Therefore, the district must follow the Strategic Plan and will be monitored by the documented metrics. Community involvement: Volunteered at the local parish church, lobbied for street resurfacing and got it done in our neighborhood of Oconomowoc Heights, which was prone to flooding. "I have worked on behalf of good government, and am proud of the work I have spearheaded and accomplished in my time on the board," Steitzer stated. Lastly, our board can help to elevate the district by prioritizing the focus of the board itself as the existing strategic plan that has not seen improvements or modifications in almost 4 years. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. You have permission to edit this article. I will fight for this as it will bring a transformative, long-lasting solution in times of crisis. A statement says the board members felt their constituents weren't being heard on matters like health and safety, and that the board is influenced by a hyper-political group. "The kids recognized that this was an important part of them staying healthy, because they didnt want to miss their sports and their other activities and school, they didnt want to miss the end of the year activities.". The deadline to apply is Sept. 3. All three are up for election April 5. Ford said theres also been a blurring between the district administrations role and the role of school board members. "Weve got some young people, students who have gotten up and spoken in front of the board on the importance of being in school face-to-face, and then you have adults who are bullying them and cheering them," he said. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Former Oconomowoc School Board members Kim Herro, Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus resigned on the same day, stating the board had "been dragged into partisan culture. He said the remaining board would move forward constructively. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach. The district should focus on advancing these programs to meet the needs of the current times or we will be missing the boat. My goal is to continue positively contributing to the Oconomowoc Area School District for the benefit of my family, my neighbors and the greater Oconomowoc community. I will continue this trend of performance if electedto the board in April. ", RELATED:Two incumbents who favored virtual school lose their seats on the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board. They'll be posting those vacancies immediately. EMAIL. The board filled the three vacant seats in Septemberby appointing Neal Ninmann, former board member Sandy Schick and Chad Schraufnagel. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. 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The Oconomowoc School Board saw lots of turnover in 2021, as four of its members resigned or left. Vacating their seats are Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch. Wood said the current HVAC system at Oconomowoc High School is from the 1960s and not up to today's . That mindset is the only way for us to grow as a district to go from good to great. 5.) School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. 2021-22 OCONOMOWOC AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR (PDF LINK) 2022-2023 oconomowoc area school district website "It created immediate, aggressive reactions, not only by those two board members, but also a faction of the community that they were aligned with," said Grothaus. Duration: 01:58 8/16/2021. Counties | 2023 FOX Television Stations, Camp Timber-lee: Delavan businessman to buy, keep site open, Racine drunk driver killed pregnant friend: complaint, Mysterious lights in southeast Wisconsin sky; here's what they were, Alderman Bauman regrets his decision on downtown metered parking, Oak Creek car thefts; gas station customers targeted, police say, Delavan-Darien School Districts Pathways to Success. ContactAlec Johnson at(262) 875-9469 oralec.johnson@jrn.com. Feb 10, 2022 Updated Jun 3, 2022. Additionally, we are lacking a significant strategic initiative to address why families who live in our district are actively opting out of keeping their children at our schools. [7] The district was the 30th-largest school district in the state in the 2013-2014 school year and served 5,224 students. In a statement, the trio wrote, "The OASD board has now been dragged into partisan culture wars by some members of the board" saying "Board work has become toxic and impossible to do.". Its not a question of which is better;its about innovation to give parents, studentsand teachers a choice. "If we really start making things contentious, people are going to walk away and go, 'I cant take this anymore,'" he said. We have developed a thick skin when we hear about another school shooting or a student being bullied, or a student committing suicide. Members James Wood and Jessica Kornowski voted against the proposal. Application Contact Phone. Our family owns a small business in downtown Oconomowoc, I am a 1988 graduate of OHS and have three children who also have experienced OASD as students. As I stated on the previous question our priorities are financial stability, increasing open enrollment into the district, focusing on the strategic plans, supporting administration and teachers, and selling the old Meadow View. [1], Steitzer had not responded to the recall effort as of September 19, 2020. When I asked, was this pandemic-related? As they say, Keep School REAL. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. While we found ways to implement some virtual learning and found ways to make it viable for students, it wasn't always a sustainable platform for teaching. Anderson:As a parent of four, the wake of our school board making national news for toxic dysfunction hit hard. The board is much more stable now than it was back then. The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. I am currently a human resources director for a company in Merton. Ballot measures, Who represents me? Parents filled the Oconomowoc School Board meeting. TWEET. | "I would just like to thank them for their service to the Oconomowoc Area School District," said board member Scott Roehl. Learn more about the Oconomowoc Area School District at www.oasd.org. Elections in 2023 | I was part of that majority. 