The White Bear Lake Area Schools superintendent has publicly addressed the fraudulent enrollment of a 22-year-old man in a district high school. The statement came during a contentious school board meeting where community members expressed sharply divided opinions on the district's handling of the security breach.
Officials confirmed that 22-year-old Kelvin Luebke used a false identity to enroll as a student. The incident has prompted a police investigation and raised questions about the district's enrollment verification procedures and student safety protocols.
Key Takeaways
- A 22-year-old man, Kelvin Luebke, used a fake identity to enroll at White Bear Lake High School.
- Police are investigating Luebke for potential criminal sexual conduct and other offenses after students reported receiving messages from him.
- Superintendent Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak stated the district's enrollment process is as strong as state law permits.
- A recent school board meeting revealed a deep community divide, with some parents praising the district's response and others demanding more transparency.
- Motions to extend public comment and require a report on safety measures failed to pass at the board meeting.
Community Divided at Tense School Board Meeting
A recent school board meeting for White Bear Lake Area Schools was filled to capacity, requiring an overflow room to accommodate the large number of attendees. The public comment period highlighted a significant split within the community regarding the district's response to the enrollment of Kelvin Luebke.
Some parents voiced strong support for the administration. One parent thanked Superintendent Kazmierczak and the high school principal for what they described as “swift action, full transparency, cooperation with law enforcement, and direct communication with parents.”
However, other community members expressed deep frustration. Joshua Wickander, a former district parent who still resides in the area, articulated a contrasting view.
“I’ve become frustrated with transparency, frustrated with accountability, and frustrated with not wanting to hear opinions that differ from yours, and functioning behind closed doors,” Wickander stated during the meeting.
Background of the Incident
The case came to public attention after it was discovered that Kelvin Luebke, a 22-year-old adult, had successfully enrolled as a teenager at White Bear Lake High School. The district reported that he used fraudulent documents to create a false identity, allowing him to bypass their standard enrollment procedures.
Superintendent Defends District's Actions
During the superintendent's report segment of the meeting, Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak made his first public comments on the matter. He defended the district's current protocols and expressed confidence in their effectiveness.
“I also want our families and community members to know that we have carefully reviewed our enrollment procedures and are confident our processes are as strong as they can be,” Kazmierczak said. He added that the district's process is “as rigorous as state law allows.”
Despite his public statement, the superintendent declined to answer direct questions from the media. Following the meeting's adjournment, a reporter from 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS approached Kazmierczak for comment, but he reportedly refused and walked away. This has fueled criticism from those seeking more detailed information about the security failure.
Details of the Police Investigation Emerge
Court documents provide more insight into the seriousness of the situation. A search warrant affidavit reveals that police are investigating Luebke for several potential crimes, including criminal sexual conduct, soliciting a minor, and possession of child pornography.
The investigation was reportedly initiated after several female students came forward. According to the warrant, these students informed police that Luebke had been communicating with them through text messages and on various social media platforms.
Investigative Focus
Investigators obtained a warrant to search Kelvin Luebke’s phone. The primary goal of the search is to find evidence related to the alleged inappropriate communications with minors and to determine if any illegal materials were stored on the device.
The allegations have significantly heightened concerns among parents about the potential risks posed to students during the time Luebke was attending the school.
Board Actions and Union Support
While the board did not extensively discuss the fraudulent enrollment, member Daniel Skaar attempted to address community concerns by introducing two motions. The first motion proposed extending the time for public comment, and the second called for the district to formally report on the steps it has taken to ensure student safety following the incident.
Both motions failed to gain the necessary support from other board members and were defeated. The lack of board action on these proposals drew criticism from parents who believe the district is not being sufficiently proactive or transparent.
Amid the public debate, the district's leadership received a vote of confidence from the local educators' union. Tiffany Dittrich, President of the White Bear Lake Area Educators, Local #7286, released a statement supporting the administration.
“White Bear Lake Area Educators stands with members of our community who support Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak and members of the board who continue to lead with restraint and integrity, keeping attention on what matters most — our students,” the statement read.
The union's statement also suggested that a “small number of individuals have tried to use this difficult situation to try to divide and distract by turning it into something political or personal.” The district has not announced any specific changes to its enrollment policies at this time.
