In a June 22, 2026, article reporting the resignation of the Watertown Unified School District’s Superintendent, the Watertown Daily Times falsely accused the District of improperly denying the Daily Times’ prior request for public records related to the reasons for the Superintendent’s recent leave of absence. The District is dedicated to government transparency and takes its obligations under Wisconsin’s Public Records Law seriously. However, Wis. Stat. § 19.36(10)(b) expressly prohibits disclosure of the following: “Information relating to the current investigation of … possible misconduct connected with employment by an employee prior to disposition of the investigation.” At the time the Daily Times submitted their request, the District was legally obligated to deny their request on this basis. As a news organization, the Daily Times should know better, and their allegation against the District is, at best, irresponsible. It is also telling that, despite their public accusation, the Daily Times took no legal action to enforce what they claim was their right to the records at issue. The District will continue to process public records requests in accordance with District policy and applicable law.
Best regards,
Laurie Hoffmann