Nurse, Krystal

From: K< >

Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021 8:06 PM
To: Nurse, Krystal
Subject: More emails

This is the thread calling for the meeting where I was reprimanded, threatened to have a formal reprimand placed in my
professional file, and informed that I was being reprimanded for the following MPS Board of Education Policies:

PO 3112: Board Staff Communication

PO 2240: controversial issues

While in this meeting, it was stated that "controversial topics are anything political in nature. This would include things
like diversity, reproductive nature, sex ed, covid, the pandemic. We find this to be similar to that." They went on to
describe these as "hot topics" including, "diversity, covid, politics".

From: Krista E. Voss < >

Sent: Monday, January 18, 2021 4:23 PM
To: Katelyne E. Thomas < >
Cc: Michael J. Prelesnik < >; Jennifer L. Meeuwenberg
< >; Jennifer L. Sauser < >; Cynthia L. Hyaduck
< >
Subject: Re: Black Lives Matter In School- Week of action

It is my understanding that you have prep on Monday from 11-11:40. We can meet then to talk
more.

Krista Voss
Mason Public Schools
Special Education Director

From: Katelyne E. Thomas < >

Sent: Monday, January 18, 2021 3:57 PM
To: Krista E. Voss < >
Cc: Michael J. Prelesnik < >; Jennifer L. Meeuwenberg
< >; Jennifer L. Sauser < >; Cynthia L. Hyaduck
< >
Subject: Re: Black Lives Matter In School- Week of action

This sounds like something that could be addressed in an email, given a concrete chain of command and
process for introducing new curriculum should be outlined in writing somewhere. I'm happy to review that
information if it's forwarded to me.

I am not able to meet outside of the school day due to my parental responsibilities. Please let me know if you'd
like me to put in for a sub for this meeting.

1
Katelyne Thomas
Special Education Teacher
North Aurelius Elementary School

From: Krista E. Voss < >

Sent: Monday, January 18, 2021 3:53 PM
To: Katelyne E. Thomas < >
Cc: Michael J. Prelesnik < >; Jennifer L. Meeuwenberg
< >; Jennifer L. Sauser < >; Cynthia L. Hyaduck
< >
Subject: Re: Black Lives Matter In School- Week of action

To discuss the chain of command and process of teaching new units of study and how they
work within core curriculum and IEP goals and objectives.

I have also included Cindy Hyaduck in this email as she is the special ed rep.

Krista Voss
Mason Public Schools
Special Education Director

From: Katelyne E. Thomas < >

Sent: Monday, January 18, 2021 3:28 PM
To: Krista E. Voss < >
Cc: Michael J. Prelesnik < >; Jennifer L. Meeuwenberg
< >; Jennifer L. Sauser < >
Subject: Re: Black Lives Matter In School- Week of action

Hello Krista,

Since you've advised me to invite an MDMEA rep to this meeting, I have attached Jen Sauser
and Jen Meeuwenberg on this response. Can you please clarify the purpose of this meeting
prior to us setting up a date?

Thanks,

Katelyne Thomas
Special Education Teacher
North Aurelius Elementary School

From: Krista E. Voss < >

Sent: Monday, January 18, 2021 3:25 PM
To: Katelyne E. Thomas < >
2
Cc: Michael J. Prelesnik < >
Subject: Re: Black Lives Matter In School- Week of action

Katelyne,

Mike and I would like to meet with you regarding your above email on Jan 25th. Please be
aware that you have the right to have a MDMEA with you at the meeting.

Please let us know as soon as possible a time that works.

Krista Voss
Mason Public Schools
Special Education Director

From: K < >

Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2021 2:56 PM
To: Ronald Drzewicki, Ed.S.
<

>; Steve Duane < >

Cc: Krista E. Voss < >; Michael J. Prelesnik < >; Angie J.
Vandecar < >; Rick Brooks < >
Subject: Black Lives Matter In School- Week of action

Hide quoted text

Good Afternoon,

I hope this email finds you well. With Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black history month approaching, I'd like to
encourage MPS to publicly address the school community in support of all our students, staff, and families. I,
along with some of my colleagues who find diversity to be of the utmost importance, will be engaging our
classrooms in National Black Lives Matter In School week of action. I've included a direct link that includes an
abundance of resources and information on the event. School districts across the country are standing in
support of Black students and families by publicly supporting this week of action in February. It would send a
powerful statement to the Mason community and school population if MPS took this important step in support of
diversity and inclusion in our schools.

https://www.blacklivesmatteratschool.com/starter-kit.html

I hope that you're able to take some time out of your schedule to preview some of the content on the website.
This week of action will obviously look different given the grade level and student ability, but the core values
remain the same and are critically important and essential to our teaching. I am excited to see what
conversations and growth that I get to make with my students. I can only hope that all teachers, with the
encouragement and partnership of administration, will also take action in their classrooms.

Sincerely,

Katelyne Thomas

3
Nurse, Krystal

From: K
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021 8:11 PM
To: Nurse, Krystal
Subject: Fwd: Fw: Staff Communications to the Board

This was sent to me from the superintendent, the day after my supervisor notified me of the meeting.

