Board Approves 'Non-Extending' Wauwatosa Administrator's Contract

WAUWATOSA, WI—Wauwatosa School Board approved a personnel consent agenda on Monday recommending the board "non-extend" Kristin Bowers' administrative contract.

Bowers, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, was placed on leave due to a possible conflict of interest issue.

Bowers' current contract, which would have automatically extended without formal action before January 31.

It is not known yet if Bowers will finish her current contract or if the board will decide on a separation agreement.

Earlier this year, the school board approved a three-year, $170,539 contract with AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, a nonprofit that described itself as a group that "changes lives by helping schools shift to a more equitable, student-centered approach."

The apparent conflict of interest involved Bowers and her husband, Brett Bowers, who is a regional associate senior director with AVID.

In October the district sent out a letter regarding AVID and apologized to the school community.

"We have fallen short of our professional standard and that to which the community should hold us. For that, we are deeply sorry," the district said.

In December, the board voted unanimously to terminate the district's relationship with AVID, effective the end of the 2021-22 school year.