Principal, 2 Teachers Resign From Wauwatosa School

WAUWATOSA, WI— A principal and two teachers have resigned from a Wauwatosa elementary school, according to a letter from Jennifer Fotsch, director of human resources.

The letter, which was addressed to the Jefferson school community, announced Jennifer Schultz, decided to end her tenure as principal of Jefferson Elementary School as of last Friday.

Patch reached out to Fotsch on Tuesday afternoon for more information.

Veteran principal Mark Carter will assume the role of acting principal at the school. Carter was principal at McKinley Elementary School and Longfellow Middle School before ascending to the role of director of secondary education in the district office, the letter said.

Second grade teacher Josh Heisdorf resigned effective immediately. Fifth grade teacher Sam Hett's last day is this Friday.

"The sudden departure of two teachers within the first 10 weeks of the school year is unprecedented for the district. However, in the wake of COVID-19, Human Resources departments in school districts across the nation are experiencing unusual job departure patterns. It was once rare to have educators leave in the middle of the school year; unfortunately, now it is much more common," the letter said.

The district will post immediately to fill these classroom vacancies. The district will post the principalship vacancy in February.

There will be listening sessions planned to discuss potential solutions to the current challenges at Jefferson, the letter said.