letter to appleton (wi) school board requesting investigation on teachers who bullied benji backer

7/28/2019 Letter to Appleton (WI) School Board requesting investigation on teachers who bullied Benji Backer.

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NorthShore Strategy a nd Consult ing L L CPO Box 170394, Milwaukee, Wl 53217-0394

Kyle Maichle-Principal Owner and CEO

March 29, 2013

Ms. Sharon FenlonPresidentAppleton Board of EducationPO Box 2019Appleton, Wl 54912-2019Dear Ms. Fenlon:As a proud product of the Appleton Area School District, I am writing to you today on a matterthat requires your immediate attention. On March 29, 2013, Mr. Benji Backer, a student in theAppleton Area School District was interviewed byWISN Radio in Milwaukee regarding bullyingfrom AASD staff members over his political views. The interview came after a article waswritten by Mr. Backer the previous day on a national blog regarding his experiences beingbullied over his conservative political viewpoints.When I was an alumnus of the Appleton Area Schools from 1989 to 2002, teachers treated mewith respect in spite of my conservative political viewpoints. However, Mr. Backer's blog postreveals that there are growing incidents of harassment and bullying byAASD staff memberstowards students who do not share the same political viewpoints of AASD staff members whoare members of the Appleton Education Association (AEA) and the Wisconsin EducationAssociation Council (WEAC).Mr. Backer's blog post described multiple incidents of bullying he was a victim of from 2010 to2013. Some of these incidents include:

Being disapproved by a teacher after being featured by theAppletonPost-Crescent in2010 for his involvement in that year's gubernatorial election and being told by the staffmember he was "dumb" and having to switch schools mid-year. Was being told by one of his instructors during the 2011 Wisconsin budget battle that"she could not afford another child because of Scott Walker." That should not be said in

ANY classroom. Being harassed by another AASD staff member after being featured by the USA Todayover his involvement inYoung Americans for Romney and his support for currentGovernor Scott Walker.

Appleton Board of Education Policy 522.5 clearly states that:(Continued on Next Page)

414.502.9165-Phone, 717.828.7736-FAX, [email protected]


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Ms. Sharon Fenlon,Appleton Board ofEducationThe AppletonArea School District (AASD) Board of Education recognizes that staff membersha ve civic responsibilities and/or rights, including the right to vote, to be an active member ofth e political party of their choice, to campaign fo r candidates fo r election to public office, and toseek, campaign for, and serve in public office.In fulfilling their responsibilities as members of the AASD staff, they shal l refrain from exploitingtheir privilege of position. The y s h a l l not ex plo i t s t u d e n t s i n a n y w a y f o r p o l i t ic a l p u r p o s e sfo r t h e m s e l v e s o r f o r a n y pa r t y , c andidate , o r s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t g r o u p .Political activities o f staff members m ust be conducted outside of school hours and off schoolpremises. They shall not use District facilities, equipment, or supplies in connection with theirpolitical activit ies.The incidents that were listed in Mr. Backer's blog post are in clear violation ofAASD Board ofEducation Policy 522.5. Also, Mr. Backer indicated in his blog post that fellow students whoshare his political viewpoints are also target of the same harassment and bullying byAASD staffmembers. This conduct described in this letter has no place in any school buildingoperated by the Appleton Area School District.Being the President of the Appleton Board of Education, you have an importantresponsibility to make sure that all public schools are welcome to every studentregardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, and their political viewpoints.I am asking that the Board of Education should direct the Superintendent of Schools, theOffice of Personnel Services, and the Assistant Superintendents of School and StudentServices conduct a full investigation into this matter, and if possible levy sanctions up toand including termination against any AASD staff member who is found to be in violationof Board of Education Policy 522.5.I am also sending you a copy of the blog post written by Mr. Backer that documentsthese incidents.Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please feel free tocontact me at 414.502.9165 or by e-mail at [email protected],

(yle MaichleMilwaukee, WlAppleton North Graduate-Class of 2002


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Ms. Sharon Fenlon,Appleton Board of Educationx

Cc: Mr, LeeAllinger, Superintendent of SchoolsMs. Julie Zuleger, Division of Personnel ServicesMr. BenVogel, Assistant Superintendent of Student and School ServicesMs. Judy Baseman, Assistant Superintendent of Student and School ServicesMs. Val Drier, Assistant Superintendent of Student and School Services

letter to appleton (wi) school board requesting investigation on teachers who bullied benji backer

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