The district is also facing allegations it has retaliated against outspoken staff. Here is Ahmeds letter to the community that was posted on the districts Facebook page announcing her leave: It is strange that people quitting after school year started. 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. Some teachers and administrators said transfers made no sense and felt punitive against those who had raised concerns over work conditions during the pandemic. In an interview, Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi spoke . Come get answers to your questions about the flu and COVID-19. 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. Q&A with Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Hassan Ahmed 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. Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. width: 100% !important; Your email address will not be published. The board met last Wednesday and accepted her request for a leave. A poll suggested that some 50 percent of teachers considered leaving the district for other jobs. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). My kids in HPS virtual academy. 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. HPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages. 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. 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. This is not an environment I want to return in, said the teacher. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Director of Innovative Programming. Hamtramck school leader sued for discrimination against older women Ahmed is asking a judge to issue an injunction prohibitingtermination of her employment, back payand damages for mental anguish and emotional distress. Do they deserve it? 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. The decision, to temporarily step aside, was not entered into lightly. She declined further comment. Ahmed and the school district are being represented by Michael D. Weaver of the Plunkett Cooney law firm. 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. She claims she was terminated while she was on leave. Menhem Aouad Director of Student Services. That desire was underlying each of the decisions she made," Lusk said. 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. Renowned Chef Anthony Bourdain at Polonia. In an unexpected move, Hamtramck Public Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed has taken a leave of absence. Coral, who is a teacher, says policies that made teachers feel unwelcome exacerbated the teacher shortage and crisis that the district is facing. Mind sharing? Will you support us? Section 5: Miscellaneous. This website provides the option to use Google translate; HPS cannot assure accuracy of the translation. At least 28 people have resigned since the start of the school year, including 12 teachers at Dickinson East Elementary who quit recently. HPS Superintendent Releases Statement on Controversial Book Ban Issue Her director of human resources, Michelle Imbrunone, also took a medical leave of absence in October. Comments (-1) 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. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today. Felix received a bachelor's degree degree from Inter-American University and a master of business administration ( M. B. Why is it that nothing was reported about the teachers resigning until now? Hamtramck Public Schools (@hamtramckpublicschools) Instagram photos and videos. 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. Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan breaking news. Your email address will not be published. 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. At a recent school board committee meeting, board Vice President Showkat Chowdhury asked when the district would begin a search for a new superintendent. Your email address will not be published. Accessibility is a core component of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and it is referenced throughout the UDL Guidelines. File photo, By Charles Sercombe Former Hamtramck schools leader alleges conspiracy to fire her He says divisions over the districts return to school policies heightened problems that already existed. This web page contains links to one or more pages that are outside the HPS network. Ahmed has been receiving pay during her absence, as she is still under contract with the district, which has not officially terminated that contract. There has been wide speculation over whether Ahmed will return in January. Previously, Felix was a Superintendent at Anderson Commun ity School Corporation. 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 Yemeni American Outgoing Hamtramck Schools' superintendent Tom Please consider a gift today to help shine a light on government through independent journalism. School district fell short retaining them. Your email address will not be published. After questions from residents and local media, the board said it had extended her leave, but did not explain why. Without more details, this word doesnt convey much. 775 likes. 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. 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. 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 superintendent discusses challenges ahead 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. UPDATE: Detroit district's pause on in-person learning now extended Her leave of absence also comes at a time of turmoil in the district. Toast of the Town A Paczki Day diary: Brrrrr who invited winter to the party? We wish Ms. Ahmed the best during her leave of absence. Hamtramck, MI 48212 INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT Nabil Nagi Phone: 313.591.7400 Fax: 313.284.6094 Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm. 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. Plunkett Cooney, a Detroit law firm, defends Ms. Ahmed and the district. Bridge Academy East is a free public charter school district serving students in grades K-5th and houses a GSRP preschool program.