Ploeger was removed from her position following Gilkey-Meisegeier’s arrest.
Sun Prairie Police Chief Kevin Warych said an incident in April involving Gilkey-Meisegeier and a student resulted in the dean being placed on administrative leave. But the allegations were not reported to either the Sun Prairie Police Department or the Dane County Child Protective Services as mandatory reporting laws require.
Another incident involving a different Sun Prairie School District staff member was also not reported by Ploeger, Warych said.
“Protecting children is not a priority, but it is our duty. It is the foundation of our work,” Warych said.
Ploeger’s attorney, Jason Luczak, preempted the announcement with a 2 p.m. press conference in Milwaukee. Ploeger was not in attendance.
“Her heart was always in the right place, and she was always trying to do the right thing for the children and trying to manage the situation,” Luczak said. “And frankly, there was no intent she had to protect someone. Her biggest priority has been to protect kids.”