MEQUON -- We're finally getting answers about why a longtime Homestead High School math teacher stepped down.
Krista Lesiecki's 18-year career with the Mequon-Thiensville School District came to an end following an investigation into her behavior surrounding questions about a student's grade.
TODAY’S TMJ4 obtained school documents through a public records request showing that a parent e-mailed the teacher about their daughter’s low test score in September.
The school principal said Lesiecki blamed the student's performance on the school’s new trimester schedule. But Lesiecki says she was referring to the schedule only to say that she too needed to make changes to adjust to it.
RELATED:
- Homestead Teacher, District Reach Agreement on Dismissal
- Longtime Homestead Teacher Placed on Administrative Leave
In October, the teacher and the parents met to further discuss the student’s poor performance, and they told Lesiecki that their daughter claimed she's not receiving enough instruction.
The next day, Lesiecki spoke to the student after class, admitting she asked the girl why she "lied” to her parents about what was happening in the classroom.
The school's investigation determined Lesiecki's behavior violated the school's code of conduct and placed her on administrative leave.
At the time, Mequon-Thiensville School District Superintendent Dr. Demond Means would only describe the situation as something that “goes against our core principals.”
Former students and friends helped catch the public’s attention with a Facebook group supporting the math teacher.
Last month, the teacher and school superintendent issued a joint statement announcing Lesiecki would remain on paid leave the rest of the school year, at which point her employment with the district would officially end.
Under state law, school administrators can't discuss this issue since it's a personnel matter. Lesiecki told TODAY’S TMJ4 that she's been advised not to talk about the situation.
School records show that this wasn’t the first time parents had complained about Lesiecki's grading.
