Throughout the pandemic, I have continually reinforced that the well-being of our school community is the districts primary concern. 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. 2023 Mackinac Center for Public Policy
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Ahmed alleges the board membersappeared at her office individually and in groups to demand the dismissal of a human resources director and other employees. This is not an environment I want to return in, said the teacher. Major, a school board trustee, said on Tuesday the board has not had an opportunity to meet to discuss the allegations inthe lawsuit. She was promoted to superintendent in 2019-20. Print Edition
This year, Niczay was rehired by the district as a consultant, performing some of Ahmeds prior duties. This content is only available to subscribers.
Section 1.3: Audit. "I would say on the surface that,not speaking for the board, I would hope anyone reading or seeing of these types of allegations would be able to look at the history andthe diligence the board has shown inthe pastfor listening to our community and trying to build thebest school system we can for families.". Audit Reports 2017-2018. . Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the districts Facebook page. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. Felix Chow is a Superintendent at Hamtramck Public Schools based in Hamtramck, Michigan. 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. Will you support us? The nature of the investigation has not been made public by the district. By Nargis Rahman - YAN - Hamtramck. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the district's Facebook page. She received the highest possible performance rating from evaluations since she became superintendent in 2019, something the lawsuit points out. [1] As of 2011 the official graduation rate is 62%. Recently, the board voted not to renew Imbrunones contract with the district. Ahmed and the school district are being represented by Michael D. Weaver of the Plunkett Cooney law firm. You could win a $20 gift card in the raffle! Support staffs seem to be quitting as well. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Something must not be going right. Why is it that nothing was reported about the teachers resigning until now? 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. Join us for an Open Forum! Apply for A Construction Superintendent jobs that are part time, remote, internships, junior and senior level. 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. Ahmed notified district officials on Oct. 11, 2021, that she would stop performing her duties as superintendent until Jan. 10, 2022. 1/ Day for Students & Staff (HOZ - Final Exams), No School for Students & Staff, Spring Break, HAMTRAMCK PUBLIC SCHOOLS3201 Roosevelt StreetHamtramck, MI 48212SUPERINTENDENTJaleelah AhmedPhone: 313.591.7400Fax: 313.284.6094Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm. width: auto !important;
Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. The school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 72% over five school years. 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. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: Well, were still in an investigation. Did anyone press those teachers for more details? She is a native Detroiter who grew up listening to news and music programming on Detroit Public Radio. That job included improving English language proficiency and academic performance. News, analysis and scores on Detroit and Michigan sports teams. Nabil Nagi, who is the interim Superintendent for Hamtramck Public Schools released a statement on Friday, November 4th addressing this matter. In an unexpected move, Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed has taken a leave of absence. 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. In the last year, over 20 teachers and administrators opted to resign and take jobs with other districts in protest of the management decisions. Ahmed's gross pay was $176,750 in 2020-21; she was appointed superintendent in July 2019. Here is Ahmeds letter to the community that was posted on the districts Facebook page announcing her leave: Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. |. These transfers were made to improve the educational opportunities of Hamtramck Schools students, Lusk said, but triggered demands from school board members and the union forAhmed to firethe district's Human Resources director,MichelleImbrunone. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. Ahmeds leave took many in the district by surprise. .page .article .comments .fb-comments iframe {
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. width: 100% !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. Some teachers and administrators said transfers made no sense and felt punitive against those who had raised concerns over work conditions during the pandemic. We wish Ms. Ahmed the best during her leave of absence. Another falsehood claimed that the teacher resignations during the 2021-2022 school year were caused by or related to Ahmeds involuntary transfer decisions. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. 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. Sherry Lynem, the districts chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. Hamtramck Public Schools Administration; Hamtramck Public Schools Administration. HPS News. HPS Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed is under an investigation while on extended leave from her job. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. 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 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. 2). Local. She told the school board that she will be on leave until Jan. 10. chaotic whats chaotic? HAMTRAMCK, Mich. - Hamtramck Public Schools is now leaving the crossroads of a few changes - labor talks between administration and the teacher's collective bargaining unit are continuing, COVID-19 restrictions are relaxing, federal grant dollars are being allocated, and then some. }
All rights reserved. What was better before that has gone worse in last couple of years? Simon Albaugh covers Hamtramck for the Yemeni American News. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? Your email address will not be published. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. |
Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. 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. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated).
Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. 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 health . 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. It also said it was running an investigation on the matter, but has not given any details on that investigation. That focus is also the primary reason I was able to identify that I needed additional support at this time. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print paper, every day. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: "Well, we're still in an investigation.". Hamtramck Public Schools will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. In a letter to the Hamtramck community posted on Facebook this week by Hamtramck Public Schools, Ahmed announced she was stepping away. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. }. Originally meant to be split between Nagi and Sherry Lynem, the Interim Superintendent position will now be completely filled by Nagi. 75897, 75901, (Calendar No. A mass exodus of teachers from the school district took place under Ahmeds term last year. At last weeks board meeting, several teachers spoke out about what it has been like with Ahmed as superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed, Superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools, Hamtramck, Michigan. 1K followers 500+ connections. Ahmeds evaluations for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years were highly effective, the highest possible rating, the suitalleges. 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 suit says Ahmed was harassed by the board members over her defense of the human resources director and blamed both for the mass exodus of teachers and placingImbrunone on a paid leave of absence in October. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective. In an interview, Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi spoke . Section 5: Miscellaneous. 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. You could win a $20 gift card in the raffle! Neither Ahmed nor Imbrunone have spoken on the matter. Wish there was a way to stay informed! Mind sharing? .page .article .comments .fb-comments span,
This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. A poll suggested that some 50 percent of teachers considered leaving the district for other jobs. Required fields are marked *. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. Menhem Aouad. The City will go bankrupt or lose the vital protection of our First Responders if they do not pass their millage request. Ahmeds gross pay was $176,750 in 2020-21; she was appointed superintendent in July 2019. There has been wide speculation over whether Ahmed will return in January. Hamtramcks acting superintendent Nabil Nagi did not respond to an email seeking comment on Ahmeds status. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p, Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022. Her announcement was made public on the HPS Facebook page on Tuesday. 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. Do they deserve it? On the agenda for the school boards regular monthly meeting Wednesday evening, an additional 11 more teachers and staff members announced their resignation including the principal of Dickinson East Elementary School. |
She was expected to return in January, but did not, with no explanation from the district. Thank you for your understanding and compassion, it is my honor and privilege to serve. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. |
Her contract ran through June 30, 2024. 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. 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. At least 28 people have resigned since the start of the school year, including 12 teachers at Dickinson East Elementary who quit recently. The former superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools is suing the school district, five members of its school board and its teacher's union, alleging a conspiracy to oust her, defamation and. She was very serious about that. Director of Innovative Programming. The district has so far not given any details on why Ahmed never returned from that leave. Ahmed is also asking for back pay, though she has been on paid leave since October. Above: Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed says the portable classrooms for elementary school students stand in the way of equitable learning "Hamtramck has never passed a bond like surrounding cities," Ahmed said. Join us for an Open Forum! 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. (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. It says the board members prevented her from bringing the district into compliance with federal and state law to accommodate an influx of autistic students by refusing to permit her to involuntarily transfer certified teachers to serve those students. Come get answers to your questions about the flu and COVID-19. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! Toni Coral, president of theHamtramck Federation of Teachers, said Thursday the lawsuit had been sent to attorneys to review. Hamtramck Federation of Teachers President Toni Coral says she wishes Ahmed well, but there is a lot of work to do in the district. The district is also facing allegations it has retaliated against outspoken staff. Hamtramck School District Of The City Of, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 854 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-2021 school year. Hamtramck Public Schools Jul 2019 - Present 3 years 8 months. "At Hamtramck Public Schools, we are committed to providing high-quality education services that our families deserve. By Charles Sercombe 775 likes. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. The decision, to temporarily step aside, was not entered into lightly. Her suit asks that she receive front-pay in case the district does successfully terminate her. Donate
Teachers have spoken out at school board meetings to criticize Ahmeds leadership. Pro-Israel, pro-corporate outside funds thrown at campaign opposing Talib in 12th District primary, Maker of Pillsbury products divests from Israel, after multi-year boycott campaign. But there were some who spoke favorably of Ahmed. Her director of human resources, Michelle Imbrunone, also took a medical leave of absence in October. Hamtramck Public Schools will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. 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). One teacher said that, since Ahmed became superintendent, the district has been going backwards from our best years. from . According to district payroll records, Ahmed was still collecting paychecks as of Feb. 18, 2022. display: block !important;
There was a lot of teachers who were kind of dissatisfied with Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmeds leadership, Albaugh says. Supreme Court of Michigan. Unlike many news organizations, we made a choice to keep all of our independent, investigative reporting free and available for everyone in our community.
It is my hope that I will return and come back revitalized, with a refreshed perspective to continue to lead our efforts and be the driving force behind the advancement and vision we have for the students and families of Hamtramck Public Schools. Interim Superintendent & ELD Director at Hamtramck School District Hamtramck, Michigan, United States. 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 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 School Board Trustee, Moortadha Obaid, said it was "really sad" that Niczay is leaving the job, he lauded the superintendent as a "great guy". 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. It is also unknown whether if the two are still on the districts payroll. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. Without more details, this word doesnt convey much. These steps are necessary to protect the privacy of all concerned, the confidentiality of district information and records, and to ensure that district operations function in an orderly fashion. "She has a contract with Hamtramck. Photo: Hassan Abbas/The Arab American News, Later on, several teachers spoke up, complaining of a poor work environment in the district set up by Ahmed and Imbrunone, with the teachers union describing the environment as chaotic.. It is unclear if this suit relates in any way to the alleged investigation cited in the article. 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. Abdul Hussain, a parent, said that for two years we found unity. 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. Does anyone know whats going on in Hamtramck public schools? Your email address will not be published. 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. She said the stresses of the pandemic has caused her to prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well-being. My kids in HPS virtual academy. Nabil Nagi Interim Superintendent. Required fields are marked *. At a recent school board committee meeting, board Vice President Showkat Chowdhury asked when the district would begin a search for a new superintendent. Coral, who is a teacher, says policies that made teachers feel unwelcome exacerbated the teacher shortage and crisis that the district is facing. The district responded by stripping her of school building and communications access codes, keys and pass cards. 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. 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. News, views and interviews from the Arab world and the Arab American community. 2021 Salaries and Benefits over $100k. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. About
Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? Having our students return to learning in our schools these past two months has been wonderful both for our students and our faculty and staff members. Previously, Felix was a Superintendent at Anderson Commun ity School Corporation. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. 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. Felix received a bachelor's degree degree from Inter-American University and a master of business administration ( M. B.