OCSD Superintendent enters settlement in enrollment malpractice case

Jan. 8—OSKALOOSA — Oskaloosa Community Schools Superintendent Mike Fisher has entered into a settlement agreement with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners that includes a public reprimand and a deferred license suspension.

The settlement agreement was reached in November 2023 and resolves a complaint filed against Fisher alleging that he had engaged in inappropriate enrollment practices during his tenure as the superintendent of Charles City Community Schools.

In the statement of charges against him, Fisher faced four counts, including "falsifying or deliberately misrepresenting or omitting material information regarding compliance reports submitted to federal, state and other governmental agencies" and "submitting fraudulent requests for reimbursement of expenses or for pay."

The document states that in May 2022, the Board of Educational Examiners found probable cause to proceed to a hearing based on allegations that Fisher "enforced an enrollment reporting policy which violated state enrollment reporting requirements."

The document also states that Fisher has admitted to no wrongdoing, but does acknowledge that if the allegations against him were proven in a hearing, they would be grounds for the disciplinary action outlined in the settlement.

In a statement submitted to the Herald on Saturday, Fisher claims the enrollment practices in question were interventions to prevent students from dropping out of school.

"I discovered a situation in which students were being dropped from school without receiving what I felt were the appropriate interventions to encourage them to stay enrolled and be successful," Fisher writes. "I made the decision to implement systems and supports that would resolve this. The idea that kids were not being given every available opportunity to keep working toward a diploma was unacceptable to me."

In an interview with the Herald, Fisher outlined the interventions he says he put in place, which included home visits with students and documentation that the district had gone over alternative school options including online school, alternative placement, workplace-based learning and job corps. School employees would have conversations with parents and students, and finally, Fisher's signature was required on a form before a student could drop out.

"I said: 'You can't get a school permit without me signing it. How the heck can you drop out without me signing a document?'" Fisher said.

Fisher does say that during his time at Charles City there were "some bookkeeping things" that he wasn't aware of, and that some things to do with state reporting in Iowa were brought to his attention that he needed to "do differently or better."

"We learned from that," he said, and went on to add that in Oskaloosa, he does little work with enrollment reporting.

Fisher's statement says that an independent review conducted by Charles City Community Schools found "No conclusions of fraud or malicious actions," but that an additional complaint was filed with the Board of Educational Examiners by a stakeholder.

Fisher, who was announced as the new superintendent of Oskaloosa Community Schools in March 2022, says that he was transparent with the Oskaloosa Board of Education throughout the hiring process. Now, after two years of fighting the charges, Fisher feels the time has come to enter into a settlement, so he can focus on his family and his work as superintendent of Oskaloosa Community Schools.

"What I realized was I could keep fighting this and clear my name, which I know I could, but the problem is it's been going on for almost two years now, and unfortunately, the State of Iowa is super behind on these types of cases. They get tons of these complaints. Unfortunately, it'd be like another year before I could resolve it."

Oskaloosa Board of Education President Charlie Comfort submitted a statement to the Herald on Saturday in support of Fisher.

"[Fisher] has been completely transparent with the board ever since he became aware that a complaint had been filed against him. We appreciate his honesty and the upfront way he has addressed the situation, and we support his decision to accept a settlement agreement," Comfort writes.

"As a board," Comfort added, "we are proud of the work Dr. Fisher is accomplishing here in Oskaloosa, including the implementation of a strong new vision culture, a common-sense approach to achieving academic excellence and a focus on growing our district despite the many challenges facing public education. The settlement agreement does not in any way impact his ability to continue this outstanding work."

Comfort also referenced the independent investigation conducted in Charles City and wrote that "We believe that his efforts to keep the most vulnerable students from dropping out should be commended and applauded," adding that Fisher is "one of the most ethical and honest individuals" he has worked with.

Fisher refers to the reprimand and deferred suspension of his license as "a slap on the wrist" and says he is leaning on his faith and moving forward in humility.

"Sometimes we have to be humbled, and this was a very humbling experience for me," he said. "Sometimes when you do what you believe in, that's what happens, and so I'm just glad to be done with it. I'm glad I can focus on Oskaloosa, and I'm just sorry [for] any inconvenience that it may have caused our school board, or community, or staff, and just looking forward to the future."

Channing Rucks can be reached at crucks@oskyherald.com.