Kewaskum district administrator fields questions about new business manager

Kewaskum, Wi – A couple more details are coming to light regarding the Kewaskum School District’s latest hire. Keith Brightman is the new business manager. He fills the slot previously held by Julie Thoreson who retired at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

According to district administrator Mark Bazata, Brightman’s salary is $153,000. Thoreson retired at a salary of $129,044.

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Bazata said the three board members on the interview committee were Tim Ramthun, Stephanie Bird, and Ric Leitheiser.

Bazata also confirmed, “We did not receive any letters of recommendation from the Wauwatosa School District.”

Neighbors questioned the district’s hiring of Brightman, who left the Wauwatosa School District as it was under investigation for alleged budgetary discrepancies, according to Milwaukee media, which totaled between $4 million and $13 million.

Bazata responded to several questions following an open records request.

WCI – Who was on hiring committee for Business manager hire of Brightman?

MB – The Business Manager interview committee comprised myself, three Board members, two administrators, two directors, and four staff members. Most of the committee members are also community members.

WCI – Did you receive any recommendations on Keith Brightman from the Wauwatosa School District? The District’s denial of a response to this question is below.

WCI – If you can outline the checks and balances KSD has in place, so the Wauwatosa SD issue does not happen in Kewaskum.

MB – As for the checks and balances we have in place, please see the attached Strategies for Ensuring Financial Accuracy and Budget Integrity at the Kewaskum School District.

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August 26, 2024 – Kewaskum, WI – The Kewaskum School District holds its annual meeting tonight, August 26, 2024, beginning at 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium. During the meeting residents of the Kewaskum School District will have the opportunity to vote on the 2024-25 tax levy.

One question the public is also expected to bring up is the recent hire of new business manager Keith Brightman. According to school board president Jim Leister, Brightman was hired in July 2024 to replace Julie Thoreson who retired at the end of the last school year.

Neighbors have questioned the district’s hiring of Brightman, who left the Wauwatosa School District as it was under investigation for alleged budgetary discrepancies, according to Milwaukee media, which totaled between $4 million and $13 million.

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Brightman’s LinkedIn account said he worked as the Chief Financial Officer in the Wauwatosa School District from June 2022 – July 2024. Prior to that he worked in the Menomonee Falls School District for 6.5 years, the Elmbrook School District for just over four years, the East Troy Community School District for 3 years and the West Bend School District July 2003 – June 2006 · 3 years.

Leister was contacted Sunday evening and said he stood behind the hire. ” I trust him,” he said. “I have no problem with keeping him.”

Questioned about the reports regarding “budget discrepancies” in the Wauwatosa School District, Leister said, “They don’t accuse him of anything. Correct?  Let me ask you this, if his hands were dirty for $13 million don’t you think he’d be named in an investigation?  If it was his fault, don’t you think his name would be attached to it?”

There were about 16 people, according to Leister, who applied for the business manager position in Kewaskum. “We whittled that down to seven,” he said.

A committee interviewed and selected Brightman. Leister confirmed a background check was conducted.

Neighbors in Kewaskum have been vocal about the hiring situation on social media. Some questioned the fact Kewaskum has had its fair share of time in the spotlight from charges surrounding the former police liaison officer, to a student who outran the police and was eventually charged but remained at the high school, to another student expelled because of adult material on his phone.

“Don’t forget the school board member who rescued some people from a house fire,” said Leister referencing his May 25, 2024, rescue of three people after a fire engulfed their home on Highway 28.

Pressed on the issue of the financial investigation at Brightman’s previous employer, Leister was adamant the situation was being blown out of proportion and said he has checks and balances in place and taxpayers can rest assured the district is in good hands.

“Absolutely, nobody has, nobody has free reign in my organization,” he said.

During tonight’s annual meeting, Leister expects Brightman to answer the public.

“I want him to stand up for himself,” he said.

Brightman will give the budget presentation at the annual meeting.

An open records request has been filed with the Kewaskum School District on Brightman’s salary, Thorsen’s salary, who was on the committee that interviewed for the business manager opening, and did the superintendent know about the investigation in Wauwatosa prior to Brightman’s hire.

This is a working story, and more information will be posted when details are available.