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Published by
The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators
4797 Hayes Rd.,
Suite 103
Madison, WI 53704
Phone:
(608) 241-0300
Fax: (608) 249-4973
Web: www.awsa.org

AWSA President-Elect Candidates

Julie Brilli
"AWSA is the vehicle for school leaders to come together in support of the profession and the children we serve. From our government relations efforts to our professional development offerings, the work of AWSA has never been more important than it is today. My familiarity with AWSA would allow me to focus on our objectives for improving the association and involving more of our our members in this critical and enjoyable work."

AWSA Involvement:
Representative Council  1999-2008
Convention Planning Committee  2000-03
Region 7 Director  2002-03
Chair Middle Level Commission 2003-06
Trustee, WI Foundation for Educational Administration 2006-08

National Experience:
Chair, NASSP Middle Level Task Force
Presented "True Colors" for staff planning sessions for NASSP staff, NAESP staff, and State Executive Director's Conference

School Leadership Experience:
Educator for 19 years
(15 years as an administrator)
Served at the high school, middle school and elementary school levels
National Distinguished Principal 2003

An experienced hand and
a positive style:
"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway
for the human spirit." 
Helen Keller

"As a Region Director, member of the AWSA Senior High Commission and AWSA Board of Directors, I have seen firsthand the professionalism of the organization, the commitment AWSA has to the professional development of our members and the dedication the organization has to working in the best interests of education. Because of my positive experience in AWSA leadership positions, I would like to continue to be involved in AWSA as the president-elect and then president. In those capacities, I will continue to work to serve and represent the principals of our state, soliciting your input and feedback while working on your behalf in a rapidly changing educational climate."

School Leadership Experience: 11 years

Current Position:
Principal, Baraboo High School

AWSA Involvement: Region 5 Director, 2005-08
Senior High Commission, 2004-07 Aspiring Administrators Conference Facilitator, 2007
Board of Directors, 2005-08
SAA high school reform team
AWSA Executive Committee.

Affiliations:
AWSA, NASSP, Wisconsin Charter Schools Association, ASCD

Other Contributions:
President of the South Central Conference and Badger Conference; SAA High School Reform Team; Facilitator at conferences

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legal update

By Jayne Kuehn, Attorney, DeWitt Ross & Stevens SC

Recent news reports have focused on one of the many challenges of being a school administrator. Administrators are charged with the supervision of licensed educational professionals, including other administrators, teachers, aides, curriculum specialists, and a variety of other employees in education who fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Instruction. Part of the supervision role requires conducting investigations and reporting to the state superintendent if any person employed by an educational agency, as defined in s. 115.31(1)(b) Wis. Stats., and licensed by the state superintendent:

1.  is charged with a crime under ch. 948,
2. is convicted of a crime under subd.1 or of 4th degree sexual assault under s. 940.225(3m),
3. is dismissed, or his or her contract is not renewed, by the employer based in whole or in part on evidence that the person engaged in immoral conduct, or,
4. the person resigns and the administrator has a reasonable suspicion that the resignation relates to the person having engaged in immoral conduct.

The time frame for reporting is fairly narrow. The statute requires that the report to the Department of Public Instruction shall be made within 15 days after the administrator becomes aware of the charge, conviction, dismissal, non-renewal or resignation. There is a standard reporting form, PI-1620, which can be found on the Web at http://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/pi1620.html. The person who is the subject of the report must be informed that the report has been filed and must be provided with a copy.

Sec. 115.31(1)(c) Wis. Stats. defines “immoral conduct” to mean “conduct or behavior that is contrary to commonly accepted moral or ethical standards and that endangers the health, safety, welfare or education of any pupil.” The definition is broad enough so that, if an administrator has any concern that the alleged behavior was not appropriate, it should be investigated and dealt with accordingly. Attempting to deal with an allegation of immoral conduct without a thorough investigation is dangerous not only for the students who may be at risk, but also for the administrator whose career may be jeopardized by failing to carry out the statutory mandate to investigate and report.

Continued on next page...

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Published by
The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators
4797 Hayes Rd.,
Suite 103
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: (608) 241-0300
Fax: (608) 249-4973
Web: www.awsa.org

legal update

(7) Any person who intentionally fails to report as required under this section may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both. (emphasis added)

Sadly, the number of educators who have their credentials sanctioned or denied over sexual misconduct is significant. A seven month investigation in 2007 by the Associated Press of disciplinary records across the nation found that 2,570 educators were sanctioned for sexual misconduct between 2001 and 2005. In at least 1,800 instances the victims were young people and of that number 80% were students. That number represents approximately 3 cases for every school day. The AP went on to report that violators are often skilled educators and popular. In 9 of 10 cases they are male.

There are attempts being made to track problem educators who move from state to state. A current reporting device, a database called Clearinghouse, created by the nonprofit National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, NASDTEC, is one way to check credentials of educators but has been criticized as incomplete because participation by states, school districts and private schools is voluntary. A new federal law has been proposed by U.S Rep. Adam Putnam of Florida. It is designed to establish more uniform reporting requirements. Putnam's proposal calls for the first government-backed national database of teachers accused of sexual misconduct. Under his plan, those names would also be available to the public.

Wisconsin has an effective statute and regulations in place to report, investigate and revoke educational licenses. However, to really be effective in making schools and other educational agencies safe for employees and children, administrators must take their duty to comply with the statute seriously. Looking the other way when an infraction arises, or allowing a violator to avoid the consequences and move on to work in an educational setting again, is not acceptable and may result in a discipline by one's school district or a  fine, imprisonment, or both by the state superintendent.  End

Back to Beginning

Published by
The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators
4797 Hayes Rd.,
Suite 103
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: (608) 241-0300
Fax: (608) 249-4973
Web: www.awsa.org

The program’s design includes an interactive format for small and large group discussions, problem-solving assignments, as well as analysis and reflections necessary for meaningful comprehension and learning. A variety of practical tools is provided including:

• self assessment for instructional leaders
• assessing change factors in your school
• collaborative leadership & professional learning communities assessment tool
• academic rigor and support self-assessment tool
• seven cornerstone strategies to improve student performance

Click here for additional information / registration form.

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