Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents and community members press board over staffing turnover at Madison, whistleblower allegations and equity flags
Summary
During public comment at the July 14 meeting, a Madison Elementary parent urged investigation of high teacher turnover; another speaker cited two dozen whistleblowers and DPI flags for racial disproportionality in special education and urged board action.
Public comment at the Wauwatosa School Board's July 14 meeting focused on staffing instability at Madison Elementary and broader governance concerns raised by a community task force.
Bob Dhy, a parent of a soon-to-be second grader at Madison Elementary, told the board that, according to the district's staffing report, "every single third, fourth, and fifth grade...will be new to the school" and said "eight teachers have left Madison in less than two years." He asked the board to "look into what's going on with the leadership in Madison," saying his impression was that "our kids deserve the best learning environment." (Bob Dhy)
Kelly Goldman, a parent who had earlier worked with PTA leaders, spoke in favor of the revised intra-district transfer policy (5120), telling the board the update addresses population imbalances and could reduce what she described as "islands of excellence." (Kelly Goldman)
Shortly afterward, Chris Murka presented findings from the 2030 task force's May and June work and said the pattern is "a systemic governance failure" with whistleblowers describing "retaliation, intimidation, and administrative misconduct." He told the board that the Department of Public Instruction has flagged the district for racial disproportionality in special education and low performance among Black students and asked, "What more do you need to act?" (Chris Murka)
The chair closed public comment after a final speaker, and the board proceeded to the consent agenda. No immediate formal administrative response was recorded in the public-comment segment; several board members later discussed processes for following up on staffing and policy issues during committee and administrative reports.
The speakers who raised specific concerns asked the board for investigation, clarification and policy responses; the record shows the board acknowledged the comments and moved on to agenda items that included policy reviews and a planned review of staffing metrics.
Next steps noted by board and staff include scheduled administrative updates on staffing and enrollment and further review of policy 5120, which administration said was revised in consultation with PTA leaders and the policy committee.
