Hamtramck, MI 48212 INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT Nabil Nagi Phone: 313.591.7400 Fax: 313.284.6094 Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm. Board President Salah Hadwan replied: "Well, we're still in an investigation.". The decision, to temporarily step aside, was not entered into lightly. 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. Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed - Superintendent of Schools - Hamtramck Public | 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. 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. 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. Nagi Takes Full Interim Superintendent Responsibilities How to pronounce Hamtramck | HowToPronounce.com Unlimited access to subscriber only articles on desktop, tablet and mobile web. 75897, 75901, (Calendar No. Originally meant to be split between Nagi and Sherry Lynem, the Interim Superintendent position will now be completely filled by Nagi. The City will go bankrupt or lose the vital protection of our First Responders if they do not pass their millage request. Hamtramck school leader sued for discrimination against older women The board met last Wednesday and accepted her request for a leave. This statement doesnt say much. Michigan is home to the top-ranked public square in the entire U.S. She did not say what specific ailment she has. Posted: Saturday 06.04.2022 9:07 pm Revised: Friday 06.10.2022 9:07 pm 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. going backwards from our best years In what way? | All rights reserved. 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 did not incur a deficit during the 2020-21 Fiscal Year. 2). Did anyone press those teachers for more details? We wish Ms. Ahmed the best during her leave of absence. 1K followers 500+ connections. Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. Bridge Academy East is a free public charter school district serving students in grades K-5th and houses a GSRP preschool program. Superintendent at Hamtramck Public Schools . HPS Superintendent Releases Statement on Controversial Book Ban Issue She told the school board that she will be on leave until Jan. 10. 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. The district is also facing allegations it has retaliated against outspoken staff. 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. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today. Here is Ahmeds letter to the community that was posted on the districts Facebook page announcing her leave: Her contract ran through June 30, 2024. Her announcement was made public on the HPS Facebook page on Tuesday. Thank you for your understanding and compassion, it is my honor and privilege to serve. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. Toni Coral, president of theHamtramck Federation of Teachers, said Thursday the lawsuit had been sent to attorneys to review. According to district records, Ahmed has been collecting regular paychecks the entire time she has been off the job. Ahmed is asking a judge to issue an injunction prohibitingtermination of her employment, back payand damages for mental anguish and emotional distress. HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. Required fields are marked *. Coral, who is a teacher, says policies that made teachers feel unwelcome exacerbated the teacher shortage and crisis that the district is facing. They complained, sometimes bitterly, of their management style, and the many job transfers they imposed on staffmembers. |. If you encounter a problem accessing materials, information, or technologies at MCAS or would like to provide feedback, contact: hmezzadri@hamtramckpublicschools.org. Neither Ahmed nor Imbrunone have spoken on the matter. Required fields are marked *. She was hired to do a job. Here are the top scams of 2022, totaling $8.8 billion in losses, Three Ramadan Nights activities to attract thousands of visitors to Dearborn. At a recent school board committee meeting, board Vice President Showkat Chowdhury asked when the district would begin a search for a new superintendent. Election - Hamtramck Public Schools Bond Vote NO Tomiak v. Hamtramck School Dist. :: 1986 - Justia Law Teachers have spoken out at school board meetings to criticize Ahmeds leadership. 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. Felix Chow is a Superintendent at Hamtramck Public Schools based in Hamtramck, Michigan. School district fell short retaining them. 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. Annotate this Case 426 Mich. 678 (1986) 397 N.W.2d 770 TOMIAK v. HAMTRAMCK SCHOOL DISTRICT Docket Nos. What was better before that has gone worse in last couple of years? 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. Decided December 22, 1986. "She has a contract with Hamtramck. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. The suit also says that the previous superintendent, Thomas Niczay, had made involuntary transfers in the past, with no repercussions. Nabil Nagi, interim superintendent, said the district wasunable to provide information or comment on legal matters. Deadline Detroit | Hamtramck puzzle: What sent this school district HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. First Yemeni-American Superintendent of Schools in the United States Detroit Metropolitan Area. Hamtramck Public School District / Homepage Posted Feb. 11, 2022. Hamtramck schools embrace community initiatives, gear for Census count . 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. About Dr. Adnan Aabed. "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. You could win a $20 gift card in the raffle! Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST January 20, 2004 - Mackinac Center 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.. chaotic whats chaotic? 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). Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan breaking news. She was expected to return in January, but did not, with no explanation from the district. 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 health . The information was contained in the districts response to a Freedom of Information Act request. Interim Superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools sits down for an 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. Ahmed has been on the job since 2019, and recently received a contract extension. 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. Her leave of absence also comes at a time of turmoil in the district. Hamtramck Public Schools - Wikipedia Local. Ahmed and the school district are being represented by Michael D. Weaver of the Plunkett Cooney law firm. 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. Ahmed is the first Yemeni-American to be appointed as superintendent of the Hamtramck School District. Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX / Home The district responded by stripping her of school building and communications access codes, keys and pass cards. Ahmed announced her leave of absence last week on the district's Facebook page. By Charles Sercombe 775 likes. display: block !important; Budget/Transparency Reporting and Title IX, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department. That focus is also the primary reason I was able to identify that I needed additional support at this time. 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. Do they deserve it? HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. David Melkus for the plaintiff. The district, including interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi, has been extremely tight-lipped on the circumstances surrounding Ahmeds leave of absence. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. Your email address will not be published. Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi earlier told The Review that he does not discuss personnel issues. 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. Pre-K and Kindergarten Round Up Flyer. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. Hamtramck Public Schools Administration; Hamtramck Public Schools Administration. In an interview, Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi spoke . 