TMJ4 News has filed a formal complaint against the St. Francis School District after its superintendent, Deborah Kerr, blocked reporters from filming a public school board meeting—an act the station believes violates Wisconsin’s open meetings law.
The incident occurred on Monday, June 2, when TMJ4’s Megan Lee and a photographer attempted to attend and film a regular board meeting, according to TMJ4. Their aim was to cover potential public comment about former junior varsity baseball coach Jeff Wuerl, who was recently arrested by Milwaukee police and removed from his coaching role.
Instead of being allowed access, Lee was confronted by Kerr.
“You are not filming our meeting tonight. My board is not prepared for that,” Kerr said in a video of the exchange.
When Lee asked to see documentation barring them from filming, Kerr threatened to call the police.
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According to Wisconsin State Law 19.90, public meetings must make a “reasonable effort to accommodate any person desiring to record, film or photograph the meeting.” TMJ4’s legal counsel, Tom Kamenick, founder of The Wisconsin Transparency Project, filed a verified complaint on Wednesday with Milwaukee County’s Corporation Counsel.
“She was violating the law,” Kamenick said. “We are asking the equivalent of the district attorney for Milwaukee to bring a prosecution.”
Kerr cited a board policy requiring advance notice from individuals planning to record meetings. However, Kamenick countered that state law does not allow public bodies to impose such conditions as long as recording does not obstruct the meeting.
The relevant school board bylaw (Policy 0167.3) does permit recordings but asks those recording to contact the superintendent in advance to discuss equipment placement and agree to terms. Kamenick maintains such a requirement is unenforceable under state law.
On Thursday afternoon following the incident, Kerr issued a statement to the St. Francis community apologizing for her actions and expressing regret:
“In hindsight, I wish I had approached it differently, and I regret any frustration or uncertainty this may have caused,” she wrote.
Kerr added that she was trying to follow district policy while being mindful of a sensitive personnel matter involving the former coach.
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TMJ4, however, remains firm in its stance that no public official has the right to block access to an open meeting, and their legal action seeks to reinforce that principle.
The case now lies with Milwaukee County’s Corporation Counsel, which will determine whether to pursue legal action against the district and its board.