WAUKESHA, Wis. — In a significant victory for government transparency and parental rights, journalist Kevin Mathewson and Mukwonago parent Kenneth Sallee have prevailed in a public records lawsuit against the Mukwonago Area School District (MASD) and Superintendent Joseph Koch.
The case, filed in Waukesha County Circuit Court, centered on the district’s refusal to release investigative and disciplinary records related to allegations of grooming and inappropriate conduct by former MASD teacher Steve Telkamp. The district initially denied or partially fulfilled requests made by both Mathewson and Sallee, despite statutory obligations under Wisconsin’s Open Records Law.
The lawsuit resulted in the district turning over key documents that had previously been withheld. Judge Brad Schimel, a former attorney general and failed candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, presided over the case.
Although Mathewson noted in post-trial remarks that “Schimel seemed to know little about the public records statute or even simple legal doctrines,” the plaintiffs ultimately prevailed. The school district agreed to release the withheld records and pay Mathewson and Sallee’s legal fees.
Before trial, the district attempted to settle the case—but only on the condition that Mathewson and Sallee sign a non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreement. They refused.
“We weren’t interested in hush money or backroom deals,” Mathewson said. “This was about the law, about transparency, and about accountability.”
Sallee, a father of a student allegedly targeted by the former teacher, echoed that sentiment. “While I still believe my daughter didn’t receive justice, at least now I have the truth. I have the records. That’s something…”I didn’t give 23 years of my life in the Army defending our constitution to have my 1st Amendment rights taken away by a school administration that I feel violated my child.”
The lawsuit revealed troubling conduct by the district. According to court filings, the district promised to remove all disciplinary records from the teacher’s personnel file as part of a resignation agreement. Records that were eventually turned over—only after legal pressure—suggest the district intentionally withheld information about misconduct involving Sallee’s daughter.
The case also highlighted inconsistencies in how records were handled. Documents provided to Mathewson differed from those given to Sallee and even to another school district where the teacher was later hired.
That district, Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD), initially placed Telkamp on leave and conducted its own internal investigation after learning of the allegations from MASD. Although KUSD allowed him to remain employed, they reassigned him to Kenosha eSchool, a virtual learning environment, seemingly to keep him away from direct student contact.
Despite the courtroom challenges, Mathewson says the win is a reaffirmation of Wisconsin’s strong public records laws.
“I’ve now won over a dozen public records cases,” he said. “It’s a reminder to public officials: if you try to cover things up, you’ll be held accountable.”
Sallee, who is well known on TikTok and in parental rights circles, said he hopes the case inspires other parents to demand transparency.
The Mukwonago Area School District has not issued a public statement regarding the outcome. However, public records show the district spent at least $10,000—possibly much more—on legal fees to defend its decision to withhold the records.
.
.
.
.
2 Responses
Sheesh. That caputo and others seemed obsessed with this Kevin guy. It’s to much to even keep up with.
Can’t help but wonder if these districts will stop keeping written records and do more stuff under the table.