2K followers . Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Your email address will not be published. Hamtramck Federation of Teachers President Toni Coral says she wishes Ahmed well, but there is a lot of work to do in the district. 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. Ahmed alleges the board membersappeared at her office individually and in groups to demand the dismissal of a human resources director and other employees. In a letter to the Hamtramck community posted on Facebook this week by Hamtramck Public Schools, Ahmed announced she was stepping away. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. The Review obtained a copy of the district email directing employees not to contact Ahmed. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Over 20 teachers, administrators and staff members have resigned since last June. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! Newsletters on topics that interest you most. Do they deserve it? Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. 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 Ahmeds leave took many in the district by surprise. 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. Interim Superintendent & ELD Director at Hamtramck School District Hamtramck, Michigan, United States. Posted Oct. 15, 2021. A. ) 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 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. Throughout the pandemic, I have continually reinforced that the well-being of our school community is the districts primary concern. 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. March 3rd, 3pm-4:30pm, Hamtramck High School Auditorium Free food and drinks! margin: 0 -8px !important; Jaleelah AhmedSuperintendent of SchoolsPhone: 313.591.7413Fax: 313.432.8409. Breaking news HPS superintendent takes a leave of absence One teacher said that, since Ahmed became superintendent, the district has been going backwards from our best years. Ahmed notified district officials on Oct. 11, 2021, that she would stop performing her duties as superintendent until Jan. 10, 2022. By Charles Sercombe "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.". The nature of the investigation has not been made public by the district. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. 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. 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. Hamtramck Public Schools Names Acting Superintendents Amid Staff - WDET 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). Felix Chow - Superintendent - Hamtramck Public Schools | ZoomInfo 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. Felix received a bachelor's degree degree from Inter-American University and a master of business administration ( M. B. They were named to replace Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed at a school board meeting Wednesday. 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. Sherry Lynem, the districts chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. Another falsehood claimed that the teacher resignations during the 2021-2022 school year were caused by or related to Ahmeds involuntary transfer decisions. Sherry Lynem, the district's chief financial officer, and Nabil Nagi, the director of English Language Development, will share responsibilities as acting superintendents. 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. 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. 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. I must prioritize and address my own physical, mental health and well- Employees shall not discuss the employment circumstances of Superintendent Ahmed with anyone unless cleared by Lynem or Nagi. Hamtramck Six Hamtramck schools employees are suing the interim superintendent and district, alleging the interim leader has discriminated against them, retaliated when they filed. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? Join us for an Open Forum! Nabil Nagi, Ed.S. - ELD Director - Hamtramck School District - LinkedIn width: 100% !important; Ahmed, like so many other school superintendents, has had added responsibilities and burdens while overseeing the district during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exclusive podcasts from our top journalists. Hamtramck Public Schools Jul 2019 - Present 3 years 8 months. It seems like it would be big news. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. By Nargis Rahman - YAN - Hamtramck. In the last several months, there have been mass resignations by veteran teachers and staff members. A mass exodus of teachers from the school district took place under Ahmeds term last year. A lot of the teachers have left HPS. 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. 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. } File photo, By Charles Sercombe Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. 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". Without more details, this word doesnt convey much. At least 28 people have resigned since the start of the school year, including 12 teachers at Dickinson East Elementary who quit recently. Definition of Terms 2020-2021 School . A clue has emerged as to why Hamtramck Public Schools District Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed remains on leave. Superintendent / Home Audit Reports 2017-2018. . 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. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. There has been wide speculation over whether Ahmed will return in January. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Your email address will not be published. Hamtramck School District Of The City Of - Public School Review HPS teachers held week-long protest over superintendents return, Once again, the city has to face financial issues. In the last year, over 20 teachers and administrators opted to resign and take jobs with other districts in protest of the management decisions. Councilmembers and the mayor want a raise. .page .article .comments .fb-comments { Section 4: Benefits and Salary of Superintendent and employees greater than $100,000. She was very serious about that. Annual Amount Spent on Lobbying -- Not Applicable ($0) 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. It also said it was running an investigation on the matter, but has not given any details on that investigation. The district has so far not given any details on why Ahmed never returned from that leave. .page .article .comments .fb-comments span, Board of Education / Hamtramck Public Schools Administration Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. Copyright 2022 by WDET and Wayne State University. HAMTRAMCK, Mich. - After the sudden absence of Superintendent Ahmed, the temporary replacement Nabil Nagi will take full control of the responsibilities of the Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent. The board has two other members, DazShavon Hall and Jihan Aiyash, who were not named in the lawsuit. He says divisions over the districts return to school policies heightened problems that already existed. HPS is committed to ensuring that our educational materials and websites are accessible, equitable, and usable to everyone. Obaid credited Niczay for steering the schools to a financially healthy position after the district was in deficit. 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. Hadwan didnt explain the nature of the investigation. 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. About Us - Bridge Academy East 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. This content is only available to subscribers. Ahmed and the district also face litigation from a former middle school vice principal. 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. Her announcement was made public on the HPS Facebook page on Tuesday. Photo: Hassan Abbas/The Arab American News. Ahmed was appointed as superintendent about two years ago, replacing longtime superintendent Tom Niczay, who retired. 08 Nov 2022 By The Yemeni American News The topic of banning explicit books in school districts has now made its way to Hamtramck.