Their kids were being bullied at school and they wanted answers. Now, the principal has resigned.
A Menomonee Falls elementary school principal has resigned amidst public complaints from parents that she didn't do enough to intervene with violent bullying in a kindergarten classroom.
Ben Franklin Elementary School Principal Tina Posnanski submitted a letter of resignation May 5, according to Menomonee Falls School District director of communications Amy Kieser, marking "another career path" as her reason for stepping down.
Kieser didn't confirm whether Posnanski's resignation was related to complaints about the kindergarten class, explaining only that Posnanski had "accepted a unique opportunity in the private sector."
Posnanski hasn't responded to interview requests from the Journal Sentinel.
Menomonee Falls School District superintendent James Heiden on May 10 shared news of the resignation in an email to parents. He said Ben Franklin Associate Principal David Pieters had already stepped into the role for the rest of the school year while the district looks for a new principal.
Benjamin Franklin Elementary students were subjected to 'violent, chaotic' behavior, parents say
During a public comment period at a school board meeting May 8, seven parents said their children had been affected by bullying in a kindergarten classroom at Ben Franklin. Parents said they were frustrated that they didn't find out about the extent of the problem until recently, and blamed the principal for a lack of communication.
Parent Natalie Mortensen said she and other classroom parents received an email May 4 from Posnanski, referencing challenging behaviors in the class. When parents asked Posnanski for more information, Mortensen said they were told children were throwing markers and not keeping hands to themselves.
Parents said they then learned about more extreme events in the kindergarten classroom in talking with their children and each other.
Kira Chesak said she learned that her son had "been a witness to and victim of violent, chaotic behavior," including being hit and punched about 20 times.
"He’s described children standing on desks and kicking, overturning chairs, and upsetting supply carts. He’s described having to quickly exit the room to get to safety," Chesak said at the meeting. "I have lost all trust in our schools because it's not our children's job to bring home this message. I deserve to be told when my kid is hit or punched in class."
Also at the school board meeting, Ashley Strachota said she has learned her daughter was hurt multiple times by the same student in the kindergarten class. She said her daughter was scratched, hit, punched and choked during separate incidents throughout this school year. She said her daughter started having stomach aches and didn't want to go to school anymore. Strachota said when she and her husband, Adam, contacted Posnanski about one of the incidents, Posnanski told them an action plan was in place, but that specifics couldn't be shared due to student privacy protections. Strachota said she's lost trust in the school's leadership and its ability to communicate with parents.
"It is comforting yet disheartening that so many other parents have been affected in this classroom as well. I am hoping with the facts presented and the strong voices of these parents there will be a change," Strachota said.
Menomonee Falls School Board president Nina Christensen apologized to parents after they spoke.
“I am so sorry that it had to come to this point, that you had come to this setting to share your heartfelt stories and experiences. On behalf of the board, I want to tell you we hear you," Christensen said. She continued, "We will seek answers and I promise you, we will do our due diligence to find resolution for you so you can regain the trust and have your children feel safe and secure in our school system."
The Menomonee Falls School District has apologized for a lack of communication about the incident
In a statement shared by Kieser, district officials apologized for not communicating better about issues in the classroom. Kieser said the superintendent only became aware of behavior problems in the class on May 4.
"In this specific incident, we acknowledge that we could have done a better job in communicating with parents. The district’s expectation is that we clearly communicate with our parents regularly regarding the safety of their children, the district's statement said. "That did not happen."
Kieser said the district has since responded to the concerns with measures including:
Adding support from an educational assistant
Having some students participate in other classrooms throughout the day
Planning for quicker removal from the classroom if disruptive behavior occurs
Adding "mindful activities" twice a week, including yoga, relaxation and calming techniques
Notifying classroom parents if a classroom evacuation is needed on the day it occurs, with the notification including a reason, time, and length of time
Sending a weekly newsletter and daily email to parents of the kindergarten class
Parents were also told to contact the district's pupil services staff if students need more emotional support, the letter said.
Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Menomonee Falls principal resigns as student bullying concerns mount
