Sun Prairie, Wis. – The Sun Prairie Board of Education is actively working with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to address licensing questions surrounding the district’s superintendent, Dr. Antoine Reed. DPI has asked Reed to submit a new application for a principal license after the agency denied his earlier superintendent‑license request due to missing employment verification from his time in Illinois.
Background on the denial
Reed began his tenure as Sun Prairie superintendent on July 1, 2026. He applied for a Wisconsin administrator license on July 27, and DPI denied the application on Oct. 7, citing an incomplete employment‑verification package that did not document principal‑level experience in Illinois.
Illinois records show Reed holds both principal and superintendent endorsements, but Wisconsin law requires an out‑of‑state credential holder to have at least one year of service under that credential before qualifying for reciprocity. DPI also noted that Reed’s education and employment history did not meet the state’s superintendent‑license criteria.
Clarifying the Illinois role
Reed’s work in Rockford, Ill., has become the focal point of the licensing dispute. Rockford district documents list him as chief of culture and student engagement, while former Rockford superintendent Ehren Jarrett testified that Reed performed principal‑level duties, mentored principals, and handled daily administrative tasks at West Middle School.
In contrast, a later Rockford employment‑verification form indicated that Reed did not serve as a principal or assistant principal. DPI’s licensing director, Jennifer Kammerud, confirmed that the district’s latest response did not resolve the classification question.
DPI’s next steps
DPI has indicated that the current review is not a pending license application but a supplemental advisory process to explore licensing options for Reed. The agency expects a new principal‑license application soon, though it has not confirmed whether Reed has filed it.
The department is also reaching out to the Illinois State Board of Education and Rockford officials for additional clarification on Reed’s duties and the appropriate documentation.
District response and contract requirements
The Sun Prairie superintendent contract (2026‑2028) requires the district administrator to hold a valid Wisconsin administrator license at all times and to represent that he holds a Wisconsin superintendent license. The board’s legal counsel is reviewing the contract language while the district continues to rely on appropriately licensed staff to perform duties that fall outside Reed’s current credential.
Human‑resources director Diana McFarland noted that the district is cooperating with DPI and legal counsel to meet state licensing requirements. The board has not yet provided DPI with a formal letter identifying the licensed staff handling duties beyond Reed’s credential.
Community impact
Parents and community members have expressed interest in the outcome, emphasizing the importance of having a fully licensed administrator leading the district. The board’s focus remains on ensuring compliance with state regulations while maintaining continuity of leadership for Sun Prairie schools.
As the review proceeds, the district will keep the public informed of any developments regarding Reed’s licensing status and the steps taken to satisfy DPI’s requirements.
Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.
