SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Sun prairie West High School has announced a leadership change just days into the academic year,with Associate Principal Ed Ford stepping in as acting principal,effective immediately.
The unexpected shift comes as the Sun Prairie Board of Education and the school itself face increased scrutiny regarding their handling of allegations against former Dean of Students robert Gilkey-Meisegeier, who was charged in July with federal child sex crimes. The Board has launched an autonomous inquiry into whether district staff followed proper reporting procedures concerning Gilkey-Meisegeier, and multiple staff members have been placed on leave as both criminal and internal investigations proceed. Principal Jennifer Ploeger, who had begun her fourth year leading the school, is no longer in that role, though the district has not released details regarding her status.
Prosecutors allege Gilkey-Meisegeier engaged in sexual contact with a student, including on school grounds, and misused school surveillance cameras to photograph individuals without their consent.
The Board of Education confirmed last week that several district staff members are currently on leave pending the outcome of the investigations. A Milwaukee-area attorney has been retained to lead the independent review of staff actions related to the Gilkey-Meisegeier case.
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