Unlimited access to subscriber only articles on desktop, tablet and mobile web. 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. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the district's Facebook page. Required fields are marked *. She was very serious about that. Posted Feb. 11, 2022. Please consider a gift today to help shine a light on government through independent journalism. Felix Chow is a Superintendent at Hamtramck Public Schools based in Hamtramck, Michigan. Director of Innovative Programming. 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. Teachers have spoken out at school board meetings to criticize Ahmeds leadership. 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 information was contained in the districts response to a Freedom of Information Act request. Supreme Court of Michigan. 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. 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. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. All Rights Reserved. This content is only available to subscribers. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. He says divisions over the districts return to school policies heightened problems that already existed. 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 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). Your email address will not be published. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? 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. The board has not said whether Imbrunone remains on leave, or is still with the district. This Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. That desire was underlying each of the decisions she made," Lusk said. Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi earlier told The Review that he does not discuss personnel issues. Donate Something must not be going right. It seems like it would be big news. There has been wide speculation over whether Ahmed will return in January. 775 likes. Some of those who left have since returned while Ahmed and Imbrunone were on leave. Hamtramcks acting superintendent Nabil Nagi did not respond to an email seeking comment on Ahmeds status. My kids in HPS virtual academy. Hamtramck, MI 48212 INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT Nabil Nagi Phone: 313.591.7400 Fax: 313.284.6094 Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm. 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. } 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 If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. max-width: none !important; }. Apply for A Construction Superintendent jobs that are part time, remote, internships, junior and senior level. A lot of the teachers have left HPS. 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. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today. 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. It said: Coral, who is a teacher, says policies that made teachers feel unwelcome exacerbated the teacher shortage and crisis that the district is facing. 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. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. 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.. Annotate this Case 426 Mich. 678 (1986) 397 N.W.2d 770 TOMIAK v. HAMTRAMCK SCHOOL DISTRICT Docket Nos. 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. 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. Bridge Academy East (PreK-5th) 9600 Buffalo St. Hamtramck, MI 48212. 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. | Do they deserve it? David Melkus for the plaintiff. The City will go bankrupt or lose the vital protection of our First Responders if they do not pass their millage request. About Bridge Academy East. 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. "We attempted unsuccessfully to pass a bond in 1997. Michigan is home to the top-ranked public square in the entire U.S. At a recent school board committee meeting, board Vice President Showkat Chowdhury asked when the district would begin a search for a new superintendent. Nabil Nagi, interim superintendent, said the district wasunable to provide information or comment on legal matters. Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan breaking news. In an unexpected move, Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed has taken a leave of absence. Join us for an Open Forum! 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. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p. The district has so far not given any details on why Ahmed never returned from that leave. Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. 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. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. Hamtramck Public Schools Administration; Hamtramck Public Schools Administration. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. A mass exodus of teachers from the school district took place under Ahmeds term last year. The decision, to temporarily step aside, was not entered into lightly. Interim Superintendent. As of Feb. 28, the school districts website did not recognize Ahmed in any role. 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. That job included improving English language proficiency and academic performance. Your email address will not be published. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. Ahmed initially took a medical leave back on October, citing the stress she endured during the Covid pandemic. According to district records, Ahmed has been collecting regular paychecks the entire time she has been off the job. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the districts Facebook page. Hamtramck schools embrace community initiatives, gear for Census count . Hamtramck School Dist. Jaleelah AhmedSuperintendent of SchoolsPhone: 313.591.7413Fax: 313.432.8409. "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.". Ahmed, like so many other school superintendents, has had added responsibilities and burdens while overseeing the district during the COVID-19 pandemic. Posted: Saturday 06.04.2022 9:07 pm Revised: Friday 06.10.2022 9:07 pm Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p, Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022. In the last several months, there have been mass resignations by veteran teachers and staff members. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. WDET is a community service of Wayne State University. Relations between the district and Ahmed werent always sour. 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. Superintendent Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed cites the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the reason behind her decision to take a temporary leave of absence. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. It is unclear if this suit relates in any way to the alleged investigation cited in the article. 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. One teacher said that, since Ahmed became superintendent, the district has been going backwards from our best years. 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. This is not an environment I want to return in, said the teacher. 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. Recently, the board voted not to renew Imbrunones contract with the district. Ahmed alleges the board membersappeared at her office individually and in groups to demand the dismissal of a human resources director and other employees. 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. First Yemeni-American Superintendent of Schools in the United States Detroit Metropolitan Area. A. ) Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). 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. Ahmed was appointed as superintendent about two years ago, replacing longtime superintendent Tom Niczay, who retired. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. 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. Hamtramck, MI . 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. This year, Niczay was rehired by the district as a consultant, performing some of Ahmeds prior duties. Simon Albaugh covers Hamtramck for the Yemeni American News. Abdul Hussain, a parent, said that for two years we found unity. width: 100% !important; 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. Ahmeds evaluations for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years were highly effective, the highest possible rating, the suitalleges. Your email address will not be published. width: auto !important; HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. The district has the Schools of Choice program, which allows non-district students to enroll in district schools. Ahmed is also asking for back pay, though she has been on paid leave since October. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. Argued May 7, 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. We wish Ms. Ahmed the best during her leave of absence. By Charles Sercombe Your email address will not be published. HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. 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. Her announcement was made public on the HPS Facebook page on Tuesday. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. 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. There was a lot of teachers who were kind of dissatisfied with Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmeds leadership, Albaugh says. (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. The board has two other members, DazShavon Hall and Jihan Aiyash, who were not named in the lawsuit. Hamtramck Public Schools will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. chaotic whats chaotic? Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. 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. Plunkett Cooney, a Detroit law firm, defends Ms. Ahmed and the district. Mobile app for news, photos and video on the go. Ahmed has been superintendent since 2019. 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. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. Hamtramck Six Hamtramck schools employees are suing the interim superintendent and district, alleging the interim leader has discriminated against them, retaliated when they filed. Previously, Felix was a Superintendent at Anderson Commun ity School Corporation. I must prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well- Her suit asks that she receive front-pay in case the district does successfully terminate her. About Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. In the last year, over 20 teachers and administrators opted to resign and take jobs with other districts in protest of the management decisions. Dr. Adnan Aabed. She was promoted to superintendent in 2019-20. According to district payroll records, Ahmed was still collecting paychecks as of Feb. 18, 2022. Ahmed notified district officials on Oct. 11, 2021, that she would stop performing her duties as superintendent until Jan. 10, 2022. 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 Board President Salah Hadwan replied: "Well, we're still in an investigation.". In an interview, Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi spoke . Major, a school board trustee, said on Tuesday the board has not had an opportunity to meet to discuss the allegations inthe lawsuit. She told the school board that she will be on leave until Jan. 10. Her leave of absence also comes at a time of turmoil in the district. | 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. Hamtramck Public School District . The Review obtained a copy of the district email directing employees not to contact Ahmed. Ahmed is allowed to remain on paid leave for up to 60 days. Employees shall not discuss the employment circumstances of Superintendent Ahmed with anyone unless cleared by Lynem or Nagi. The purpose of my page is to explore educational topics and share progress about my journey as the. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. [1] As of 2011 the official graduation rate is 62%. 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. Bridge Academy East is a free public charter school district serving students in grades K-5th and houses a GSRP preschool program. Section 5: Miscellaneous. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. 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. Ahmeds gross pay was $176,750 in 2020-21; she was appointed superintendent in July 2019. Ahmed is the first Yemeni-American to be appointed as superintendent of the Hamtramck School District. 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. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print paper, every day. 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. Ahmed and the school district are being represented by Michael D. Weaver of the Plunkett Cooney law firm. All rights reserved. Ahmed's gross pay was $176,750 in 2020-21; she was appointed superintendent in July 2019. 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. 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 News, views and interviews from the Arab world and the Arab American community. 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. Her contract ran through June 30, 2024. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. 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. 2). Wish there was a way to stay informed! Throughout the pandemic, I have continually reinforced that the well-being of our school community is the districts primary concern. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective. 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. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. They are being sued by former school district employee Christina Adamczyk. Local. 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. 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. 2021 Salaries and Benefits over $100k. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. 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). There is little doubt the school district suffers from a bit of turmoil at this time with all the staff turnover. Audit Reports 2017-2018. . This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p, Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022. 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 has a contract with Hamtramck. 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. 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. 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. Thank you for your understanding and compassion, it is my honor and privilege to serve. 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 will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. HPS Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed is under an investigation while on extended leave from her job. School district fell short retaining them. The Hamtramck High School building. being. Mind sharing? Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. In 2016, Ahmed was hired to serve as the district'sEnglish language development director. 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 school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 72% over five school years. Interim Superintendent & ELD Director at Hamtramck School District Hamtramck, Michigan, United States. Sherry Lynem, the district's chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. 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.
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