobile app for news, photos and video on the go. max-width: none !important; The Review obtained a copy of the district email directing employees not to contact Ahmed. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Comments (-1) Sherry Lynem, the district's chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. The board has two other members, DazShavon Hall and Jihan Aiyash, who were not named in the lawsuit. As of Feb. 28, the school districts website did not recognize Ahmed in any role. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. Why is it that nothing was reported about the teachers resigning until now? Nabil Nagi. Michigan Capitol Confidential is a nonprofit news service published by the Mackinac Center and funded entirely through voluntary support. Hamtramck Public Schools Jul 2019 - Present 3 years 8 months. Join us for an Open Forum! The former superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools is suing the school district, five members of its school board andits teacher's union, alleging a conspiracy to oust her,defamation and violations offederal discrimination laws. HAMTRAMCK, Mich. The superintendent of the Hamtramck School District was suspended with pay last week due to allegations that he violated state law while holding bids for contracts and for misallocation of school funds. Hamtramck Public School District . Board members like Major supported Ahmeds efforts in 2020 to promote a millage to construct a new elementary school, a proposal later defeated by voters. She was expected to return in January, but did not, with no explanation from the district. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. Posted Oct. 22, 2021. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p, Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. All rights reserved. Required fields are marked *. Your commitment to their success has been a driving force for me and the HPS faculty and staff throughout the challenges we have seen these past 18 months. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. Local. It is my hope that I will return and come back revitalized, with a refreshed perspective to continue to lead our efforts, Ahmed wrote in the letter. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p, Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022. The board has not said whether Imbrunone remains on leave, or is still with the district. Ahmeds lawsuit says school board members Evan Major, Salah Hadwan, Moortadha Obaid, Showkat Chowdhury andRegan Watson and the teachers unionprovided falseinformation to local media, which hurt her reputation and that the teachers union posted that false information on itsFacebook account. In the meantime, the board has authorized Nagi to lead contract negotiations with district employees, including teachers. First Yemeni-American Superintendent of Schools in the United States Detroit Metropolitan Area. This Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. They felt that some involuntary transfers that administration had implemented were retaliatory people who had spoken up about some things suddenly found themselves moved, Coral says. Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan breaking news. That focus is also the primary reason I was able to identify that I needed additional support at this time. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! from . Ahmed defended those involuntary transfers, citing the need to meet federal guidelines to serve an influx of autistic students with special needs who needed specialized teachers. Here is Ahmeds letter to the community that was posted on the districts Facebook page announcing her leave: Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. All Rights Reserved. The suit alleges the board members made false statements like saying that Ahmed was collecting her salary even though she refused to work and that there was no legitimate reason for her medical leave of absence. Ahmed is allowed to remain on paid leave for up to 60 days. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Bridge Academy East (PreK-5th) 9600 Buffalo St. Hamtramck, MI 48212. The suit also says that the previous superintendent, Thomas Niczay, had made involuntary transfers in the past, with no repercussions. Did anyone press those teachers for more details? Required fields are marked *. Her announcement was made public on the HPS Facebook page on Tuesday. Hamtramck School Dist. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. Teachers have spoken out at school board meetings to criticize Ahmeds leadership. } She received the highest possible performance rating from evaluations since she became superintendent in 2019, something the lawsuit points out. An email apparently circulated among Hamtramck Public Schools employees ordered them to not contact Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed, who is now on a leave of absence. Toni Coral, the president of the teachers union, characterized the working conditions in the district as chaotic a description that was repeated over and over. "We attempted unsuccessfully to pass a bond in 1997. "She has a contract with Hamtramck. The most highly paid employee in the Hamtramck Public Schools district has been collecting a paycheck for about four months while staying home and claiming a COVID-19 leave of absence. Hamtramck Public Schools did not incur a deficit during the 2020-21 Fiscal Year. Nabil Nagi, the districts English Language Director, and Sherry Lynem, the districts Chief Financial Officer, were appointed to share the duties of superintendent. In her letter, Ahmed said that she is taking a break from her position to prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well-being. It seems like it would be big news. Menhem Aouad. .page .article .comments .fb-comments { The new lawsuit does provide a more detailed picture of the conflict between Ahmed and the school board, something that has been shrouded in mystery since late last year. