Response to WSJ regarding Madison’s Whitehorse School Incident

Today, I was asked the following question by a reporter, Logan Wroge, of the Wisconsin State Journal, “Is there something you would have advised the district do differently in terms of the separation agreement?” Here is what I wrote in response to his question:

Hi Logan.

I have read the story about the resignation of Mueller-Owens. I agree with his resignation and with the severance package offered to him by MMSD’s administration. At the same time, I wonder how MMSD will respond the next time a situation like this happens? What guidance will be given to faculty and staff regarding how they should respond to student behavior, conduct and emotional issues or mental health events that our children may experience at school? What will MMSD do to address this incident with students in our elementary, middle and high schools so it’s not left as another elephant sitting on the table in the middle of our classrooms and living rooms that we avoid addressing?

I hope the answer is not, “nothing”.

Our School District has an obligation to learn from these incidents and to ensure that our staff, students and parents have clear guidelines about how to address similar situations when they arise, and how they can also avoid such challenges as well.

After reading the police reports, it is clear to me that the student’s actions and behavior leading up to the confrontation was unacceptable. As a father, I would never support my children behaving that way in school, in the community, at home or anywhere. I am left wondering what MMSD and the child’s parents have done, or could have done, together, to proactively address the challenges this student might be having that led to her inappropriate conduct. At the same time, there are other ways Mr. Mueller-Owens could have handled this situation that would have avoided him putting his hands on the student.

No matter how we look at this, the incident has been a painful and unfortunate situation for everyone involved, and for our entire community as well. The worst thing we can do is avoid talking about this incident, or worse, fighting with each about who was right and who was wrong. Madison clearly has challenges. We have to address them, not avoid them.

End.