Can Elmbrook's "Superintendent of the Year" Handle Challenge?
The appearance of increasingly aggressive behavior by Superintendent Mark Hansen in board meetings raises community concern about his treatment of staff behind closed doors.
Is Elmbrook’s “Superintendent of the Year” displaying behavior that aligns with that title? Behavior and comments during recent board meetings appear to show increasing aggression when being questioned by Elmbrook’s elected officials.
During the 9/10/24 board meeting, questions were raised about a proposal that increased property taxes in Elmbrook.
Data that was previously requested was not provided and some board members commented that this issue appeared to be rushed. A standard timeline would include public board discussion in the regular monthly meeting. A board vote would have occurred at a subsequent meeting, giving time for board member reflection, additional questions and the opportunity for community feedback.
Superintendent Mark Hansen’s comments, tone and facial expressions seemed angry over questions about the process, instead of professionally responding to the inquiries.
Later that evening, Mark appeared to get heated again. He spoke without being asked to by the Board of Education and seemed to misunderstand what a board member was saying. Instead of a professional exchange, the Superintendent seemed to interject an accusation towards a board member.
Superintendent: “What do you mean by that [board member]?
Board Member: “Well, if we’re adding $400,000 this year, couldn’t we add another $400,000 worth of SROs [school resource officers] next year?”
Superintendent: “Without board approval, no.”
Board Member: “It’s not without board approval, but the board we could add more next year. That’s what I said. We can.”
Superintendent: “The elected officials could make that decision, correct.”
Board member: “Absolutely.”
Superintendent: “Are you insinuating that we would add more?”
Board member: “We have the right to, is what I said.”
Superintendent: “We as administrators? I’m not sure what you’re insinuating.”
Board member: “I wasn’t talking about you, because you’re not we. The seven of us [board members] are we.”
If the above exchange was in isolation, it would be a simple misunderstanding. But is it?
Recent Superintendent Behavior
One month prior, on 8/13/24, Mark’s comments and behavior also appeared heated before a vote that would impact whether or not explicit books with child rape would continue to be permitted in AP Literature.
His response was a significant shift from prior behavior, and a specific comment about upcoming speeches raised the possibility that he may have recruited and/or encouraged individuals to support his personal opinion, instead of staying neutral.
Earlier in 2024, another response that seemed unprofessional came during the 2/20/24 board meeting, where Superintendent Mark Hansen interjected before a board vote and appeared to quibble with a board member.
Superintendent: “Yeah, [Board member], I’d like to respond to your assertion that we didn’t respond to your suggestions. On February 2nd, you sent an email with a handful of suggestions - do you recall the conversation you and I had that day?”
Board member: “I’m not sure this is the right timing for this…”
Superintendent: “But, I just want to make sure -”
Board member: “This isn’t involving you right now, does it?”
Superintendent: “Pardon me?”
Board member: [Pause] “This should be taken offline as a conversation.”
Superintendent: “Well, you asserted that we didn’t respond to you.”
Board member: “You did not give me any alternatives or options.”
Superintendent: “I provided you insights into each of the suggestions -”
Board member: “You did not provide - I asked for alternatives and options, there was nothing provided.”
Superintendent: “So we did have a conversation on February 2nd…”
What was the purpose of Superintendent Mark Hansen’s interaction? Was it an attempt to sidestep not providing alternatives or options requested by a board member?
“Superintendent of the Year”
Elmbrook has been publicizing Superintendent Mark Hansen winning the 2024 “Superintendent of the Year” from the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA).
When community members reviewed this award, they discovered that Mark was a Director of the WASDA for 2023-2024 and the award is chosen by that same Board of Directors. This raised questions about how much Superintendent Mark Hansen may have been able to influence the award selection.
Given Mark’s leadership role in the WASDA and the “Superintendent of the Year” award, does his recent behavior uphold the stated Code of Ethics for the WASDA?
The first tenant is that they will uphold honor and dignity in all actions and relations with school board members.
A subsequent tenant in the WASDA Code of Ethics “does not permit considerations of private gain nor personal economic interest to affect the discharge of his/her professional responsibilities” by a professional school administrator, such as Superintendent Mark Hansen.
As previously covered, applications for the “Superintendent of the Year” award were due 9/1/23, so as Mark Hansen was negotiating his Elmbrook contract renewal in fall of 2023, he would have been aware of his award application. His award was officially received 1/17/24 and his contract was approved 2/20/24. He may have leveraged this award to get an additional bonus as it was specifically named in his Elmbrook contract:
“We all deserve respect.”
Seemingly aggressive behavior in board meetings comes from the same Superintendent who told (then candidate) Preetha Kurudiyara in 2023 that “we all deserve respect” after she said her name being mispronounced was “reprehensible.” As it was, after her name was stated the individual added “I hope I said that correctly” and Preetha’s (then) opponent’s name was also mispronounced.
Preetha was elected to the board by a slim majority in 2023 and subsequent review of the voter rolls has raised concerns of fraud, including questionable board member activity.
Preetha was arrested in November 2023 and is facing a felony charge of substantial battery. A court order currently only allows supervised visits with her children. Additionally, Preetha was charged with a hit and run which occurred at the Waukesha County Courthouse. She has not resigned from the Board of Education despite calls otherwise.
What is the community response?
Questions on the Superintendent’s behavior were circulated in an email among the community in late August.
In addition, social media discussed his behavior, raising questions about his treatment of Elmbrook staff behind closed doors.
Final Thoughts
Is Elmbrook’s “Superintendent of the Year” behaving professionally and respectfully to his community, including elected officials? Why does he interject his responses during public board meetings while elected officials wait to be called on to speak?
Does the adage of “a truth does not mind being questioned, but a lie does not like being challenged” apply here?
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