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. Anyone in the loop? Donate Exclusive podcasts from our top journalists. Wish there was a way to stay informed! The suit says Ahmed has been discriminated against by the board members and the teachers union based on sex and national origin, as the districts previous superintendent, a White man, had made similar decisions as her without repercussions. The suit allegesthe union and school board membersharassedAhmed in an effort to force her to dismiss Imbrunone, blamedAhmed and Imbrunone for teacher retirements and resignations and placedImbrunone on a paid leave of absence on Oct.28. The district has the Schools of Choice program, which allows non-district students to enroll in district schools. Will you support us? The Hamtramck High School building. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. Michigan is home to the top-ranked public square in the entire U.S. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective. Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Required fields are marked *. 115 Construction Superintendent Jobs in Hamtramck, MI hiring now with salary from $61,000 to $123,000 hiring now. 1K followers 500+ connections. Hadwan didnt explain the nature of the investigation. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p. | Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. Ahmed announced in October she was going on a leave of absence because of stress from handling school affairs during the pandemic, on doctors orders. Sherry Lynem, the districts chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). News, views and interviews from the Arab world and the Arab American community. 08 Nov 2022 By The Yemeni American News The topic of banning explicit books in school districts has now made its way to Hamtramck. District employees shall not communicate with Superintendent Ahmed concerning any district business, district matter, district student or district subject of any kind until further notice. The district will continue to address and support emotional well-being and mental health for those in our entire school community as that has been an element of critical focus. It also said it was running an investigation on the matter, but has not given any details on that investigation. Section 4: Benefits and Salary of Superintendent and employees greater than $100,000. Director of Innovative Programming. It said: Without more details, this word doesnt convey much. About If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. File photo, By Charles Sercombe Photo: Hassan Abbas/The Arab American News. The lawsuit is seeking to prevent the board from continually extending Ahmeds leave and stop her from returning to work. Some teachers and administrators said transfers made no sense and felt punitive against those who had raised concerns over work conditions during the pandemic. Ahmed, like so many other school superintendents, has had added responsibilities and burdens while overseeing the district during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hamtramck schools embrace community initiatives, gear for Census count . Plunkett Cooney, a Detroit law firm, defends Ms. Ahmed and the district. Interim Superintendent & ELD Director at Hamtramck School District Hamtramck, Michigan, United States. 75897, 75901, (Calendar No. Copyright 2022 by WDET and Wayne State University. According to a letter the district sent to Ahmed on Oct. 14, 2021, she was also barred from taking any actions as a school official. The school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 72% over five school years. Ahmed has been receiving pay during her absence, as she is still under contract with the district, which has not officially terminated that contract. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? Neither Ahmed nor Imbrunone have spoken on the matter. A lot of the teachers have left HPS. She remains on the districts payroll as of Feb. 18, more than a month after a Jan. 10, 2022, self-declared back-to-work deadline. |. Superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools discusses challenges for upcoming school year Dr. Jaleelah Ahmed, superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools and a member of the K-12 Alliance, said schools have tough decisions to make without direct orders from the state or county hea.. View article WXYZ Detroit WDET is a community service of Wayne State University. A mass exodus of teachers from the school district took place under Ahmeds term last year. She was promoted to superintendent in 2019-20. Her contract ran through June 30, 2024. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. Jaleelah Ahmed and the school district are defendants in a federal whistleblower lawsuit by Christina Adamczyk filed by attorney Gary Miotke that pends in federal court. Section 1.3: Audit. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. HAMTRAMCK Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed, who has been on leave since last October, has filed a lawsuit accusing five board members and the teachers union of conspiring to get her fired. Ahmeds leave took many in the district by surprise. Menhem Aouad Director of Student Services. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? Abdul Hussain, a parent, said that for two years we found unity. Superintendent Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed cites the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the reason behind her decision to take a temporary leave of absence. Hamtramck Six Hamtramck schools employees are suing the interim superintendent and district, alleging the interim leader has discriminated against them, retaliated when they filed. going backwards from our best years In what way? In a letter to the Hamtramck community posted on Facebook this week by Hamtramck Public Schools, Ahmed announced she was stepping away. Another falsehood claimed that the teacher resignations during the 2021-2022 school year were caused by or related to Ahmeds involuntary transfer decisions. A. ) Ahmed notified district officials on Oct. 11, 2021, that she would stop performing her duties as superintendent until Jan. 10, 2022. Definition of Terms 2020-2021 School . Section 5: Miscellaneous. There has been wide speculation over whether Ahmed will return in January. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! Her attorney, Robert Lusk, said in early August 2021, Hamtramck schools notified three teachers they had been transferred at their request and anothernine teachers they would be involuntarily transferred. Jaleelah Ahmed, Superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools, Hamtramck, Michigan. