NB School District in the News
The District of New Berlin got a lot o publicity during Paul Kreutzer’s comparatively brief time as NBPS Superintendent, often due to repugnant situations, such as a disturbing sexting and “sextortion” scandal involving numerous Eisenhower students/ one student reportedly committing heinous crimes (including sexual assaults at the school) which resulted in a 15-year prison sentence, Eisenhower football players urinating in public during halftime at a JV game at Pewaukee High School, a coach’s DUI /controversies, New Berlin West students getting caught drinking while on a Zoo field trip, etc.
The District also received considerable media attention when Gov. Walker--- with NB Superintendent Paul Kreutzer at his side---held a press conference In May 2011 defending his 2011-13 biennial state budget and the proposed cuts to education. The Wisconsin Association of School Boards called the $900 million cut the largest cut to public education in modern Wisconsin history.
Although Dr. Kreutzer participated in that dog-and- pony show with Walker, it turned out Kreutzer had no intention of sticking around here. Evidently, Kreutzer wanted something better for himself, his public school teacher wife and their child. Soon it was goodbye Wisconsin and hello New York, a pro-union state. Indeed, in April 2011, the press reported that Dr. Kreutzer had been offered a Superintendent position in New York state's Katonah-Lewisboro District and was in contract negotiations. His starting date there was July 1.
The New Berlin School Board hired Joe Garza to replace Kreutzer.
The District of New Berlin has been in the spotlight again recently—this time because of a contentious, restrictive employee handbook that was approved unanimously by the NB Board of Education at its rowdy August 29 School Board Meeting. Among other things, teachers objected to the lack of teacher input in the handbook’s contents.
Hey, what happened to “Professional Learning Communities”, a concept that the District under Dr. Kreutzer’s leadership had embraced so enthusiastically and touted? Isn’t teamwork, collaboration, and inviting input an integral part of PLC?
Here’s a sampling of news coverage concerning the employee handbook. Click on the highlighted words to view those reports:
Journal Sentinel : “New Berlin School Board OKs new handbook “
New Berlin NOW: “ It’s all over , but handbook generated plenty of shouts”
WISN: “New Berlin School Board Meeting Gets Heated”
MSNBC: “ Hundreds rally at New Berlin West to discuss teacher handbook”
These blogs took a dim view of what occurred:
Daily Kos: “New Berlin, WI imposes punitive rules on teachers”
Blue Cheddar: “ Restrictions on New Berlin employees approved by School Board after anti-teacher taunting”
Forward Lookout: “Right wing Anti-Teacher Fervor in New Berlin”
Blogging Blue: “Republican thugs-part 8- New Berlin edition”
