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 had left under similar circumstances and recounted receiving a message she attributed to “Tim” instructing her to submit a one-line resignation email.

Board members did not resolve the public allegations during the open meeting. Later in the agenda the board approved a motion “to convene a closed session per Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c), considering employment promotion, compensation, and performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility,” and listed related items to be discussed in closed session, including approval of resignations, appointments, contract modifications, consideration of district payment of Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) contributions for employees, and discussing seeking legal counsel to investigate an employment matter and a complaint against an employee. The motion was moved by Gary and seconded by Lance; the board conducted a roll-call vote with ayes recorded and the motion carried. The board announced the time as approximately 7:44 p.m. when moving to closed session.

Votes at a glance - Approve financial reports (account balances as of 03/31/2025): motion to approve moved by Karen, seconded by Brad; voice vote recorded as aye and motion carried. The packet showed total combined balances of $5,504,613.65 across listed accounts. - Consent agenda (includes 17 part-time and 0 full-time requests to enroll in virtual courses): moved by Dave, seconded by Derek; motion carried. - Revision to the SEC Handbook sections related to Wisconsin Retirement System contributions (to add language regarding an exception under Wisconsin statute 40.06(5) as cited in the meeting): motion moved and seconded (second recorded as Brad); motion carried. - Appointment of the district representative to the CESA 11 annual convention: motion to appoint Jeff was moved (Derek), seconded (Brad); motion carried. - Second readings of board policies F through P: motion to approve moved by Darren, seconded by Lance; motion carried. - Motion to convene closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) to consider personnel matters, WRS contribution questions, and possible legal counsel: moved by Gary, seconded by Lance; approved by roll call (ayes recorded); board entered closed session at about 7:44 p.m.

What was said and what happens next Public commenters urged the board to act publicly to remove the named staff member from the building while investigations continue; the board instead took formal action to meet in closed session to discuss personnel and legal options. The closed-session motion listed several items the board planned to consider behind closed doors, including approval of resignations and discussion of seeking legal counsel. Because the planned discussion involves personnel complaints and potential legal counsel, further details of those deliberations and any outcomes are not available in the public minutes from the open session.

Context and background The public comments came near the start of the meeting and included appeals from a current resident and a recently resigned teacher. The district also conducted routine business at the same meeting including financial approvals, committee appointments, policy readings, and planning items. The board scheduled the closed session under the cited state statute that allows governmental bodies to deliberate on employee matters in private.