Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) has confirmed a significant shift in its athletic department with the news that former Athletics Commissioner Bobbie Kelsey is no longer with the district, according to reports from WISN and CBS58. Kelsey's tenure was recently marred by controversy following a paperwork mishap which led to the forfeiture of football games by Bay View and Pulaski high schools and their subsequent two-year playoff ban, although this decision was later overturned; Kelsey's association with the district ended as of October 14, with the circumstances of the departure remaining unclear.
The incident that seems to have catalyzed this change occurred last fall when Kelsey's office failed to file the necessary paperwork with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, causing both schools to forfeit their football season games and not allowing either team to participate in the playoffs, as TMJ4 reports. Furthermore, investigations by TMJ4's Jenna Rae also uncovered that many coaches and referees in the district were not receiving timely payments, which was only resolved after the investigative reports, "Rae's investigations led to those employees eventually being paid, months later."
With Kelsey's departure, former Athletics Commissioner Bill Molbeck, who served the district for 17 years before retiring, is stepping back into the fray. He'll be assuming day-to-day operational responsibilities left in the wake of Kelsey’s exit, effective October 15. An internal email detailed Molbeck's new role, stating, "As of today, Bobbie Kelsey is no longer employed with Milwaukee Public Schools... Beginning Wednesday, October 15, Bill will assume additional day-to-day operational responsibilities to support duties previously performed by Bobbie," signaling a transitional phase for MPS athletics, as per TMJ4.
