Defending Andy Space: R4WCSD

This winter, the group R4WCSD worked diligently around the clock, communicating with and collecting signatures from the community in an effort to recall School board president Angela Hanson-Winker. Their feat was quite amazing they accomplished so much more all in the name of doing what is best for the kids. They must have known what is best for kids is neighborhoods pitted against neighbors, family against family, teachers against teachers. Well here is a tiny fraction of “facts” they must have shared on their private Facebook Group. 

Article Key Points:  

• • Misrepresentation of the Law: Superintendent Andy Space incorrectly claimed that the Whitaker v. Kenosha Unified School District case is the law in Wisconsin, misleading the board and the public.
  • Inappropriate Debate: Space engaged in debates with board members, undermining the board’s authority and creating unnecessary conflict.
  • Trust and Accountability: Board member Tiffany Van Vreede expressed trust in Space during the August board meeting but failed to balance this trust with accountability, overlooking her role as his superior.
  • Unfounded Assertions: Board members Van Vreede, Lemke, and Warner voted to replace references to students’ biological sex with gender identity, claiming it was necessary to protect all students despite the new regulations’ impact on girls and the current Title IX policy covering all students.
  • Federal Funding Claims: A few Board members incorrectly claimed that the district would lose federal funding if the change was not made, despite the fact that a school district has never lost federal monies from a Title IX case. 
  • Investigation and Allegations: Space was investigated for multiple allegations, including questionable contractual matters, unauthorized school purchases, open meetings, law violations, misuse of legal counsel, strained board/staff relations, and insubordination.
  • Retirement Amidst Controversy: Space retired early in January 2025 amidst the investigation, highlighting the seriousness of the alligations.

Space Claims Close but Not Correct

The July 24, 2024, Wrightstown Community School District board meeting took a dramatic turn when Superintendent Andy Space made a controversial claim during a Title IX discussion. Space asserted that the Whitaker v. Kenosha Unified School District case is the law in Wisconsin, a false and misleading statement. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Whitaker ruling set a legal precedent. Unfortunately, for Space, legal precedence is a guideline that can be applied to very similar cases; it is not a law.  

Misrepresentation of the Law

First and foremost, it is crucial to reemphasize that the Whitaker v. Kenosha case is not the law in Wisconsin. This case, decided by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017, involved a transgender student’s right to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. The court’s decision was specific to the circumstances of that case and does not constitute a blanket law for the entire state. By presenting it as such, Andy Space misled the board and the public.

Role of the Superintendent

In Wisconsin, the superintendent’s role is to advise the school board, which then makes its decisions as it was elected to do. Not only did Andy Space step over the line when he made false claims regarding Whitaker, but it is also alleged he engaged in a heated debate over the subject, demanding he was correct. A superintendent’s role is to provide accurate information and support the board in making informed decisions. Engaging in debates can undermine the board’s authority and create unnecessary conflict. It is essential for the superintendent to maintain a professional and supportive relationship with the board rather than positioning himself as an adversary.

Trust and Accountability

In the same meeting board member Tiffany Van Vreede expressed her trust in Andy Space, suggesting that she felt he was part of the board and we should rely on his expertise. However, it is important for board members to remember her role as a board member and the superintendent’s superior. Trust is vital, but it must be balanced with accountability. The board’s responsibility is to ensure that the superintendent’s actions and statements are accurate and in the best interest of the community.

Board Decisions on Gender Identity

In the same meeting, board members Van Vreede, Lemke, and Warner voted in favor of replacing references to students’ biological sex with gender identity in district policies, claiming the change was necessary to protect all children. However, this assertion is unfounded as the current Title IX policy already covers all students regardless of sex or sexual orientation. Additionally, they claimed that the district would lose federal funding if the change was not made, despite being informed each of Wrightstown’s three schools had students with parents who were members of Moms for Liberty.  

