Cumberland School Superintendent Faces Third OWI Charge Amid Ongoing Legal Troubles
Barry Rose, leader of Cumberland School District, charged with operating while intoxicated in Wisconsin and driving with a revoked license for the second time in four months.
Published August 8, 2024

Barry Rose, the superintendent of Cumberland School District in western Wisconsin, is facing his second drunk driving-related criminal charge in just four months. 

On July 2, the Barron County Attorney’s Office charged the 56-year-old with his third OWI (operating while intoxicated) and operating a motor vehicle with a revoked license, according to CBS Minnesota.

The charges stem from a June 22 incident when Rose was pulled over for speeding near Eighth Avenue and William Street in Cumberland. According to the criminal complaint, the officer noted a “heavy odor of intoxicants,” slurred speech, and glossy eyes from Rose. He registered a BAC of .126, significantly above the legal limit. Rose admitted to drinking earlier that afternoon.

When contacted, the school district’s attorney acknowledged Rose’s criminal record but highlighted that Wisconsin’s discrimination laws protect those with arrest or conviction records, making off-duty conduct a complex issue for employers.

Rose is set to make his first court appearance regarding this case on September 11.