The Manitowoc Public School District responded after a parent was concerned about students walking out of class to protest ICE.
During public comment, Todd Michler said the protests were “conducted by students, supported by staff, and condoned by Superintendent Lee Thennes.”
He then criticized the district for scores reported by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, saying the district isn’t meeting expectations based on its data.
“However, it is understood by taxpayers and parents that there is more for the future of Wisconsin to glean from their public education than simply bottom-line academia,” he told the board. “That is not meant to endorse publicly funded skip sessions to tout radical activism; rather, it is to enshrine the foundations of good character.”
He then asked the school board why the event was not school-sanctioned, but teachers were with students on the day of the event.
He finished by asking for Thennes’ resignation or termination.
The superintendent responded, saying that no staff members at the school were supporting political action but were serving a legal doctrine.
“It’s called In loco parentis,” Thennes recalled. “And what it basically means is that in the absence of parents, we are that. Okay. So if we find out that our kids are leaving our school for something, the school’s job and responsibility is to try and ensure their safety.”
Board President “Biff” Hansen added that there was no forewarning to the district that the protest would occur, and that staff had to react.
He also said that there was no teacher-organized part of it, but kids who saw things they thought were wrong created the event.
Hansen finished saying that students who chose to participate will or already have faced the consequences for skipping a class.
