Schools

DA Investigating Open Records Complaint Vs. School District

Radio talk-show host Mark Belling lodged a request for criminal charges alleging superintendent, board president violated Wisconsin's Open Records Law.

The Waukesha District Attorney is investigating whether Menomonee Falls Superintendent Keith Marty and School Board President Kathy Shurilla broke Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law.

Radio talk-show host Mark Belling filed a request with District Attorney Brad Schimel to bring criminal charges against Shurilla and Marty in connection with the . According to the request, Marty failed to fulfill Belling’s records request when he asked for the document on air May 23 — the same day the board was slated to vote on it.

“There is no information at this time.  We have commenced the investigation,” stated Schimel in an email to Patch. “Neither the investigation nor the legal research I will need to do is complete at this point.”

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The board approved a ratified two-year contract after more than four hours of heated debate. A majority of those in attendance that night voiced their strong opposition to the new contract.  Belling lodged his request the following day, and announced it on-air that day.

“Superintendent Marty and Board President Shurilla have been cooperating with the Waukesha County District Attorney’s office and the investigator,” said Kyle Gulya, an attorney representing both. “The investigator has requested information and that information has been provided for their consideration.”

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Marty said the school district has done nothing wrong. Both Marty and Shurilla said they fulfilled their duties under Open Records Law, and have been fully cooperative in the investigation.


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