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. Supreme Court of Michigan. We strive to follow best practices based on federal requirements outlined in Section 508the "Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards," authorized by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Boardas well as recommendations of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Bridge Academy East is a free public charter school district serving students in grades K-5th and houses a GSRP preschool program. Support staffs seem to be quitting as well. Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. Hamtramck Federation of Teachers President Toni Coral says she wishes Ahmed well, but there is a lot of work to do in the district. Mind sharing? Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Donate | Contact Us, Michigan senator rakes in donations from energy companies, blasts them on Twitter, On House Bill 4001, Michigan Senate Republicans deny immediate effect, preserve tax cut, Why a Michigan paraprofessional left his union, Feds give Michigan $110M to install 127 EV chargers. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. Newsletters on topics that interest you most. Her director of human resources, Michelle Imbrunone, also took a medical leave of absence in October. The lawsuit alleges the school board refused to permit the involuntary transfer of teachers to serve the students, resulting in the Hamtramck Schools being out of compliance with federal and Michigan laws governing the education of students with disabilities. One teacher said that, since Ahmed became superintendent, the district has been going backwards from our best years. HAMTRAMCK Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed, who has been on leave since last October, has filed a lawsuit accusing five board members and the teachers union of conspiring to get her fired. After questions from residents and local media, the board said it had extended her leave, but did not explain why. 775 likes. The Hamtramck Public Schools are operating with a surplus (thanks to Thomas Niczay's, former Superintendent, diligence in budget and cost control) and will be able to continue operations if they do not pass their bond. She did not say what specific ailment she has. 2K followers . Bridge Academy West West (6-8th) 3105 Carpenter Ave. chaotic whats chaotic? I have no idea about the happenings in school this year. Ahmed is claiming the board members violated her contractual right to manage Hamtramck Schools administrative personnel decisions by demanding teachers union members be promoted to administrative positions. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. During my absence, the Board of Education will appoint an interim superintendent who will have the full support of the entire team at Hamtramck Public Schools. Terms of Use | Online Privacy Policy. Ahmed is also accusing the parties, which include two board members who, like her, are Yemeni Americans, of discrimination (based on sex and nationality) and defamation. Employees shall not discuss the employment circumstances of Superintendent Ahmed with anyone unless cleared by Lynem or Nagi. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. 2023 Mackinac Center for Public Policy Your email address will not be published. That lawsuit has been pending for about one year and Ms. Adamczyk is represented by Gary Miotke as her attorney if that name sounds familiar it is because he represented former HPD officer Dennis Whitty in two employment suits against the City of Hamtramck which settled for several hundred thousand dollars. Throughout the pandemic, I have continually reinforced that the well-being of our school community is the districts primary concern. HAMTRAMCK, Mich. - After the sudden absence of Superintendent Ahmed, the temporary replacement Nabil Nagi will take full control of the responsibilities of the Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent. Do they deserve it? | Come get answers to your questions about the flu and COVID-19. We offer Arabic education, after school programs, tutoring, and more! It is strange that people quitting after school year started. They complained, sometimes bitterly, of their management style, and the many job transfers they imposed on staffmembers. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up Flyer. Hamtramck Public Schools Administration; Hamtramck Public Schools Administration. Posted: Saturday 06.04.2022 9:07 pm Revised: Friday 06.10.2022 9:07 pm Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. Ahmed is asking a judge to issue an injunction prohibitingtermination of her employment, back payand damages for mental anguish and emotional distress. We wish Ms. Ahmed the best during her leave of absence. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. Please consider a gift today to help shine a light on government through independent journalism. Nor is it easy to be openly vulnerable with you. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: "Well, we're still in an investigation.". Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Unlimited access to subscriber only articles on desktop, tablet and mobile web. display: block !important; Ahmed and the district also face litigation from a former middle school vice principal. Hamtramck, MI . In the last year, over 20 teachers and administrators opted to resign and take jobs with other districts in protest of the management decisions. Ahmeds evaluations for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years were highly effective, the highest possible rating, the suitalleges. This year, Niczay was rehired by the district as a consultant, performing some of Ahmeds prior duties. The alleged conspiracy andthe stress suffered during the COVID-19 pandemiccaused Ahmed to experience severe emotional distress, the suit alleges, and forced her to take a three-monthmedical leave that beganOct. 10. The district responded by stripping her of school building and communications access codes, keys and pass cards. Last Wednesday I sat down with the Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed to discuss parent and student engagement projects and how the district will work with the City of Hamtramck and the local Census committee to get everyone counted for Census 2020. Hassan Abbas My kids in HPS virtual academy.
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