June 15, 2025 9:00p
(WGTD)---A one-time, alleged drug dealer's ability to keep her Kenosha Unified teaching job is a story of redemption, transparency and second chances.
A recent examination of Alyssa Jurasik's personnel file and a transcript of her sentencing hearing found that the district was kept abreast of developments in her felony case. Also, the judge that sentenced her to probation accepted her assertions that she learned a painful lesson, had turned her life around and deserved a second chance.
Initially, Jurasik was charged in 2023 with three 'party to the crime' felonies that were connected to drug dealing. The charges were the result of an investigation that began when a package of marijuana was intercepted by the post office.
Jurasik said she was pulled into dealing drugs by her controlling boyfriend--he was later charged and convicted of domestic violence.
In the end, the prosecutor agreed to knock down Jurasik's felonies to three misdemeanors, even though the criminal complaint quoted text message exchanges between Jurasik and her boyfriend which appeared to show that Jurasik was an active dealer herself with multiple customers.
At the June 5th, 2024 sentencing hearing, prosecutor Jennifer Tanck-Adams described Jurasik as a mid-level drug dealer. She endorsed the plea bargain.
Jurasik's attorney, Grant Henderson, said his client had "cleaned up her life" and was working hard toward obtaining a master's degree. "She knows that if she messes that up in any way, that not only would she be facing this process again and the penalties, but frankly she would probably lose her ability to teach and everything that she has been working for," Henderson said.
In addressing Judge Gerad Dougvillo, Jurasik admitted her mistakes, reiterated that she was working hard and that she loved her job in Kenosha as a teacher. "I just want to be able to work with my kids," she said.
Dougvillo withheld the sentence and put her on a year of probation. "I do believe a period of probation here is appropriate just to help ensure that we stay on the right track and to ensure that everybody is protected, yourself and the community. And we do that and we are going to find ourselves in a good place," Dougvillo said. "But make no mistake about it, the ball is in your court to see that through."
In February--nine months after the sentencing hearing--the charges came back to haunt Jurasik when some parents apparently got wind of the case and complained.
Jurasik was pulled from teaching at Washington Middle School and suspended with pay while the district checked to make sure she was truthful in filling out various job applications. Turns out she was. She was sent back to school after two weeks.
Asked about Jurasik's employment status, given her record, district spokesperson Tanya Ruder noted that a felony conviction--Jurasik pleaded guilty to misdemeanors-- generally disqualifies a teaching candidate from being hired. Ruder went on to cite a state statute which outlines specific exceptions and considerations for employment eligibility.
Through her attorney, Jurasik declined to comment for this story.
According to online court records, Jurasik successfully completed her year of probation this month and the case is closed.
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