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. The school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 72% over five school years. Bridge Academy East (PreK-5th) 9600 Buffalo St. Hamtramck, MI 48212. This year, Niczay was rehired by the district as a consultant, performing some of Ahmeds prior duties. Felix Chow is a Superintendent at Hamtramck Public Schools based in Hamtramck, Michigan. They were named to replace Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed at a school board meeting Wednesday. chaotic whats chaotic? 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. A lot of the teachers have left HPS. 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. Superintendent Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed cites the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the reason behind her decision to take a temporary leave of absence. Ahmed alleges the board membersappeared at her office individually and in groups to demand the dismissal of a human resources director and other employees. Coral, who is a teacher, says policies that made teachers feel unwelcome exacerbated the teacher shortage and crisis that the district is facing. That desire was underlying each of the decisions she made," Lusk said. 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. 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. They complained, sometimes bitterly, of their management style, and the many job transfers they imposed on staffmembers. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. Bridge Academy West West (6-8th) 3105 Carpenter Ave. 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. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective. Did anyone press those teachers for more details? "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.". Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? 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. 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. Sherry Lynem, the districts chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. Hamtramck Federation of Teachers President Toni Coral says she wishes Ahmed well, but there is a lot of work to do in the district. Terms of Use | Online Privacy Policy. Do they deserve it? 1K followers 500+ connections. Required fields are marked *. Nabil Nagi Interim Superintendent. A. ) Ahmed's gross pay was $176,750 in 2020-21; she was appointed superintendent in July 2019. 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 district's Facebook page. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. HPS Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed is under an investigation while on extended leave from her job. 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. Michigan is home to the top-ranked public square in the entire U.S. She claims she was terminated while she was on leave. She was expected to return in January, but did not, with no explanation from the district. Interim Superintendent & ELD Director at Hamtramck School District Hamtramck, Michigan, United States. 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. 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. The Review obtained a copy of the district email directing employees not to contact Ahmed. Ahmed was appointed as superintendent about two years ago, replacing longtime superintendent Tom Niczay, who retired. 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. Audit Reports 2017-2018. . Hamtramck Public Schools did not incur a deficit during the 2020-21 Fiscal Year. By Charles Sercombe Interim Superintendent. By Nargis Rahman - YAN - Hamtramck. These transfers were made to improve the educational opportunities of Hamtramck Schools students, Lusk said, but triggered demands from school board members and the union forAhmed to firethe district's Human Resources director,MichelleImbrunone. 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. Employees shall not discuss the employment circumstances of Superintendent Ahmed with anyone unless cleared by Lynem or Nagi. We're really reaching out to the community to . 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. The district has the Schools of Choice program, which allows non-district students to enroll in district schools. 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. .page .article .comments .fb-comments { "She has a contract with Hamtramck. In the last year, over 20 teachers and administrators opted to resign and take jobs with other districts in protest of the management decisions. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. 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. David Melkus for the plaintiff. It seems like it would be big news. "At Hamtramck Public Schools, we are committed to providing high-quality education services that our families deserve. Ahmed notified district officials on Oct. 11, 2021, that she would stop performing her duties as superintendent until Jan. 10, 2022. The information was contained in the districts response to a Freedom of Information Act request. 2). Major, a school board trustee, said on Tuesday the board has not had an opportunity to meet to discuss the allegations inthe lawsuit. 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. HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. WDET is a community service of Wayne State University. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. 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". The Hamtramck High School building. My kids in HPS virtual academy. At a recent school board committee meeting, board Vice President Showkat Chowdhury asked when the district would begin a search for a new superintendent. She declined further comment. Local. Hamtramck Public School District . 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. Posted Feb. 11, 2022. 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. Posted Oct. 22, 2021. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. 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. The district, including interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi, has been extremely tight-lipped on the circumstances surrounding Ahmeds leave of absence. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. In an unexpected move, Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed has taken a leave of absence. It is unclear if this suit relates in any way to the alleged investigation cited in the article. Another falsehood claimed that the teacher resignations during the 2021-2022 school year were caused by or related to Ahmeds involuntary transfer decisions. By Charles Sercombe The suit also says that the previous superintendent, Thomas Niczay, had made involuntary transfers in the past, with no repercussions. 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. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Print Edition 2K followers . Ahmed has been receiving pay during her absence, as she is still under contract with the district, which has not officially terminated that contract. A poll suggested that some 50 percent of teachers considered leaving the district for other jobs. Plunkett Cooney, a Detroit law firm, defends Ms. Ahmed and the district. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. Hadwan didnt explain the nature of the investigation. Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan breaking news. I must prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well- Do they deserve it? Sherry Lynem, the district's chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. She was promoted to superintendent in 2019-20. The lawsuit is seeking to prevent the board from continually extending Ahmeds leave and stop her from returning to work. 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. Here is Ahmeds letter to the community that was posted on the districts Facebook page announcing her leave: Simon Albaugh covers Hamtramck for the Yemeni American News. 75897, 75901, (Calendar No. Unlike many news organizations, we made a choice to keep all of our independent, investigative reporting free and available for everyone in our community. 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. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. Michigan Capitol Confidential is a nonprofit news service published by the Mackinac Center and funded entirely through voluntary support. Hamtramck Public Schools Administration; Hamtramck Public Schools Administration. .page .article .comments .fb-comments span, Ahmeds evaluations for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years were highly effective, the highest possible rating, the suitalleges. 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. 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. 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. It is also unknown whether if the two are still on the districts payroll. 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. News, views and interviews from the Arab world and the Arab American community. Your email address will not be published. She pointed to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the reason she needs to focus on her physical and mental health right now. Her announcement was made public on the HPS Facebook page on Tuesday. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: "Well, we're still in an investigation.". 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. Both Ahmed and Imbrunone came under intense criticism from teachers and administrators after they took their leaves of absence. Your email address will not be published. About Bridge Academy East. Your email address will not be published. Throughout the pandemic, I have continually reinforced that the well-being of our school community is the districts primary concern. 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. 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.. Mobile app for news, photos and video on the go. 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. Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up Flyer. Join us for an Open Forum! Hamtramck Public Schools will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? Posted: Saturday 06.04.2022 9:07 pm Revised: Friday 06.10.2022 9:07 pm The purpose of my page is to explore educational topics and share progress about my journey as the. Photo: Hassan Abbas/The Arab American News. 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 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. In an unexpected move, Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed has taken a leave of absence. The decision, to temporarily step aside, was not entered into lightly. At last weeks board meeting, several teachers spoke out about what it has been like with Ahmed as superintendent from . Recently, the board voted not to renew Imbrunones contract with the district. Nabil Nagi, the districts English Language Director, and Sherry Lynem, the districts Chief Financial Officer, were appointed to share the duties of superintendent. Wish there was a way to stay informed! 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. 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. Nabil Nagi. File photo, By Charles Sercombe Ahmed has been superintendent since 2019. Hamtramck Public Schools Jul 2019 - Present 3 years 8 months. You could win a $20 gift card in the raffle! A mass exodus of teachers from the school district took place under Ahmeds term last year. 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. 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. We wish Ms. Ahmed the best during her leave of absence. In an interview, Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi spoke . Hamtramck Public Schools ( HPS) is a public school district based in the city of Hamtramck, Michigan ( USA) in Greater Detroit . HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. There is little doubt the school district suffers from a bit of turmoil at this time with all the staff turnover. 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). You could win a $20 gift card in the raffle! The board met last Wednesday and accepted her request for a leave. "We attempted unsuccessfully to pass a bond in 1997. 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. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. going backwards from our best years In what way? Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? | According to district records, Ahmed has been collecting regular paychecks the entire time she has been off the job. 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. [1] As of 2011 the official graduation rate is 62%. Support staffs seem to be quitting as well. About Hamtramck, MI 48212 INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT Nabil Nagi Phone: 313.591.7400 Fax: 313.284.6094 Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm. 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. Why is it that nothing was reported about the teachers resigning until now? Jaleelah Ahmed, Superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools, Hamtramck, Michigan. As of Feb. 28, the school districts website did not recognize Ahmed in any role. Here are the top scams of 2022, totaling $8.8 billion in losses, Three Ramadan Nights activities to attract thousands of visitors to Dearborn. 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. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. Definition of Terms 2020-2021 School . It was disappointing to read the names (some familiar) of so many young teachers who left HPS recently. Ahmed and the school district are being represented by Michael D. Weaver of the Plunkett Cooney law firm. 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. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. Hassan Abbas I have no idea about the happenings in school this year. 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. That job included improving English language proficiency and academic performance. 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. Unlimited access to subscriber only articles on desktop, tablet and mobile web. Join to view profile Hamtramck School District . Section 5: Miscellaneous. Ahmed, like so many other school superintendents, has had added responsibilities and burdens while overseeing the district during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are being sued by former school district employee Christina Adamczyk. 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. Apply for A Construction Superintendent jobs that are part time, remote, internships, junior and senior level. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Supreme Court of Michigan. The Hamtramck school board voted 4-2 in favor of the suspension of superintendent Paul Stamatakis. Something must not be going right. Felix received a bachelor's degree degree from Inter-American University and a master of business administration ( M. B. 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. } Obaid credited Niczay for steering the schools to a financially healthy position after the district was in deficit. 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. Director of Innovative Programming. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the districts Facebook page. Ahmed is also asking for back pay, though she has been on paid leave since October. Argued May 7, 1986. 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. She did not say what specific ailment she has. 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. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. Newsletters on topics that interest you most. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. Please consider a gift today to help shine a light on government through independent journalism. 2023 Mackinac Center for Public Policy width: 100% !important; 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. Menhem Aouad. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: Well, were still in an investigation. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. (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. Hamtramck School Dist. Hamtramck, MI . Her contract ran through June 30, 2024. Comments (-1) 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. Required fields are marked *. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. That focus is also the primary reason I was able to identify that I needed additional support at this time. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. All Rights Reserved. She said the stresses of the pandemic has caused her to prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well-being. "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.

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