She was hired to do a job. First Yemeni-American Superintendent of Schools in the United States Detroit Metropolitan Area. Your email address will not be published. Her leave of absence also comes at a time of turmoil in the district. 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. Donate "At Hamtramck Public Schools, we are committed to providing high-quality education services that our families deserve. There is little doubt the school district suffers from a bit of turmoil at this time with all the staff turnover. Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. Neither Ahmed nor Imbrunone have spoken on the matter. She was expected to return in January, but did not, with no explanation from the district. The district has so far not given any details on why Ahmed never returned from that 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. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. 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. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. }. 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. Join us for an Open Forum! 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. Major, a school board trustee, said on Tuesday the board has not had an opportunity to meet to discuss the allegations inthe lawsuit. Ahmeds leave took many in the district by surprise. Sherry Lynem, the district's chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p. Menhem Aouad. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? Director of Innovative Programming. Wish there was a way to stay informed! Im looking forward to working with [the acting superintendents] on some of the initiatives that had stalled over the last couple of weeks I hope those initiatives can begin to get us out of this crisis, Coral says. Print Edition Over 20 teachers, administrators and staff members have resigned since last June. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. Ahmeds evaluations for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years were highly effective, the highest possible rating, the suitalleges. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. 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. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. | A mass exodus of teachers from the school district took place under Ahmeds term last year. 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. The district has the Schools of Choice program, which allows non-district students to enroll in district schools. width: 100% !important; The energy and passion they bring every day continues to make a world of difference and will play a huge role in helping accelerate their learning as we continue to address the effects of COVID learning loss. Ahmeds gross pay was $176,750 in 2020-21; she was appointed superintendent in July 2019. 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. This Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. Please consider a gift today to help shine a light on government through independent journalism. Copyright 2022 by WDET and Wayne State University. File photo, By Charles Sercombe document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); News, views and interviews from the Arab world and the Arab American community document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright The Arab American News. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. 2023 Mackinac Center for Public Policy Both Ahmed and Imbrunone came under intense criticism from teachers and administrators after they took their leaves of absence. .page .article .comments .fb-comments iframe { They complained, sometimes bitterly, of their management style, and the many job transfers they imposed on staffmembers. She received the highest possible performance rating from evaluations since she became superintendent in 2019, something the lawsuit points out. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. 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're really reaching out to the community to . 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. That job included improving English language proficiency and academic performance. Photo: Hassan Abbas/The Arab American News. It is strange that people quitting after school year started. It seems like it would be big news. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Unlike many news organizations, we made a choice to keep all of our independent, investigative reporting free and available for everyone in our community. Teachers have spoken out at school board meetings to criticize Ahmeds leadership. Come get answers to your questions about the flu and COVID-19. "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.". HAMTRAMCK PUBLIC SCHOOLS 3201 Roosevelt Street Hamtramck, MI 48212 SUPERINTENDENT Jaleelah Ahmed Phone: 313.591.7400 Fax: 313.284.6094 Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm HPS News Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up Flyer Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022 The district, including interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi, has been extremely tight-lipped on the circumstances surrounding Ahmeds leave of absence. But there were some who spoke favorably of Ahmed. Hamtramck Public Schools Administration; Hamtramck Public Schools Administration. Interim Superintendent. 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. Hassan Abbas The school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 72% over five school years. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. 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. What was better before that has gone worse in last couple of years? News, views and interviews from the Arab world and the Arab American community. This statement doesnt say much. Michigan Capitol Confidential is a nonprofit news service published by the Mackinac Center and funded entirely through voluntary support. 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. Required fields are marked *. Decided December 22, 1986. 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 Ahmed has been receiving pay during her absence, as she is still under contract with the district, which has not officially terminated that contract. Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Throughout the pandemic, I have continually reinforced that the well-being of our school community is the districts primary concern. Local. 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. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: Well, were still in an investigation. Simon Albaugh covers Hamtramck for the Yemeni American News. Her contract ran through June 30, 2024. In a letter to the Hamtramck community posted on Facebook this week by Hamtramck Public Schools, Ahmed announced she was stepping away. Her director of human resources, Michelle Imbrunone, also took a medical leave of absence in October. } 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. You could win a $20 gift card in the raffle! 2021 Salaries and Benefits over $100k. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. After questions from residents and local media, the board said it had extended her leave, but did not explain why. She declined further comment. A lot of the teachers have left HPS. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. Why is it that nothing was reported about the teachers resigning until now? Employees shall not discuss the employment circumstances of Superintendent Ahmed with anyone unless cleared by Lynem or Nagi. Apply for A Construction Superintendent jobs that are part time, remote, internships, junior and senior level. Does anyone know whats going on in Hamtramck public schools? The board met last Wednesday and accepted her request for a leave. Hamtramck Public Schools did not incur a deficit during the 2020-21 Fiscal Year. Originally meant to be split between Nagi and Sherry Lynem, the Interim Superintendent position will now be completely filled by Nagi. "We attempted unsuccessfully to pass a bond in 1997. Her suit asks that she receive front-pay in case the district does successfully terminate her. HPS News. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print paper, every day. Nabil Nagi. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. Interim Superintendent & ELD Director at Hamtramck School District Hamtramck, Michigan, United States. 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 district responded by stripping her of school building and communications access codes, keys and pass cards. The nature of the investigation has not been made public by the district. [1] As of 2011 the official graduation rate is 62%. Toni Coral, president of theHamtramck Federation of Teachers, said Thursday the lawsuit had been sent to attorneys to review. HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Bridge Academy West West (6-8th) 3105 Carpenter Ave. By Nargis Rahman - YAN - Hamtramck. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. She pointed to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the reason she needs to focus on her physical and mental health right now. Section 5: Miscellaneous. 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. Comments (-1) 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. 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. Ahmed, like so many other school superintendents, has had added responsibilities and burdens while overseeing the district during the COVID-19 pandemic. being. Come get answers to your questions about the flu and COVID-19. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. We offer Arabic education, after school programs, tutoring, and more! Mind sharing? In an unexpected move, Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed has taken a leave of absence. The suit also says that the previous superintendent, Thomas Niczay, had made involuntary transfers in the past, with no repercussions. | Hadwan didnt explain the nature of the investigation. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. 2K followers . WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. By Charles Sercombe It is also unknown whether if the two are still on the districts payroll. Posted Oct. 22, 2021. 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. 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. 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. Felix Chow is a Superintendent at Hamtramck Public Schools based in Hamtramck, Michigan. Hamtramck schools embrace community initiatives, gear for Census count . Ahmed and the school district are being represented by Michael D. Weaver of the Plunkett Cooney law firm. Michigan is home to the top-ranked public square in the entire U.S. 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. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: "Well, we're still in an investigation.". According to district payroll records, Ahmed was still collecting paychecks as of Feb. 18, 2022. This content is only available to subscribers. David Melkus for the plaintiff. Unlimited access to subscriber only articles on desktop, tablet and mobile web. Nabil Nagi, interim superintendent, said the district wasunable to provide information or comment on legal matters. 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. Menhem Aouad Director of Student Services. margin: 0 -8px !important; In the meantime, the board has authorized Nagi to lead contract negotiations with district employees, including teachers. It was disappointing to read the names (some familiar) of so many young teachers who left HPS recently. 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. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. I must prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well- Bridge Academy East is a free public charter school district serving students in grades K-5th and houses a GSRP preschool program. Ahmed has been superintendent since 2019. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. Hamtramck Public Schools ( HPS) is a public school district based in the city of Hamtramck, Michigan ( USA) in Greater Detroit . It also says that the board members and teachers union falsely instructed teachers that it was necessary for them not to contact Ahmed during her leave. One teacher said that, since Ahmed became superintendent, the district has been going backwards from our best years. 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. 