2023 Mackinac Center for Public Policy Anyone in the loop? Newsletters on topics that interest you most. 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. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. It seems like it would be big news. 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. Plunkett Cooney, a Detroit law firm, defends Ms. Ahmed and the district. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? Hamtramck Public Schools Jul 2019 - Present 3 years 8 months. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! [1] As of 2011 the official graduation rate is 62%. Something must not be going right. Exclusive podcasts from our top journalists. 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. 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. 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. | Nagi Takes Full Interim Superintendent Responsibilities News, views and interviews from the Arab world and the Arab American community. One teacher said that, since Ahmed became superintendent, the district has been going backwards from our best years. Hamtramck school leader sued for discrimination against older women Hadwan didnt explain the nature of the investigation. 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 posted a letter from Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed, in which she explained that the leave is for her own personal well-being during the pandemic. Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p. 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. Nabil Nagi, Ed.S. - ELD Director - Hamtramck School District - LinkedIn .page .article .comments .fb-comments span, Here is Ahmeds letter to the community that was posted on the districts Facebook page announcing her leave: 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. 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, 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. 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. Will you support us? 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. Ahmeds leave took many in the district by surprise. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. David Melkus for the plaintiff. (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. In an unexpected move, Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed has taken a leave of absence. Jaleelah Ahmed, Superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools 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. 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. Ahmed and the district also face litigation from a former middle school vice principal. The suit also says that the previous superintendent, Thomas Niczay, had made involuntary transfers in the past, with no repercussions. Some teachers and administrators said transfers made no sense and felt punitive against those who had raised concerns over work conditions during the pandemic. Simon Albaugh covers Hamtramck for the Yemeni American News. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p, Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022. Election - Hamtramck Public Schools Bond Vote NO Hamtramck Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed talks bond proposal Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX / Home 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. Hamtramck Public Schools ( HPS) is a public school district based in the city of Hamtramck, Michigan ( USA) in Greater Detroit . .page .article .comments .fb-comments { 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. Ahmed is also asking for back pay, though she has been on paid leave since October. The district is also facing allegations it has retaliated against outspoken staff. The district responded by stripping her of school building and communications access codes, keys and pass cards. Coral, who is a teacher, says policies that made teachers feel unwelcome exacerbated the teacher shortage and crisis that the district is facing. Come get answers to your questions about the flu and COVID-19. Required fields are marked *. Section 5: Miscellaneous. Please consider a gift today to help shine a light on government through independent journalism. 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. Here are the top scams of 2022, totaling $8.8 billion in losses, Three Ramadan Nights activities to attract thousands of visitors to Dearborn. Deadline Detroit | Hamtramck puzzle: What sent this school district Over 20 teachers, administrators and staff members have resigned since last June. Dr. Adnan Aabed. Ahmed was appointed as superintendent about two years ago, replacing longtime superintendent Tom Niczay, who retired. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. Section 1.3: Audit. "We attempted unsuccessfully to pass a bond in 1997. Ahmeds gross pay was $176,750 in 2020-21; she was appointed superintendent in July 2019. Hamtramck School District Of The City Of - Public School Review By Nargis Rahman - YAN - Hamtramck. Originally meant to be split between Nagi and Sherry Lynem, the Interim Superintendent position will now be completely filled by Nagi. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. 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. A mass exodus of teachers from the school district took place under Ahmeds term last year. Do they deserve it? My kids in HPS virtual academy. 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. Join to view profile Hamtramck School District . HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. The Review obtained a copy of the district email directing employees not to contact Ahmed. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. 1K followers 500+ connections. 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. A lot of the teachers have left HPS. 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. The school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 72% over five school years. Director of Innovative Programming. Mind sharing? Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan breaking news. There was a lot of teachers who were kind of dissatisfied with Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmeds leadership, Albaugh says. 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. being. Your email address will not be published. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Annotate this Case 426 Mich. 678 (1986) 397 N.W.2d 770 TOMIAK v. HAMTRAMCK SCHOOL DISTRICT Docket Nos. Jaleelah Ahmed and the school district are defendants in a federal whistleblower lawsuit by Christina Adamczyk filed by attorney Gary Miotke that pends in federal court. First Yemeni-American Superintendent of Schools in the United States Detroit Metropolitan Area. "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. Hamtramck Federation of Teachers President Toni Coral says she wishes Ahmed well, but there is a lot of work to do in the district. Q&A with Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed 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.. 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. 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. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. }. Teachers have spoken out at school board meetings to criticize Ahmeds leadership. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. Does anyone know whats going on in Hamtramck public schools? Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? 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. Toni Coral, president of theHamtramck Federation of Teachers, said Thursday the lawsuit had been sent to attorneys to review. Jaleelah Ahmed, Superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools, Hamtramck, Michigan. Hamtramck Public Schools will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. It is unclear if this suit relates in any way to the alleged investigation cited in the article. Ahmed is allowed to remain on paid leave for up to 60 days. Her suit asks that she receive front-pay in case the district does successfully terminate her. Hamtramck schools embrace community initiatives, gear for Census count . HPS News. HPS Superintendent Releases Statement on Controversial Book Ban Issue Relations between the district and Ahmed werent always sour. Ahmeds evaluations for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years were highly effective, the highest possible rating, the suitalleges. Posted: Saturday 06.04.2022 9:07 pm Revised: Friday 06.10.2022 9:07 pm Nor is it easy to be openly vulnerable with you. .page .article .comments .fb-comments iframe { But there were some who spoke favorably of Ahmed. That job included improving English language proficiency and academic performance. This statement doesnt say much. 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.