At a recent school board committee meeting, board Vice President Showkat Chowdhury asked when the district would begin a search for a new superintendent. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. Do they deserve it? Felix Chow is a Superintendent at Hamtramck Public Schools based in Hamtramck, Michigan. 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. Hamtramck Six Hamtramck schools employees are suing the interim superintendent and district, alleging the interim leader has discriminated against them, retaliated when they filed. Teachers have spoken out at school board meetings to criticize Ahmeds leadership. 2K followers . 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. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. 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.. Please consider a gift today to help shine a light on government through independent journalism. Ahmeds evaluations for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years were highly effective, the highest possible rating, the suitalleges. Ahmeds leave took many in the district by surprise. 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. Nabil Nagi. 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. About Bridge Academy East. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. She received the highest possible performance rating from evaluations since she became superintendent in 2019, something the lawsuit points out. Hamtramck Public Schools will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. It is strange that people quitting after school year started. Ahmeds gross pay was $176,750 in 2020-21; she was appointed superintendent in July 2019. Jaleelah Ahmad and the Hamtramck School District are still currently embroiled in a Federal Civil Rights Act lawsuit the are defending in U.S. District Court in Detroit pending before Judge Stephen Murphy III. 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. First Yemeni-American Superintendent of Schools in the United States Detroit Metropolitan Area. She said the stresses of the pandemic has caused her to prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well-being. The Hamtramck High School building. She is a native Detroiter who grew up listening to news and music programming on Detroit Public Radio. .page .article .comments .fb-comments { Relations between the district and Ahmed werent always sour. Sherry Lynem, the districts chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. 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. Photo: Hassan Abbas/The Arab American News. Thank you for your understanding and compassion, it is my honor and privilege to serve. 115 Construction Superintendent Jobs in Hamtramck, MI hiring now with salary from $61,000 to $123,000 hiring now. Board members like Major supported Ahmeds efforts in 2020 to promote a millage to construct a new elementary school, a proposal later defeated by voters. Hamtramck Public Schools will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. (function($) {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. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. She was very serious about that. "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.". Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p. The nature of the investigation has not been made public by the district. A lot of the teachers have left HPS. What was better before that has gone worse in last couple of years? In the meantime, the board has authorized Nagi to lead contract negotiations with district employees, including teachers. from . Your email address will not be published. But there were some who spoke favorably of Ahmed. Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. going backwards from our best years In what way? Ahmed is asking a judge to issue an injunction prohibitingtermination of her employment, back payand damages for mental anguish and emotional distress. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Unlike many news organizations, we made a choice to keep all of our independent, investigative reporting free and available for everyone in our community. Support staffs seem to be quitting as well. Employees shall not discuss the employment circumstances of Superintendent Ahmed with anyone unless cleared by Lynem or Nagi. Menhem Aouad. "At Hamtramck Public Schools, we are committed to providing high-quality education services that our families deserve. Comments (-1) Board President Salah Hadwan replied: "Well, we're still in an investigation.". 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. This year, Niczay was rehired by the district as a consultant, performing some of Ahmeds prior duties. It was disappointing to read the names (some familiar) of so many young teachers who left HPS recently. The Hamtramck school board voted 4-2 in favor of the suspension of superintendent Paul Stamatakis. 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. 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 is also asking for back pay, though she has been on paid leave since October. By Charles Sercombe 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. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. 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. It is unclear if this suit relates in any way to the alleged investigation cited in the article. As of Feb. 28, the school districts website did not recognize Ahmed in any role. 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. About Neither Ahmed nor Imbrunone have spoken on the matter. They complained, sometimes bitterly, of their management style, and the many job transfers they imposed on staffmembers. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. 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. Her announcement was made public on the HPS Facebook page on Tuesday. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. The lawsuit is seeking to prevent the board from continually extending Ahmeds leave and stop her from returning to work. Ahmed is the first Yemeni-American to be appointed as superintendent of the Hamtramck School District. 08 Nov 2022 By The Yemeni American News The topic of banning explicit books in school districts has now made its way to Hamtramck. 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. 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 .page .article .comments .fb-comments iframe { A mass exodus of teachers from the school district took place under Ahmeds term last year. Hamtramck Public Schools Jul 2019 - Present 3 years 8 months. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. Decided December 22, 1986. 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. This statement doesnt say much. Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan breaking news. Terms of Use | Online Privacy Policy. 