Parents Demand Transparency After Former Sun Prairie Dean Pleads Not Guilty to Child Sex Crimes
SUN PRAIRIE, WI — Parents in the Sun Prairie community are demanding more openness from school officials after former dean of students Robert Gilkey-Meisegeier pleaded not guilty to multiple child sex crime charges. The case, which involves at least three alleged victims, has shaken families and raised questions about oversight in the district.
Charges Against the Former Dean
According to prosecutors, Gilkey-Meisegeier faces more than a dozen counts, including allegations that he provided alcohol to a teen in exchange for explicit photos and solicited nude images from another. On the federal level, he has also been charged with producing, attempting to produce, and possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Officials also confirmed that at the time of his employment, he did not hold a valid teaching license, raising further concerns about how he was allowed to work in the school.
District Response and Parental Criticism
In the wake of his arrest, the Sun Prairie Area School District launched a dedicated webpage with FAQs, updates, and explanations of its next steps. The page outlines differences between employment and criminal investigations, details on administrative leave, and oversight responsibilities.
However, parents say the effort falls short.
“Disgusted is not even the right word,” said Kristy Yang, a mother of three. “It’s just appalling; I can’t even comprehend it.”
Yang also expressed frustration with accessibility, saying that families who don’t speak English or aren’t familiar with the site might never find the information they need. She criticized the vague timeline offered by the district, adding that many parents believe the misconduct may have been occurring since 2024.
Community Response
Another parent, Justin Smith, whose son attends Sun Prairie West, accused the district of misleading families about its role in disciplinary actions, saying the Department of Public Instruction had already stepped in before the district acted.
“If there was more honesty in the narrative … more families and more parents … more of the community would be more aware of what’s happening,” Smith said.
Parents have since organized a private Facebook group called #ProtectSunPrairieKids, which now has more than 600 members pressing for accountability and full transparency.
What’s Next
Gilkey-Meisegeier remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court again next month. Meanwhile, parents insist they will continue pressing district leaders for answers and safeguards to ensure that such a case never slips through the system again.
Do you believe the Sun Prairie school district has done enough to be transparent with families? How should schools balance ongoing investigations with the community’s right to know?