'Dropped the ball': 4 Milwaukee alders tee off on MPS athletics commissioner for clerical error that forfeited 2 football seasons

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- There was more fallout Tuesday, Oct. 15, as Milwaukee city council members waded into another MPS mess.

An administrator's error is ending the football seasons for dozens of students at two city high schools.

A new letter signed by four council members says they have "no confidence in leadership of MPS athletics."

It's the latest move after an MPS error caused the Pulaski and Bay View high school football teams to forfeit their seasons and serve a two-year playoff ban.

Bobbie Kelsey -the district's top athletics official- dropped the ball, according to Alderman Mark Chambers, who wrote the letter.

Chambers told us, "I think the current commissioner has showed a, for the lack of a better word, inept ability to lead the Milwaukee City Conference."

Now MPS students are suffering the consequences after another district administrative error.

The four alders say they've lost faith and confidence in Kelsey's ability to serve in her role.

Alderwoman Sharlen Moore said, "My mere thought and feeling is just immense disappointment and frustration."

Moore signed the letter, which detailed several concerns with Kelsey.

In addition to the clerical error that will cost Pulaski and Bay View their seasons, the letter talks about out-of-control fights, postponed suspensions, and worse.

Chambers said, "People aren't getting paid, to the point where people are actually quitting just for the current commissioner."

He added, "Quite honestly, she needs to be addressed."

Kelsey was hired as the commissioner of athletics in the summer of 2019.

At the time of her hiring, she said, "My goal is to provide a distinct, dynamic culture of excellence."

The release announcing her hiring touted her experience as a "player, coach, and broadcaster," but made no mention of administrative experience.

The alders' letter came before MPS even acknowledged the issue.

In a brief statement that was eventually sent out late Tuesday, MPS said Kelsey's office "did not file the necessary paperwork" for Bay View and Pulaski to swap football divisions.

The statement also said, "MPS takes this matter seriously and is investigating the circumstances that led to this serious oversight."

The WIAA executive office confirmed the sanctions.

Th WIAA referred further questions to the schools and district, saying "schools have the documentation."

But MPS did not release any documentation when it finally acknowledged the errors.

The executive director of the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association told us several Milwaukee coaches have reached out to him in recent days, hoping the association can help reverse the ban.

Greg Roman is the head coach at fellow City League member Milwaukee Reagan. Roman told us, "It's out of their hands, as coaches."

In the past, Roman's team has swapped divisions. "That stuff that happens at the administrative level, I mean that's just not things that we put any thought or effort into."

But Bobbie Kelsey did not take care of it.

Alderwoman Moore said, "I think the adult that is responsible for this needs to take accountability for their actions."

She added, "When, as adults, we drop the ball, we have to take responsibility and accountability for that. And not put it on the backs of the individuals that we're supposed to be serving. And in this case, it's our young people."

Repeated emails, calls, and messages left for Kelsey have gone unreturned over two days.

Chambers said he wants accountability, and for the MPS board to review the athletics department.

Chambers said, "If the facts are as damning as this is right now, because it's damning to me, she needs to consider possibly resigning from her position."

MPS said the district will appeal the sanctions that resulted from the district's error.

We reached the senior director of Milwaukee Recreation over the phone. She said she could not comment on personnel matters and declined to speak about Bobbie Kelsey's job performance.

All Milwaukee Rec positions -including Kelsey's- are approved by the MPS Board of School Directors.