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. Your email address will not be published. By Charles Sercombe Her director of human resources, Michelle Imbrunone, also took a medical leave of absence in October. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the districts Facebook page. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? Join us for an Open Forum! 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. Join to view profile Hamtramck School District . She pointed to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the reason she needs to focus on her physical and mental health right now. 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. This Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. display: block !important; She declined further comment. Some teachers and administrators said transfers made no sense and felt punitive against those who had raised concerns over work conditions during the pandemic. 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. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. 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. Hamtramcks acting superintendent Nabil Nagi did not respond to an email seeking comment on Ahmeds status. The information was contained in the districts response to a Freedom of Information Act request. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. 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. | HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. "We attempted unsuccessfully to pass a bond in 1997. 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. Something must not be going right. One teacher said that, since Ahmed became superintendent, the district has been going backwards from our best years. 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. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. Over 20 teachers, administrators and staff members have resigned since last June. 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. It also said it was running an investigation on the matter, but has not given any details on that investigation. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. In an unexpected move, Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed has taken a leave of absence. max-width: none !important; Hamtramck schools embrace community initiatives, gear for Census count . Simon Albaugh covers Hamtramck for the Yemeni American News. Nor is it easy to be openly vulnerable with you. 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". HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: Well, were still in an investigation. } Why is it that nothing was reported about the teachers resigning until now? She was promoted to superintendent in 2019-20. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. Another falsehood claimed that the teacher resignations during the 2021-2022 school year were caused by or related to Ahmeds involuntary transfer decisions. We offer Arabic education, after school programs, tutoring, and more! Here are the top scams of 2022, totaling $8.8 billion in losses, Three Ramadan Nights activities to attract thousands of visitors to Dearborn. 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. Argued May 7, 1986. School district fell short retaining them. A poll suggested that some 50 percent of teachers considered leaving the district for other jobs. 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. Superintendent at Hamtramck Public Schools . 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. Definition of Terms 2020-2021 School . Recently, the board voted not to renew Imbrunones contract with the district. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p, Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022. Mobile app for news, photos and video on the go. 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 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. "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. In a letter to the Hamtramck community posted on Facebook this week by Hamtramck Public Schools, Ahmed announced she was stepping away. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. Posted Feb. 11, 2022. 2021 Salaries and Benefits over $100k. She was expected to return in January, but did not, with no explanation from the district. Ahmed has been superintendent since 2019. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? Print Edition Hamtramck, MI 48212 INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT Nabil Nagi Phone: 313.591.7400 Fax: 313.284.6094 Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm. Hamtramck Public Schools ( HPS) is a public school district based in the city of Hamtramck, Michigan ( USA) in Greater Detroit . Her announcement was made public on the HPS Facebook page on Tuesday. 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. Ahmed alleges the board membersappeared at her office individually and in groups to demand the dismissal of a human resources director and other employees. Jaleelah AhmedSuperintendent of SchoolsPhone: 313.591.7413Fax: 313.432.8409. I have no idea about the happenings in school this year. It said: Section 5: Miscellaneous. Ahmed initially took a medical leave back on October, citing the stress she endured during the Covid pandemic. The district has so far not given any details on why Ahmed never returned from that leave. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. 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. Sherry Lynem, the district's 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). 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. [1] As of 2011 the official graduation rate is 62%. Abdul Hussain, a parent, said that for two years we found unity. |. Her leave of absence also comes at a time of turmoil in the district. 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. Coral, who is a teacher, says policies that made teachers feel unwelcome exacerbated the teacher shortage and crisis that the district is facing. After questions from residents and local media, the board said it had extended her leave, but did not explain why. Ahmed and the school district are being represented by Michael D. Weaver of the Plunkett Cooney law firm. This content is only available to subscribers. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Here is Ahmeds letter to the community that was posted on the districts Facebook page announcing her leave: The board has two other members, DazShavon Hall and Jihan Aiyash, who were not named in the lawsuit. Audit Reports 2017-2018. . Some of those who left have since returned while Ahmed and Imbrunone were on leave. The City will go bankrupt or lose the vital protection of our First Responders if they do not pass their millage request. Join us for an Open Forum! 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.
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