Support staffs seem to be quitting as well. Jaleelah Ahmed, Superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools, Hamtramck, Michigan. In an interview, Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi spoke . But there were some who spoke favorably of Ahmed. going backwards from our best years In what way? Director of Innovative Programming. Unlike many news organizations, we made a choice to keep all of our independent, investigative reporting free and available for everyone in our community. Posted Oct. 15, 2021. 75897, 75901, (Calendar No. She pointed to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the reason she needs to focus on her physical and mental health right now. Hamtramck Public Schools will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. Without more details, this word doesnt convey much. At a recent school board committee meeting, board Vice President Showkat Chowdhury asked when the district would begin a search for a new superintendent. News, views and interviews from the Arab world and the Arab American community. According to district records, Ahmed has been collecting regular paychecks the entire time she has been off the job. Her leave of absence also comes at a time of turmoil in the district. We're really reaching out to the community to . Ahmed is also asking for back pay, though she has been on paid leave since October. Menhem Aouad Director of Student Services. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. 2023 Mackinac Center for Public Policy The Hamtramck school board voted 4-2 in favor of the suspension of superintendent Paul Stamatakis. Please consider a gift today to help shine a light on government through independent journalism. All rights reserved. width: 100% !important; [1] As of 2011 the official graduation rate is 62%. It is unclear if this suit relates in any way to the alleged investigation cited in the article. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: "Well, we're still in an investigation.". She declined further comment. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: [email protected]. 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. .page .article .comments .fb-comments span, This statement doesnt say much. Bridge Academy West West (6-8th) 3105 Carpenter Ave. They complained, sometimes bitterly, of their management style, and the many job transfers they imposed on staffmembers. The district is also facing allegations it has retaliated against outspoken staff. Hamtramcks acting superintendent Nabil Nagi did not respond to an email seeking comment on Ahmeds status. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: [email protected]. Thus, our focus remains on providing our children with a learning environment that supports their academic, social, and emotional growth," Nabil said in a statement. 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. Ahmed is the first Yemeni-American to be appointed as superintendent of the Hamtramck School District. The Review obtained a copy of the district email directing employees not to contact Ahmed. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. Plunkett Cooney, a Detroit law firm, defends Ms. Ahmed and the district. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print paper, every day. 2). 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. Photo: Hassan Abbas/The Arab American News. Mind sharing? 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. 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. Nabil Nagi, who is the interim Superintendent for Hamtramck Public Schools released a statement on Friday, November 4th addressing this matter. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p, Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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). 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. That desire was underlying each of the decisions she made," Lusk said. 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. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. One teacher said that, since Ahmed became superintendent, the district has been going backwards from our best years. She was promoted to superintendent in 2019-20. The board met last Wednesday and accepted her request for a leave. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. 2K followers . margin: 0 -8px !important; Ahmed initially took a medical leave back on October, citing the stress she endured during the Covid pandemic. Neither Ahmed nor Imbrunone have spoken on the matter. Hamtramck Six Hamtramck schools employees are suing the interim superintendent and district, alleging the interim leader has discriminated against them, retaliated when they filed. The information was contained in the districts response to a Freedom of Information Act request. By Nargis Rahman - YAN - Hamtramck. 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. She was expected to return in January, but did not, with no explanation from the district. The district responded by stripping her of school building and communications access codes, keys and pass cards. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. Do they deserve it? March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! The decision, to temporarily step aside, was not entered into lightly. 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. Posted Oct. 22, 2021. It also said it was running an investigation on the matter, but has not given any details on that investigation. | Wish there was a way to stay informed! She is a native Detroiter who grew up listening to news and music programming on Detroit Public Radio. 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. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. A poll suggested that some 50 percent of teachers considered leaving the district for other jobs. The district has the Schools of Choice program, which allows non-district students to enroll in district schools. At a recent school board committee meeting, board Vice President Showkat Chowdhury asked when the district would begin a search for a new superintendent. Posted Feb. 11, 2022. 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 More than 20 teachers left the district last year. Originally meant to be split between Nagi and Sherry Lynem, the Interim Superintendent position will now be completely filled by Nagi. 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. chaotic whats chaotic? 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. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. My kids in HPS virtual academy. Annotate this Case 426 Mich. 678 (1986) 397 N.W.2d 770 TOMIAK v. HAMTRAMCK SCHOOL DISTRICT Docket Nos. In the meantime, the board has authorized Nagi to lead contract negotiations with district employees, including teachers. She was hired to do a job. 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. Hassan Abbas Section 5: Miscellaneous. 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. Ahmed and the district also face litigation from a former middle school vice principal. It said: 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. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. Her director of human resources, Michelle Imbrunone, also took a medical leave of absence in October. File photo, By Charles Sercombe Nabil Nagi Interim Superintendent. Your email address will not be published. Why is it that nothing was reported about the teachers resigning until now? Thank you for your understanding and compassion, it is my honor and privilege to serve. 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. Ahmed is allowed to remain on paid leave for up to 60 days. 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. By Charles Sercombe Interim Superintendent & ELD Director at Hamtramck School District Hamtramck, Michigan, United States. 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. The lawsuit is seeking to prevent the board from continually extending Ahmeds leave and stop her from returning to work. Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Exclusive podcasts from our top journalists. being. Anyone in the loop? Your email address will not be published. Ahmed notified district officials on Oct. 11, 2021, that she would stop performing her duties as superintendent until Jan. 10, 2022. 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. Bridge Academy East is a free public charter school district serving students in grades K-5th and houses a GSRP preschool program. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the district's Facebook page. It was disappointing to read the names (some familiar) of so many young teachers who left HPS recently. She was very serious about that. As of Feb. 28, the school districts website did not recognize Ahmed in any role. Come get answers to your questions about the flu and COVID-19. Teachers have spoken out at school board meetings to criticize Ahmeds leadership. The Hamtramck High School building. Ahmed alleges the board membersappeared at her office individually and in groups to demand the dismissal of a human resources director and other employees. Abdul Hussain, a parent, said that for two years we found unity. At least 28 people have resigned since the start of the school year, including 12 teachers at Dickinson East Elementary who quit recently. 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. It is strange that people quitting after school year started. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi earlier told The Review that he does not discuss personnel issues. Some of those who left have since returned while Ahmed and Imbrunone were on leave. 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. Also on the boards agenda were the hirings of nine new teachers and staff employees, including one for the filling of the high schools vacant principal position. Her contract ran through June 30, 2024. 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. 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. Michigan Capitol Confidential is a nonprofit news service published by the Mackinac Center and funded entirely through voluntary support. Ahmed has been receiving pay during her absence, as she is still under contract with the district, which has not officially terminated that contract.