Anyone in the loop? Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up March 15, 2023 1p-3p, Notice of Cancellation of COW Meeting 12-20-2022. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? 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.. WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. 2K followers . from . The district is also facing allegations it has retaliated against outspoken staff. Her leave of absence also comes at a time of turmoil in the district. They complained, sometimes bitterly, of their management style, and the many job transfers they imposed on staffmembers. Posted Oct. 22, 2021. That lawsuit has been pending for about one year and Ms. Adamczyk is represented by Gary Miotke as her attorney if that name sounds familiar it is because he represented former HPD officer Dennis Whitty in two employment suits against the City of Hamtramck which settled for several hundred thousand dollars. Some of those who left have since returned while Ahmed and Imbrunone were on leave. At a recent school board committee meeting, board Vice President Showkat Chowdhury asked when the district would begin a search for a new superintendent. 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. Hamtramck Public Schools Jul 2019 - Present 3 years 8 months. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? A poll suggested that some 50 percent of teachers considered leaving the district for other jobs. This year, Niczay was rehired by the district as a consultant, performing some of Ahmeds prior duties. Join us for an Open Forum! That desire was underlying each of the decisions she made," Lusk said. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Ahmed, like so many other school superintendents, has had added responsibilities and burdens while overseeing the district during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nabil Nagi, who is the interim Superintendent for Hamtramck Public Schools released a statement on Friday, November 4th addressing this matter. The Hamtramck Public Schools are operating with a surplus (thanks to Thomas Niczay's, former Superintendent, diligence in budget and cost control) and will be able to continue operations if they do not pass their bond. Unlike many news organizations, we made a choice to keep all of our independent, investigative reporting free and available for everyone in our community. Her director of human resources, Michelle Imbrunone, also took a medical leave of absence in October. Please consider a gift today to help shine a light on government through independent journalism. It is unclear if this suit relates in any way to the alleged investigation cited in the article. Ahmed is also asking for back pay, though she has been on paid leave since October. By Charles Sercombe HPS Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed is under an investigation while on extended leave from her job. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: [email protected]. 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. A mass exodus of teachers from the school district took place under Ahmeds term last year. HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. 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. Your email address will not be published. .page .article .comments .fb-comments iframe { Abdul Hussain, a parent, said that for two years we found unity. Hamtramck Public School District . According to district payroll records, Ahmed was still collecting paychecks as of Feb. 18, 2022. 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. Exclusive podcasts from our top journalists. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Teachers have spoken out at school board meetings to criticize Ahmeds leadership. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. They are being sued by former school district employee Christina Adamczyk. All Rights Reserved. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. Will you support us? 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. Ahmed notified district officials on Oct. 11, 2021, that she would stop performing her duties as superintendent until Jan. 10, 2022. We're really reaching out to the community to . Employees shall not discuss the employment circumstances of Superintendent Ahmed with anyone unless cleared by Lynem or Nagi. They were named to replace Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed at a school board meeting Wednesday. 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). Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). 775 likes. She pointed to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the reason she needs to focus on her physical and mental health right now. Unlimited access to subscriber only articles on desktop, tablet and mobile web. 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. Hadwan didnt explain the nature of the investigation. It is strange that people quitting after school year started. 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. This Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. About 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. 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. Does anyone know whats going on in Hamtramck public schools? There has been wide speculation over whether Ahmed will return in January. A lot of the teachers have left HPS. 2023 Mackinac Center for Public Policy WDET is a community service of Wayne State University. 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 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. Her contract ran through June 30, 2024. Felix Chow is a Superintendent at Hamtramck Public Schools based in Hamtramck, Michigan. I must prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well- Here are the top scams of 2022, totaling $8.8 billion in losses, Three Ramadan Nights activities to attract thousands of visitors to Dearborn. The purpose of my page is to explore educational topics and share progress about my journey as the. Section 1.3: Audit. Section 4: Benefits and Salary of Superintendent and employees greater than $100,000. 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. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. Ahmed is also accusing the parties, which include two board members who, like her, are Yemeni Americans, of discrimination (based on sex and nationality) and defamation. In an unexpected move, Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed has taken a leave of absence. Hamtramck Federation of Teachers President Toni Coral says she wishes Ahmed well, but there is a lot of work to do in the district. The energy and passion they bring every day continues to make a world of difference and will play a huge role in helping accelerate their learning as we continue to address the effects of COVID learning loss. 