Investigation lawyer chosen by Sun Prairie school board for independent probing following staff member's detainment
The Sun Prairie Area School District is undergoing an independent investigation, following the arrest of a former dean of students at Sun Prairie West High School, Robert Gilkey-Meisegeier, in July 2025. Gilkey-Meisegeier faces 15 felony charges, including two counts of child sexual exploitation and 13 counts of possession of child pornography.
The investigation, led by a Milwaukee-based attorney, was requested by the Dane County District Attorney's Office. The attorney, hired by the Sun Prairie Board of Education, has no prior ties to the district to ensure objectivity. Their task is to review whether the school and district responded appropriately to warning signs and handled reports properly.
The investigation was designed not to interfere with the ongoing criminal case and started after a delay to allow the criminal investigation to proceed without conflict. The attorney's role is to assess institutional failures and response adequacy related to the abuse allegations against Gilkey-Meisegeier, aiming to improve school safety and accountability.
While the investigation’s final findings have not been publicly released as of late August 2025, the school has committed to increased staff training on boundaries and mandatory reporting. Students are also receiving education on healthy boundaries and reporting mechanisms, with parents notified.
Many parents in the Sun Prairie area school district have expressed concerns about the board and district in how they have handled situations involving student safety. Some parents have been organizing a petition, calling for more district officials to be put on administrative leave until the investigation is over.
District administrators are working to ensure high school students and staff have the support they need as they prepare for a return to campus. School district leaders said Gilkey-Meisegeier was fired on June 9. Arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 2, according to online court records.
The Sun Prairie Board of Education has a designated page on its website for further updates on this situation. The attorney's findings will be given directly to the Board of Education for any follow-up or action. Justin Smith, a parent in the district, expressed hopes that an independent investigation can be helpful to encourage the change he hopes for.
- Justin Smith, a parent in the Sun Prairie Area School District, hopes that the findings from the independent investigation, which is assessing institutional failures and response adequacy related to the abuse allegations against Robert Gilkey-Meisegeier, will be instrumental in promoting change, as it could potentially improve school safety and accountability.
- Amidst the ongoing investigation into the Sun Prairie Area School District for its response to warning signs and handling of reports following the arrest of a former dean of students, many parents have expressed their concerns over student safety, leading them to organize a petition, demanding more district officials be put on administrative leave until the investigation is concluded.
