Mukwonago, Wis. – Mukwonago High School (MHS) automotive instructor Kenneth Reed will remain on paid administrative leave through the remainder of the 2025–2026 school year. An internal investigation determined that he shared false and misleading information about the school district with students and the broader community.
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According to documents obtained from Mukwonago Area School District (MASD), Reed distributed a letter to students in two of his classes. In this letter, he expressed concerns that the school’s automotive program was being diminished. This statement, deemed false by the district, caused confusion and alarm among students, parents, and staff. It also prompted widespread public rumors that the district planned to dismantle or defund the program.
Kenneth Reed’s Publicly Shared Letter
The letter shown below began circulating on social media platforms and was originally addressed to “Automotive Partners”. According to Mukwonago Area School District administration, Reed “distributed this letter to your students during two of your academic sections”.
In the letter, Reed says “Today I was informed that the district has chosen to reduce staff according to low enrollment numbers”. He goes on to say that the district is “asking the school board to non-renew his position as Automotive Instructor with the district”. In the letter, Reed says he is a 20 year ASE Certified Auto Technician. He fears that his firing will “diminish the value of the program”. It could turn it into a “hobby shop”.
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Open in new tab It remains unclear why Reed chose to distribute the letter or whether his employment was ever at risk before its release. Waukesha County Watch has attempted to contact Mr. Reed for comment, but he has not responded to multiple inquiries.
Community Backlash
The assertions in Mr. Reed’s letter later circulated on social media and prompted community backlash. The situation ultimately compelled MASD to issue a separate public statement to clarify that the district remains committed to growing and enhancing its automotive offerings.
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The matter also gained media attention when the Waukesha County Watch published an article on April 5, highlighting community fears over the potential loss of the automotive program. MASD officials insist those fears were unfounded and fueled by misinformation.
Waukesha County Watch also discovered a Change.org petition launched by a Mukwonago High School student. While we are withholding the student’s name due to his minor status, the petition underscores how Mr. Reed’s actions contributed to the spread of misinformation through multiple channels.
Kenneth Reed Investigation and Administrative Leave
An April 4th letter to Mr. Reed from Assistant Superintendent Rachel Hermann notified Reed that he was being place on paid administrative leave “until further notice”. This started the investigation into “allegations that you [Reed] sent a communication representing yourself as an employee of the Mukwonago School District that contained false information about the District”.
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MASD’s investigation concluded that Reed misused instructional time and crossed professional boundaries by involving students in employment-related concerns. As a result, he was directed not to return to district property as of April 14th. He was also prohibited from carrying out any job duties for the rest of the school year. He will retain pay and benefits during this time, but is prohibited from discussing the matter publicly, per district directives.
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Who is Kenneth Reed?
A Google search reveals indexed pages from the MASD Staff Directory that lists Kenneth Reed as a teacher at Mukwonago High School; however, he does not appear in the current live version of the directory.
The MASD Technology and Engineering webpage features a biography for “Ken Reed,” in which he states he spent “many years working as an automotive technician” before transitioning into teaching “tech ed.”
Additionally, a LinkedIn profile under the name “Kenneth Reed” lists his title as “Automotive Instructor – Tech Ed at Mukwonago Area School District.” According to this linked in profile, Reed has been an Automotive Instructor at MHS since 2020. Prior to coming to MHS in 2020, he was a technology teacher in West Allis, Wisconsin from 2019-2020, and Milwaukee Public School (MPS) from 2018-2019.
The same LinkedIn profile also lists Reed as a “motorcoach operator” for Badger Coaches, Inc. since 2013.
MASD Commitment to Automotive Program
Superintendent Joe Koch has reaffirmed MASD’s commitment to maintaining and expanding the automotive program, emphasizing there are no plans to remove it. The district also expressed disappointment over the “significant negative impact” caused by Reed’s communication.
According to Dr. Koch, “We highly value the role this program plays in preparing students for careers in the automotive industry and beyond. Our district recognizes the importance of skilled trades and technical education, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing high-quality, hands-on learning experiences that equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.”
MASD has not clarified whether further disciplinary measures, including potential termination, are being considered. It’s also interesting that the letter says “remainder of the 2025-2026 school year”. Waukesha County Watch reached out to Superintendent Joe Koch for comment, but the district has not responded to the inquiry.
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