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. Without more details, this word doesnt convey much. Ahmed initially took a medical leave back on October, citing the stress she endured during the Covid pandemic. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. 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. .page .article .comments .fb-comments { They are being sued by former school district employee Christina Adamczyk. Support staffs seem to be quitting as well. Coral, who is a teacher, says policies that made teachers feel unwelcome exacerbated the teacher shortage and crisis that the district is facing. Superintendent Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed cites the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the reason behind her decision to take a temporary leave of absence. Your email address will not be published. Ahmed is allowed to remain on paid leave for up to 60 days. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? 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. More than 20 teachers left the district last year. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the districts Facebook page. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. That focus is also the primary reason I was able to identify that I needed additional support at this time. Jaleelah Ahmed, Superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools, Hamtramck, Michigan. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the district's Facebook page. Do they deserve it? Mobile app for news, photos and video on the go. 75897, 75901, (Calendar No. The decision, to temporarily step aside, was not entered into lightly. 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. 1K followers 500+ connections. She did not say what specific ailment she has. Hamtramck Federation of Teachers President Toni Coral says she wishes Ahmed well, but there is a lot of work to do in the district. Thats a significant loss to a system with only around 200 teachers and like many districts already dealing with a shortage of teachers. Audit Reports 2017-2018. . Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. Sherry Lynem, the districts chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. 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. 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. Some of those who left have since returned while Ahmed and Imbrunone were on leave. Required fields are marked *. Ahmed and the district also face litigation from a former middle school vice principal. 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. Annotate this Case 426 Mich. 678 (1986) 397 N.W.2d 770 TOMIAK v. HAMTRAMCK SCHOOL DISTRICT Docket Nos. 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. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. Annual Amount Spent on Lobbying -- Not Applicable ($0) Join us for an Open Forum! "She has a contract with Hamtramck. The City will go bankrupt or lose the vital protection of our First Responders if they do not pass their millage request. Obaid credited Niczay for steering the schools to a financially healthy position after the district was in deficit. Definition of Terms 2020-2021 School . HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. 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. 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. At least 28 people have resigned since the start of the school year, including 12 teachers at Dickinson East Elementary who quit recently. |. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. 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. Your email address will not be published. Anyone in the loop? 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. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. In an interview, Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi spoke . Section 1.3: Audit. Hamtramck, MI 48212 INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT Nabil Nagi Phone: 313.591.7400 Fax: 313.284.6094 Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm. "We believe it is important to continue to respond to the changing pandemic, and to always put the safety of our school community first," Hamtramck Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed said in a. Ahmed's gross pay was $176,750 in 2020-21; she was appointed superintendent in July 2019. As of Feb. 28, the school districts website did not recognize Ahmed in any role. A. ) Ahmed notified district officials on Oct. 11, 2021, that she would stop performing her duties as superintendent until Jan. 10, 2022. The board has not said whether Imbrunone remains on leave, or is still with the district. max-width: none !important; At a recent school board committee meeting, board Vice President Showkat Chowdhury asked when the district would begin a search for a new superintendent. The Review obtained a copy of the district email directing employees not to contact Ahmed. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! Do they deserve it? Nabil Nagi, who is the interim Superintendent for Hamtramck Public Schools released a statement on Friday, November 4th addressing this matter. Thank you for your understanding and compassion, it is my honor and privilege to serve. 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. There has been wide speculation over whether Ahmed will return in January. width: auto !important; Hamtramck Six Hamtramck schools employees are suing the interim superintendent and district, alleging the interim leader has discriminated against them, retaliated when they filed. 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. Section 4: Benefits and Salary of Superintendent and employees greater than $100,000. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. .page .article .comments .fb-comments span, She was promoted to superintendent in 2019-20. At last weeks board meeting, several teachers spoke out about what it has been like with Ahmed as superintendent In 2016, Ahmed was hired to serve as the district'sEnglish language development director. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. 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. 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 .

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