The Shawano School Board voted to renew administrators’ contracts for another year following more than two hours of deliberations behind closed doors Jan. 30.
Administrators are midway through three-year contracts, and state law required the district to make a decision on contract extensions no later than Jan. 31. The extensions were originally part of the agenda for the board’s Jan. 8 meeting, but they were tabled after the board’s student representative, Hannah Yeager, and other community members urged holding off on the contract for district athletic and activities director Joel Wondra amid claims he was discriminating against female athletes, showing disregard for non-athletic clubs and apathy for his job.
Wondra was in the closed-door session for more than 90 minutes before stepping out with Shawano Community High School principal Matt Raduechel.
After the board meeting, a Title IX investigation was launched into the discrimination claims, according to board president Mike Musolff.
“While no evidence or formal complaints of Title IX violations were found, we take every allegation seriously and thoroughly investigated the matter,” Musolff said.
One of the allegations regarding the scheduling of conference girls’ basketball games was addressed, with Musolff pointing out that the district does not have control of the scheduling, which is done by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics Association’s Bay Conference. He said the school district will address the matter at the next conference meeting.
Musolff said the administrators are developing several initiatives to address the fact that clubs and organizations don’t get the same level of notoriety as sports teams for their accomplishments. Those initiatives include the following:
• Creating a student group to help support, recognize and promote high school clubs and activities.
• Providing training for coaches and advisors to further promote clubs, activities and athletics through the district’s website.
• Reviewing the communication process for celebrating the successes of all clubs and groups.
• Outlining a complaint procedure process that will be added to the district’s website.
Musolff said the board is concerned that the “rumors” that came up at the Jan. 8 meeting may have been damaging.
“In a community as close-knit as ours, it’s understandable that opinions can be strong, and concerns are brought forward during the public comment period,” Musolff said. “However, it’s important to recognize that as these issues gain public awareness, emotions can run high, making it all the more essential for us to approach these matters with sensitivity and care.”
The district plans to make sure that any future instances where administrators or other staff members are alleged to have done wrong are addressed in a fashion where the person on the hot seat has the opportunity to mount a defense, according to Musolff.
“Public admonishment at a school board meeting without prior notice or an opportunity for the staff member to present their side of the story could violate this principle,” he said. “Providing advance notice allows the employee to prepare a defense and address any concerns. In addition, individualized complaints violate board policy.”
Musolff noted that violating due process for employees could expose the district to legal challenges. He said it was “imperative” for the district to adhere to its established procedures, providing notice, opportunities to discuss the matter, impartial decisions and transparency.
“In this case, no prior notice to the board president or other board member was given,” Musolff said. “If contact would have been made, an honest attempt to remedy concerns addressed in the open meeting could have been taken care of in an appropriate manner. A fair and transparent process not only upholds the rights of the staff involved but also contributes to a positive and respectful work environment within the school district.”
“It’s crucial for us to communicate to all stakeholders, including staff, that the Shawano School District administration and school board’s commitment to fairness and due process is unwavering,” Musolff said. “We encourage open dialogue and provide avenues for addressing concerns within the established framework can contribute to a collaborative and supportive school community.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
Wondra, other school leaders get contract extension
