Thats a significant loss to a system with only around 200 teachers and like many districts already dealing with a shortage of teachers. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. She claims she was terminated while she was on leave. MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST January 20, 2004 - Mackinac Center Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective. It seems like it would be big news. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. 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. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. How to pronounce Hamtramck | HowToPronounce.com Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. Your email address will not be published. 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. "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. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. Copyright 2022 by WDET and Wayne State University. Ahmed is allowed to remain on paid leave for up to 60 days. 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. 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. Hamtramck School Dist. | The Hamtramck school board voted 4-2 in favor of the suspension of superintendent Paul Stamatakis. margin: 0 -8px !important; 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. 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. 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). 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 Public Schools did not incur a deficit during the 2020-21 Fiscal Year. .page .article .comments .fb-comments span, Supreme Court of Michigan. 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. The district has so far not given any details on why Ahmed never returned from that leave. Jaleelah Ahmed, Superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools, Hamtramck, Michigan. She is a native Detroiter who grew up listening to news and music programming on Detroit Public Radio. Ahmed has been superintendent since 2019. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. The district responded by stripping her of school building and communications access codes, keys and pass cards. This content is only available to subscribers. Simon Albaugh covers Hamtramck for the Yemeni American News. There has been wide speculation over whether Ahmed will return in January. Ahmed has been receiving pay during her absence, as she is still under contract with the district, which has not officially terminated that contract. Employees shall not discuss the employment circumstances of Superintendent Ahmed with anyone unless cleared by Lynem or Nagi. About Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. 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). Did anyone press those teachers for more details? Hadwan didnt explain the nature of the investigation. The information was contained in the districts response to a Freedom of Information Act request. Unlike many news organizations, we made a choice to keep all of our independent, investigative reporting free and available for everyone in our community. Hamtramck Public Schools Administration; Hamtramck Public Schools Administration. The Review obtained a copy of the district email directing employees not to contact Ahmed. Argued May 7, 1986. 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. The suit also says that the previous superintendent, Thomas Niczay, had made involuntary transfers in the past, with no repercussions. Ahmed is also asking for back pay, though she has been on paid leave since October. 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. The school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 72% over five school years. I have no idea about the happenings in school this year. Do they deserve it? Unlimited access to subscriber only articles on desktop, tablet and mobile web. 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. Previously, Felix was a Superintendent at Anderson Commun ity School Corporation. Teachers speak out on schools superintendent | Hamtramck Review Toni Coral, president of theHamtramck Federation of Teachers, said Thursday the lawsuit had been sent to attorneys to review. She received the highest possible performance rating from evaluations since she became superintendent in 2019, something the lawsuit points out. 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. 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. Nabil Nagi, who is the interim Superintendent for Hamtramck Public Schools released a statement on Friday, November 4th addressing this matter. Hassan Abbas Hamtramck Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed talks bond proposal going backwards from our best years In what way? Felix Chow - Superintendent - Hamtramck Public Schools | ZoomInfo The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print paper, every day. 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. Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi earlier told The Review that he does not discuss personnel issues. 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. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. It also says that the board members and teachers union falsely instructed teachers that it was necessary for them not to contact Ahmed during her leave. Hamtramck Public School District / Homepage | 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 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. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the district's Facebook page. By Charles Sercombe Mind sharing? Her suit asks that she receive front-pay in case the district does successfully terminate her. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. Join us for an Open Forum! 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. Nabil Nagi, the districts English Language Director, and Sherry Lynem, the districts Chief Financial Officer, were appointed to share the duties of superintendent. 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. Nabil Nagi Interim Superintendent. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! First Yemeni-American Superintendent of Schools in the United States Detroit Metropolitan Area. Ahmed alleges the board membersappeared at her office individually and in groups to demand the dismissal of a human resources director and other employees. There is little doubt the school district suffers from a bit of turmoil at this time with all the staff turnover. By Nargis Rahman - YAN - Hamtramck. from . In 2016, Ahmed was hired to serve as the district'sEnglish language development director. Hamtramck Public Schools - Wikipedia There was a lot of teachers who were kind of dissatisfied with Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmeds leadership, Albaugh says. She was very serious about that. Why is it that nothing was reported about the teachers resigning until now? Hamtramck school leader sued for discrimination against older women 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. } Decided December 22, 1986. Menhem Aouad Director of Student Services. 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. 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. Nor is it easy to be openly vulnerable with you. The board met last Wednesday and accepted her request for a leave. Ahmeds evaluations for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years were highly effective, the highest possible rating, the suitalleges. 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. Obaid credited Niczay for steering the schools to a financially healthy position after the district was in deficit. Your email address will not be published. Teachers have spoken out at school board meetings to criticize Ahmeds leadership. max-width: none !important; 08 Nov 2022 By The Yemeni American News The topic of banning explicit books in school districts has now made its way to Hamtramck. David Melkus for the plaintiff. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: Well, were still in an investigation. 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. Superintendent / Home "We attempted unsuccessfully to pass a bond in 1997. Jaleelah AhmedSuperintendent of SchoolsPhone: 313.591.7413Fax: 313.432.8409. Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.