Saint Croix School District board hears staff-mistreatment allegations, votes to enter closed session

The Saint Croix School District Board on April 16 heard public comments urging the board to place a staff member on administrative leave and to investigate alleged mistreatment of employees, then voted to convene a closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) to consider personnel and related legal matters.

During the public-comment period, Colleen Peterson asked directly, “Why isn't he on administrative leave?” and told the board, “He should be on administrative leave. He should not be in this office during the day with the allegations brought against him.”

A longer public comment came from Leah Fireisen, a former Saint Croix Central teacher who said she resigned amid disputed investigations and alleged she was treated unfairly. Fireisen said she had been placed on unpaid administrative suspension after advocating for a sink in her classroom during the COVID-19 period and that she felt pushed to resign after what she described as repeated investigations. “Please look in my file. Please look in my file. My reputation should stand on its own,” Fireisen said. She also said the district had more than 20 staff members who…