FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WBAY) – The Fond du Lac School District superintendent who has been facing backlash from educators and community members regarding his behavior has announced that he’s leaving the district in June.
Dr. Jeff Fleig wrote in a letter to parents on Friday that he’s planning to retire on June 30th to prioritize his family, as his son is a Division I swimmer at Arizona State and is preparing for the 2028 Olympic Trials.
“My mission in the Fond du Lac School District is complete. I am deeply grateful to the community, the administrative team, the superintendent’s office staff, and all staff members for your unwavering support. It has been a true privilege to serve alongside you,” said Fleig in the letter.
Fleig has faced backlash in recent months, with former teachers and community members accusing him of belittling teachers and telling them they could be fired at the end of the year.
“You just felt so kicked down, me and my colleagues, again we all left that meeting just in dismay. It was awful, and yet we were supposed to go about and teach like nothing had happened,” said Amy Lubin, former 7th Grade Teacher at Woodworth Middle School, at a school board meeting in October.
“Since Jeff Fleig’s employment with Fond du Lac School District he has ruled with fear and intimidation,” said resident Wayne Wilson at a school board meeting in November. “This has cost the district thousands of years of experience in quality staff members. They have left either by forced resignation, forced retirements, or overall personal choice. Fond du Lac has lost over approximately 350 since Jeff Fleig was hired starting three and a half years ago.”
The Fond du Lac School Board has backed Fleig, releasing a statement in November saying:
Over the past month, we have heard from many individuals who have shared their passion and vision for the future direction of our district. These voices are invaluable, and we want to assure you that the Board of Education has listened carefully to all perspectives. At the heart of our work is a shared commitment to provide the best possible education for our students. The Board remains steadfast in its dedication to the key pillars of our strategic plan: student achievement, safety, a collaborative culture, and employee engagement. We always will continue to strive for continuous improvement.
Through discussions, and through collaboration, the Board has entrusted Dr. Fleig to lead the implementation of this plan, with a primary focus on improving student outcomes. While we understand that change can be challenging and may be met with some resistance, this thoughtful, deliberate progress will continue to strengthen our schools and support the success of every student.
We value the ongoing dialogue with our community and encourage continued collaboration as we move forward together. As a Board, we will continue to support Dr. Fleig fully as he leads the district in the direction we have set for him.
Sincerely,
Todd Schreiter, Board President
You can read Fleig’s full letter below.
Dear Staff:
After taking time to reflect over winter break, I’ve realized it is time to prioritize my family. My son attends Arizona State University and is on the swim team. Over the next three years, I want to focus on supporting him as he competes at the NCAA Division I level and prepares for the 2028 Olympic Trials.
As I prepare for the next chapter, I am announcing my intent to retire on June 30, 2025. My mission in the Fond du Lac School District is complete. I am deeply grateful to the community, the administrative team, the superintendent’s office staff, and all staff members for your unwavering support.
It has been a true privilege to serve alongside you. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge your steadfast support as we successfully transformed our school district. Together, we have significantly improved outcomes for our students and established strong staff leadership that will propel the district forward for years to come. Thank you for your invaluable contributions.
After more than three years of leading the Fond du Lac School District, I can confidently say that we are now in a much stronger position than when I took the helm on July 1, 2021.l am especially proud that, for the first time in 11 years, all 14 schools have met expectations on the DPI Report Card. Furthermore, our district’s ranking has risen to 205 out of 421 in the State of Wisconsin, a remarkable leap from 375 out of 421 when I started. These impressive results are a testament to your support and the unwavering commitment of our administration and staff.
I implore the Board and the staff to stay the course, focusing on student outcomes, going forward. I look forward to watching the Fond du Lac School District continue its upward trajectory from afar.
Sincerely,
Jeff Fleig, Ph.D
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