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. Director of Innovative Programming. David Melkus for the plaintiff. 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. Ahmeds leave took many in the district by surprise. 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. 115 Construction Superintendent Jobs in Hamtramck, MI hiring now with salary from $61,000 to $123,000 hiring now. 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. Neither Ahmed nor Imbrunone have spoken on the matter. 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. 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 Come get answers to your questions about the flu and COVID-19. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up Flyer. HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. About Bridge Academy East. Mobile app for news, photos and video on the go. 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. What was better before that has gone worse in last couple of years? Terms of Use | Online Privacy Policy. The district has the Schools of Choice program, which allows non-district students to enroll in district schools. 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. Supreme Court of Michigan. 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 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. The school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 72% over five school years. One teacher said that, since Ahmed became superintendent, the district has been going backwards from our best years. This is not an environment I want to return in, said the teacher. Required fields are marked *. Copyright 2022 by WDET and Wayne State University. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. It is also unknown whether if the two are still on the districts payroll. Her suit asks that she receive front-pay in case the district does successfully terminate her. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective. Apply for A Construction Superintendent jobs that are part time, remote, internships, junior and senior level. Superintendent at Hamtramck Public Schools . Thank you for your understanding and compassion, it is my honor and privilege to serve. [1] As of 2011 the official graduation rate is 62%. 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. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. Photo: Hassan Abbas/The Arab American News. 2). Bridge Academy East is a free public charter school district serving students in grades K-5th and houses a GSRP preschool program. 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. 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. width: auto !important; Hamtramck Public Schools will be led by two administrators while its superintendent is on a temporary leave of absence. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. width: 100% !important; margin: 0 -8px !important; 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. Her announcement was made public on the HPS Facebook page on Tuesday. Posted: Saturday 06.04.2022 9:07 pm Revised: Friday 06.10.2022 9:07 pm 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. 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 By Charles Sercombe Print Edition |. 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. 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 Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! "At Hamtramck Public Schools, we are committed to providing high-quality education services that our families deserve. Her announcement was made public on the HPS Facebook page on Tuesday. Required fields are marked *. Your email address will not be published. News, views and interviews from the Arab world and the Arab American community. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. Interim Superintendent. Superintendent Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed cites the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the reason behind her decision to take a temporary leave of absence. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? Join to view profile Hamtramck School District . Do they deserve it? In 2016, Ahmed was hired to serve as the district'sEnglish language development director. 2021 Salaries and Benefits over $100k. She was very serious about that. News, analysis and scores on Detroit and Michigan sports teams. 1K followers 500+ connections. Interim Superintendent & ELD Director at Hamtramck School District Hamtramck, Michigan, United States. 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. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. Hamtramck Public Schools Administration; Hamtramck Public Schools Administration. Dr. Adnan Aabed. Felix received a bachelor's degree degree from Inter-American University and a master of business administration ( M. B. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. After questions from residents and local media, the board said it had extended her leave, but did not explain why. 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. Something must not be going right. Ahmed initially took a medical leave back on October, citing the stress she endured during the Covid pandemic. Come get answers to your questions about the flu and COVID-19. Argued May 7, 1986. You could win a $20 gift card in the raffle! } Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan breaking news. 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. 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. Do they deserve it? 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. Ahmed's gross pay was $176,750 in 2020-21; she was appointed superintendent in July 2019. display: block !important; The nature of the investigation has not been made public by the district. Hamtramck, MI . The Review obtained a copy of the district email directing employees not to contact Ahmed. My kids in HPS virtual academy. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print paper, every day. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! That focus is also the primary reason I was able to identify that I needed additional support at this time. Posted Feb. 11, 2022. Did anyone press those teachers for more details? 75897, 75901, (Calendar No. 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. Hamtramck School Dist. Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. "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. being. "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.".