75897, 75901, (Calendar No. chaotic whats chaotic? 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. Neither Ahmed nor Imbrunone have spoken on the matter. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. But there were some who spoke favorably of Ahmed. 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. You could win a $20 gift card in the raffle! 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. 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. That job included improving English language proficiency and academic performance. 2021 Salaries and Benefits over $100k. Do they deserve it? Posted Oct. 15, 2021. "We attempted unsuccessfully to pass a bond in 1997. HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. The board has not said whether Imbrunone remains on leave, or is still with the district. Your email address will not be published. Menhem Aouad. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. 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 . WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. This statement doesnt say much. Required fields are marked *. Hadwan didnt explain the nature of the investigation. 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. 08 Nov 2022 By The Yemeni American News The topic of banning explicit books in school districts has now made its way to Hamtramck. Another teacher said that there was no confidence in the leadership, and that the district was not prepared to start up the new school year with in-classroom teaching. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. 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. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. According to district records, Ahmed has been collecting regular paychecks the entire time she has been off the job. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. Nor is it easy to be openly vulnerable with you. By Nargis Rahman - YAN - Hamtramck. 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. Hamtramck Public Schools will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. Copyright 2022 by WDET and Wayne State University. Sherry Lynem, the district's chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. 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. 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. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? 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. At a recent school board committee meeting, board Vice President Showkat Chowdhury asked when the district would begin a search for a new superintendent. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. 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. 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. Bridge Academy East (PreK-5th) 9600 Buffalo St. Hamtramck, MI 48212. 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. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. Exclusive podcasts from our top journalists. The City will go bankrupt or lose the vital protection of our First Responders if they do not pass their millage request. Your email address will not be published. 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. Recently, the board voted not to renew Imbrunones contract with the district. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. News, analysis and scores on Detroit and Michigan sports teams. Superintendent Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed cites the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the reason behind her decision to take a temporary leave of absence. 775 likes. In a letter to the Hamtramck community posted on Facebook this week by Hamtramck Public Schools, Ahmed announced she was stepping away. Your email address will not be published. About Bridge Academy East. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). A lot of the teachers have left HPS. Over 20 teachers, administrators and staff members have resigned since last June. Posted Feb. 11, 2022. All rights reserved. Hamtramck Public Schools ( HPS) is a public school district based in the city of Hamtramck, Michigan ( USA) in Greater Detroit . Hassan Abbas This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. 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. Ahmed alleges the board membersappeared at her office individually and in groups to demand the dismissal of a human resources director and other employees. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective. Unlimited access to subscriber only articles on desktop, tablet and mobile web. 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. Apply for A Construction Superintendent jobs that are part time, remote, internships, junior and senior level. Photo: Hassan Abbas/The Arab American News. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. HPS News. 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. 2K followers . Without more details, this word doesnt convey much. 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. They complained, sometimes bitterly, of their management style, and the many job transfers they imposed on staffmembers. Section 4: Benefits and Salary of Superintendent and employees greater than $100,000. The nature of the investigation has not been made public by the district. Section 5: Miscellaneous. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! 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. Why is it that nothing was reported about the teachers resigning until now? Her suit asks that she receive front-pay in case the district does successfully terminate her. Wish there was a way to stay informed! At last weeks board meeting, several teachers spoke out about what it has been like with Ahmed as superintendent |. Ahmed also alleges school board members and the teacher's unionprovided falseinformation to local media which "ran articles impugning her professional reputation" and that false information was posted by the teachers unions on itsFacebook account impugning herprofessional reputation. Join us for an Open Forum! Hamtramck, MI 48212 INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT Nabil Nagi Phone: 313.591.7400 Fax: 313.284.6094 Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. Ahmed was appointed as superintendent about two years ago, replacing longtime superintendent Tom Niczay, who retired. You could win a $20 gift card in the raffle! 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. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p, Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022. Hamtramck Public School District . Her contract ran through June 30, 2024. 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. 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. Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. Felix received a bachelor's degree degree from Inter-American University and a master of business administration ( M. B. Supreme Court of Michigan. Hamtramck schools embrace community initiatives, gear for Census count . She claims she was terminated while she was on leave. 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. Mind sharing? Join us for an Open Forum! File photo, By Charles Sercombe It seems like it would be big news. The Hamtramck High School building. This year, Niczay was rehired by the district as a consultant, performing some of Ahmeds prior duties. Nabil Nagi, the districts English Language Director, and Sherry Lynem, the districts Chief Financial Officer, were appointed to share the duties of superintendent. Argued May 7, 1986. One teacher said that, since Ahmed became superintendent, the district has been going backwards from our best years. As of Feb. 28, the school districts website did not recognize Ahmed in any role. Ahmed and the district also face litigation from a former middle school vice principal. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. The Hamtramck school board voted 4-2 in favor of the suspension of superintendent Paul Stamatakis. Mobile app for news, photos and video on the go. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. First Yemeni-American Superintendent of Schools in the United States Detroit Metropolitan Area. In the meantime, the board has authorized Nagi to lead contract negotiations with district employees, including teachers. Hamtramck Public Schools did not incur a deficit during the 2020-21 Fiscal Year. 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. Ahmeds leave took many in the district by surprise. Nabil Nagi, who is the interim Superintendent for Hamtramck Public Schools released a statement on Friday, November 4th addressing this matter. The board has two other members, DazShavon Hall and Jihan Aiyash, who were not named in the lawsuit. 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. 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. It is against that backdrop that I am writing to inform you that I will be taking a temporary leave of absence to address my own personal well-being. 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. That desire was underlying each of the decisions she made," Lusk said. The information was contained in the districts response to a Freedom of Information Act request. Here is Ahmeds letter to the community that was posted on the districts Facebook page announcing her leave: HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. They were named to replace Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed at a school board meeting Wednesday. 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. Ahmeds evaluations for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years were highly effective, the highest possible rating, the suitalleges. That focus is also the primary reason I was able to identify that I needed additional support at this time. Jaleelah Ahmed filed a 38-page lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Detroit on May 23, alleging five of the seven school board members,Evan Major, Salah Hadwan, Moortadha Obaid, Showkat Chowdhury andRegan Watson and theHamtramck Federation Teachers conspiredto terminate her employment over teacher transfer complaints and other matters. By Charles Sercombe In 2016, Ahmed was hired to serve as the district'sEnglish language development director. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. At least 28 people have resigned since the start of the school year, including 12 teachers at Dickinson East Elementary who quit recently. Hamtramcks acting superintendent Nabil Nagi did not respond to an email seeking comment on Ahmeds status. 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. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the district's Facebook page. | 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 board met last Wednesday and accepted her request for a leave. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Sherry Lynem, the districts chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents.