First Yemeni-American Superintendent of Schools in the United States Detroit Metropolitan Area. 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. 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. You could win a $20 gift card in the raffle! Hamtramck Public School District . By Nargis Rahman - YAN - Hamtramck. The former superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools is suing the school district, five members of its school board andits teacher's union, alleging a conspiracy to oust her,defamation and violations offederal discrimination laws. Without more details, this word doesnt convey much. (function($) {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. Abdul Hussain, a parent, said that for two years we found unity. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX / Home In a letter to the Hamtramck community posted on Facebook this week by Hamtramck Public Schools, Ahmed announced she was stepping away. Simon Albaugh covers Hamtramck for the Yemeni American News. Both Ahmed and Imbrunone came under intense criticism from teachers and administrators after they took their leaves of absence. Something must not be going right. A lot of the teachers have left HPS. Hassan Abbas Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. Apply for A Construction Superintendent jobs that are part time, remote, internships, junior and senior level. In the last several months, there have been mass resignations by veteran teachers and staff members. Do they deserve it? Menhem Aouad. A. ) After questions from residents and local media, the board said it had extended her leave, but did not explain why. Throughout the pandemic, I have continually reinforced that the well-being of our school community is the districts primary concern. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the districts Facebook page. 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. 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. You could win a $20 gift card in the raffle! 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 board has not said whether Imbrunone remains on leave, or is still with the district. Your email address will not be published. Over 20 teachers, administrators and staff members have resigned since last June. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: Well, were still in an investigation. Teachers have spoken out at school board meetings to criticize Ahmeds leadership. About Us - Bridge Academy East Newsletters on topics that interest you most. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. 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. Michigan Capitol Confidential is a nonprofit news service published by the Mackinac Center and funded entirely through voluntary support. Section 4: Benefits and Salary of Superintendent and employees greater than $100,000. Hamtramck Public Schools did not incur a deficit during the 2020-21 Fiscal Year. It is strange that people quitting after school year started. HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. | Major, a school board trustee, said on Tuesday the board has not had an opportunity to meet to discuss the allegations inthe lawsuit. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. chaotic whats chaotic? The suit also says that the previous superintendent, Thomas Niczay, had made involuntary transfers in the past, with no repercussions. 2). width: 100% !important; 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. In 2016, Ahmed was hired to serve as the district'sEnglish language development director. Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. HPS Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed is under an investigation while on extended leave from her job. She claims she was terminated while she was on leave. Annual Amount Spent on Lobbying -- Not Applicable ($0) Bridge Academy East is a free public charter school district serving students in grades K-5th and houses a GSRP preschool program. 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. Bridge Academy East (PreK-5th) 9600 Buffalo St. Hamtramck, MI 48212. She said the stresses of the pandemic has caused her to prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well-being. News, analysis and scores on Detroit and Michigan sports teams. Unlike many news organizations, we made a choice to keep all of our independent, investigative reporting free and available for everyone in our community. Sherry Lynem, the districts chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. In an unexpected move, Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed has taken a leave of absence. According to district records, Ahmed has been collecting regular paychecks the entire time she has been off the job. Hamtramck Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed accuses board members Hamtramck Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed talks bond proposal Decided December 22, 1986. Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi earlier told The Review that he does not discuss personnel issues. The district has the Schools of Choice program, which allows non-district students to enroll in district schools. The board met last Wednesday and accepted her request for a leave. 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. }. It said: 75897, 75901, (Calendar No. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. Another falsehood claimed that the teacher resignations during the 2021-2022 school year were caused by or related to Ahmeds involuntary transfer decisions. File photo, By Charles Sercombe Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Anyone in the loop? The Hamtramck High School building. Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed - Superintendent of Schools - Hamtramck Public 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 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. Print Edition 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). Thank you for your understanding and compassion, it is my honor and privilege to serve. 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. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up Flyer. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. Q&A with Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed 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 teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. My kids in HPS virtual academy. This Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. By Charles Sercombe 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. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p, Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p. Wish there was a way to stay informed! Ahmed and the school district are being represented by Michael D. Weaver of the Plunkett Cooney law firm. 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.