The Moms for Liberty ruling has been significant in halting the enforcement of the Biden administration’s new Title IX regulations that would broadly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. Federal District Court for the State of Kansas issued a preliminary injunction, blocking the regulation in several states, including Kansas, Alaska, Utah, and Wyoming. This ruling also applies to schools attended by children whose parents are members of Moms for Liberty, Female Athletes United, and Young America’s Foundation. The injunction reflects a broader resistance to the Biden administration’s efforts to redefine sex discrimination under Title IX.

Furthermore, Space argued that the changes needed to be made by the beginning of the school year, and some board members argued that compliance was mandatory, even though several school districts across Wisconsin have refused to follow the Biden administration’s guidelines. Meeting minutes confirm the split board with Lemke, Warner, and Van Vreede’s ideological standpoint on this issue, which appears to align more with a national agenda than with the specific needs and values of the Wrightstown community.

Detrimental Effects of Superintendent’s Conduct

The Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA) emphasizes the importance of a collaborative and respectful relationship between superintendents and school boards. Engaging in debates with board members can be detrimental to this relationship and is generally discouraged. Such behavior can erode trust and respect, which are crucial for effective governance. It can also lead to conflicts and divisions within the board, making it difficult to achieve consensus and work towards common goals.

Investigation and Retirement

Andy Space’s conduct during the Title IX discussion was just one of several issues that led to his early retirement in January 2025. Space was investigated for multiple allegations, including questionable contractual matters, unauthorized school purchases, open meetings law violations, misuse of legal counsel, strained board/staff relations, and insubordination.

The investigation revealed significant concerns:

Validity of Contract: Questions were raised about the legitimacy of Space’s latest employment contract, including whether proper procedures were followed during its formation and approval.
Unauthorized Decisions: Allegations suggested that Space overstepped his authority regarding the development of athletic facilities within the district, making unauthorized decisions and potential conflicts of interest.
Questionable Expenditures: There were serious concerns about district expenditures under Space’s leadership, including questionable spending practices and a lack of transparency in financial matters.
Exceeding Authority: Space was accused of exceeding his authority concerning board agendas, meetings, policies, and governance, making unilateral decisions without proper board approval.
Insubordination: Allegations of insubordination to staff and individual board members surfaced, including instances of disregarding directives and undermining the board’s authority.

During the February 13, 2025, board meeting, district counsel attorney James Macy, in an open session, revealed that Board President Hanson Winker had been working since late July to develop an improvement plan to assist Andy Space. This debunks the claims made by Rayn Warner, Lempke, and Van Vreede that she launched an investigation into Space well before they were made aware.     

After the February Meeting, questions have arisen as to why the three board members would provide the community with misleading information regarding the starting date of the investigation into Andy Space. Unfortunately for Hanson-Winker, the claims made against her by Warner, Lemke, and Van Vreede about the investigation start date were debunked the same week the signatures were submitted to the district for her recall.  

Legal counsel revealed during the same meeting that while the plan was being worked on to help Andy improve, more issues surfaced, and it became clear that more decisive action was needed.

Space ultimately chose to retire rather than address the allegations. He could have done this in a private or public hearing.  His decision left several of his supporters in shock by denying them ability to find out exactly what the issues were if he would have chosen to a hearing to address each of the issues.

Conclusion? Doubtful, as More Information Becomes Public, The More We Learn

The recent events in Wrightstown highlight the importance of accurate information and professional conduct in school district leadership. Superintendent Andy Space’s misrepresentation of the Whitaker case and his inappropriate debate with board members were concerning. Coupled with the numerous allegations against him, it is evident that significant missteps and a lack of accountability marked Space’s tenure.

By addressing these issues proactively, the Wrightstown Community School District could have moved forward with a focus on transparency, accountability, and the well-being of all students. Instead, a private Facebook Group was set up by three board members claiming to tell us what was really going on behind closed doors at the school board meetings that dominated the community for months.

The group instantly claimed to have the facts. If they had only been committed to telling the community the truth, maybe Wrightstown would not be so divided.   

Did you sign the recall? Were you told Hanson-Winker attempted to get Space help? Were you told she launched an investigation to fire him? The group R4WCSD claims to give us the facts. Wouldn’t it have been nice if they just told the community the TRUTH?