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Resident asks superintendent to review board member’s letter, urges censure
Summary
A resident told the Arrowhead Union High School District board that a letter penned by board member Amy Hemmer contained divisive language and asked Superintendent Ferner to investigate whether it violated district bylaws and to consider censure.
Jan Grimm, an Arrowhead resident, used the public comment period to raise concerns about a letter to the editor published by board member Amy Hemmer on May 20 and printed May 22 in the Waukesha Freeman.
“I’m here tonight because I felt compelled to speak up,” Grimm said, calling the letter “divisive and hostile” and criticizing Hemmer’s comments about diversity, equity and inclusion and transgender students. Grimm asked Superintendent Ferner to review whether the communication violated district bylaws and to consider censure if a violation occurred. “This blatant letter may be in clear violation of code P0143.1, the bylaw related to public expression by school board members,” she said.
Grimm described the alleged rhetoric as harmful to marginalized students and said the board and administrators should set an example of leadership that supports all students. She urged action, including a formal review by the superintendent, and said she had a copy of the letter for board members who had not seen it.
Board President reminded Grimm that public comment time is limited and redirected the meeting when her time expired. No administrative finding or board action on Grimm’s request was made during the public meeting record; Grimm’s request stood as public comment asking the superintendent to investigate.