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: Katelyne E. Thomas
Date: Thu, Jan 28, 2021, 8:07 PM
Subject: Fw: Staff Communications to the Board
To: Katelyne Dakin < >

Katelyne Thomas
Special Education Teacher
North Aurelius Elementary School

From: Ronald Drzewicki, Ed.S. >

Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 8:08 AM
To: Katelyne E. Thomas < >
Cc: Krista E. Voss < >; Michael J. Prelesnik < >; Angie J. Vandecar
< >; Rick Brooks < >; Carla E. Richards < >;
Jennifer L. Meeuwenberg < >
Subject: Staff Communications to the Board

Katelyne,

In response to your email dated January 16, 2021, that was sent to the Board of Education and lead administrators, I
want to remind you of Board of Education Policy #4112. Policy #4112 states, “All communications from staff members to
the Board or its committees shall be submitted through the Superintendent.”

Your email contained information related to the teaching of curriculum, within your role as a staff member. That should
be communicated to Mr. Prelesnik and Mrs. Voss, and if appropriate. with a request that it is shared with the
Superintendent and/or the Board.

1
Nurse, Krystal

From: K< >

Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021 8:15 PM
To: Nurse, Krystal
Subject: More emails

This was the follow up email sent the day after the meeting.

From: Krista E. Voss < >

Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 11:13 AM
To: Jennifer L. Sauser < >; Jennifer L. Meeuwenberg < >
Cc: Michael J. Prelesnik < >
Subject: Follow up from yesterday's meeting

We appreciate your perspective during our meeting today. We agree that a teacher is not privy to board
policy and we agree that our discussion regarding this today is where we leave things, without anything
going into Katelyne's file. We do ask to be partners with new topics/issues/activities especially ones
addressing current events.

In the sprite of recognizing the many changes this school year has entailed and the change in
instructional practice that the 2020-21 school year has brought us, one week of lesson plans during
Katelyne's observation week (Feb 8-12th) will suffice. There will be times throughout the school year
that I will ask teachers for lesson plans as it provides me an additional way to understand the teaching
and learning going on in the special education classrooms.

Would you like to pass this along to Katelyne or would you suggest an email from Mike and I?

Krista Voss
Mason Public Schools
Special Education Director

1
Thank you for your cooperation.

Ronald Drzewicki, Ed.S.

Superintendent

2
Nurse, Krystal

From: K< >

Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2021 7:06 PM
To: Nurse, Krystal
Subject: Fwd: Fw: Topics

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: Katelyne E. Thomas < >
Date: Thu, Feb 25, 2021, 6:13 PM
Subject: Fw: Topics
To: >

Katelyne Thomas
Special Education Teacher
North Aurelius Elementary School

From: Katelyne E. Thomas < >

Sent: Monday, February 1, 2021 8:45 AM
To: Krista E. Voss < >
Subject: Re: Topics

Krista,

Following up again for clarity from you. Other administration has advised their staff they can supplement in teaching
topics of diversity. I was told I cannot. Again, I am confused.

Thanks for your guidance on this!

Katelyne Thomas
Special Education Teacher
North Aurelius Elementary School

From: Katelyne E. Thomas < >

Sent: Friday, January 29, 2021 9:43 PM
To: Krista E. Voss < >
Subject: Re: Topics

1
Hi Krista,

I guess I'm confused. In our meeting on Monday you stated, "controversial topics are anything political in nature. This
would include things like diversity, reproductive nature, sex ed, covid/pandemic. We find this to be similar to that." You
also discussed not teaching "hot topics" in the classroom which you said, "are things like diversity, covid, and politics".

I feel like I'm getting conflicting information. I appreciate your clarity.

Katelyne Thomas
Special Education Teacher
North Aurelius Elementary School

From: Krista E. Voss < >

Sent: Friday, January 29, 2021 3:07 PM
To: Katelyne E. Thomas < >
Subject: Re: Topics

Please work from direction Mike provided to all building staff.

Krista Voss
Mason Public Schools
Special Education Director

From: Katelyne E. Thomas < >

Sent: Friday, January 29, 2021 1:18 PM
To: Krista E. Voss < >
Subject: Re: Topics

Hi Krista,

Just following up on this. I try not to check my email often on weekends to maintain boundaries. Without guidance, I can
only assume that my personal judgement on content and topics is allowable.

Thanks!

Katelyne Thomas
Special Education Teacher
North Aurelius Elementary School

From: Katelyne E. Thomas

Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021 2:06 PM
To: Krista E. Voss < >
Subject: Topics

Hi Krista,
2
Following up to our meeting on Tuesday, can you please provide me clarity on what I need permission for.
Black history month is next week. You stated in our meeting that any current events and topics of diversity
would be considered political. I want to be sure that I'm meeting your expectations in seeking approval.

Thanks,

Katelyne Thomas
Special Education Teacher
North Aurelius Elementary School