Surrounded by community leaders, Superintendent of the Green Bay Area Public School District Dr. Michelle Langenfeld responded Tuesday to accusations of ongoing abuse and problems at Washington Middle School.
Dr. Langenfeld said the district has already had a focus on Washington Middle School, but now that there is a wider, community focus, there has been more response from the community to help.
In addition, she said the district will be forming a committee, which members of the public can join, to address the problems and "be a part of the solution" both at Washington Middle School and across the district.
According to Green Bay Board of Education President Brenda Warren, fixing the problems at Washington Middle School has been an ongoing topic of discussion in the district.
"We make sure that the concerns of our open forum speakers are addressed in a timely and satisfactory matter," said Warren.
District officials said they've increased staff support at Washington and met with faculty to hear more about issues there and try to solve them.
The response from the district Tuesday came after a former Green Bay Area Public School teacher said she feared for her safety while teaching at Washington Middle School, and resigned over the many problems there.
Kerstin Westcott announced her resignation to the GBAPSD Board of Education at its June 5 meeting.
Westcott told the Board of Education that she has worked in the district for 12 years and at Washington Middle School for nine.
"I fear for my safety every day," she told the Board on June 5. "I am equally afraid for the safety of my colleagues and most importantly, my students. We are in danger every day when we show up to our school."
Westscott said students and staff are physically, verbally, mentally, emotionally and sexually abused every day at Washington Middle School.
The school district did not respond to any of Westcott's specific claims.
VIDEO: Former Green Bay teacher: School abuses must end