3.) We dont believe that people want our community to be characterized by the divisive, bullying, selfish, partisan tactics that seem to be so prevalent today. A good number pleading with the board to require masks, few for mask-choice. You can help too. Anderson:Im proud and humbled to be endorsed by the teachers of the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. The starting point in creating the best school district in the state is through talented teachers, and Im proud to accept the endorsement of the teachers in the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . U.S. President | 37214 Delafield Rd , Oconomowoc, WI 53066-9101 is a single-family home listed for rent at /mo. I want to see Student Personal Development days on the same days that their teachers have their PD days. The board has turned a corner and is really moving forward. In regard to your question on masks. In August 2021, Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch resigned from the board due to what they said was the board's "unwillingness to collaborate in good faith.". Then in November, board member Scott Roehl left after moving out of the district and saying in a Facebook post that he and his family did not feel safe in their home. We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. The candidates are:Andrew Anderson,Neal Ninmann (i),Sandy Schick (i),Paula Schmitz,Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. An effort to recall three of the seven members of the Oconomowoc Area School District school board in Wisconsin did not go to a vote in 2020. Alexandra Schweitzer garnered 3,200 votes and was followed by Steitzer with 3,010. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. General mask wearing should be a family choice based on their understanding of masks and should not be monitored by staff unless under protocol since this takes time from their main task of educating. Nondiscrimination: The Oconomowoc Area School District provides assurance that no student is discriminated against because of the student's sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability. DIGITAL ONLY: JUST $5 PER MONTH In the past the board was labeled as "toxic"; however, that is no longer the case with the current board. W359N6812 Brown Street. Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl were joined in approving the proposal by members Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus. United States. Ford said conflict in school boards isnt a bad thing, but it becomes a problem when people are so dug in on their beliefs that they cant find compromise, or even have productive discussions. As of this week, the data and our district metrics are trending in the right direction, so barring any major changes to the data, I see a return to a full face-to-face approach on the horizon. Schweitzer said she ran agrassroots, parent- and taxpayer-focused campaign. OCONOMOWOC The Oconomowoc Area School District School Board has four incumbents seeking reelection. Mar 24, 2022 Updated Mar 24, 2022. Schmitz:As an educator and wellness researcher, I believe there are negative effects to breathing inside a mask. In total, there are four seats up for election this year, and six candidates running. Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. Thiel:You might not know this, but Oconomowoc has a separate special curriculum for those that want to be completely virtual, and I think that is a great program for those who have selected it. What made you decide to run for the seat and what makes you a good fit for the role? My viewpoints remain the same. PRINT+DIGITAL: AS LOW AS $6.50 PER MONTH. A statement from Interim Superintendent Kristen Taylor also focused on the future. From my perspective as a board member, to ensure that we are not putting our students at risk, a soft launch to the school year will provide greater clarity as to the effects of the virus when our students are back in session. Covid mitigation methods are what now-former board members expressed concern about in submitting resignation letters this week. Tony Evers' statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. Keep updated on the latest news and information. This enrollment out is currently larger than our enrollment in and every time that happens, we have fewer resources to work with. Are we using it? Incumbents Jessica Karnowski and James Wood received the most votes and will retain their seats. This topic has become far too political, and Ill never predetermine a decision based on politics. We cannot engage in petty fights that dishonor the office. "We will never know if we did too much, but we will most definitely know if we did too little," said one parent. powered by finalsite About Us The school board recall success rate was 7.8%. The boards job is to focus on getting our students the best education possible and work (as our vision states) to become Unrivaled.. Thankfully, masks are no longer mandatory. School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. An effort to recall three of the seven members of the Oconomowoc Area School District school board in Wisconsin did not go to a vote in 2020. After considering 29 candidates, interviewing six and then selecting three of those six as finalists, the Oconomowoc School Board has selected the Oconomowoc Area School District's next. I believe that as representatives of the community the board should always have time to hear people out and I appreciate the board making that change now that I am there. A- Accountability- Do what you say you are going to do. In Oconomowoc, three members of the school board resigned, citing its "toxic" environment. Thiel:I have always been involved with the schools as a stay-at-home dad for my three children who all attended the district. Community members launched a recall effort against three of the board members who voted for hybrid learning, including Herro. Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. SHARE. Each candidate responded to our questionnaire about their experience and what they see as priorities for the district. In May, after Gov. However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. ContactEvan Frank at (262) 361-9138or evan.frank@jrn.com. Two challengers have also entered the contest set for a vote April 5. FOX6 News reached out to all three former members but none were available for an interview Monday. Rick Grothaus, Dan Raasch, and Kim Herro announced their. In previous decades, concerns about the teaching of sex education and evolution, as well as issues like school vouchers, have prompted angry public discourse and division among school board members. The district has a focus on developing learners and leaders and the board has a responsibility to support that focus with policy and financial stewardship. Place An Ad - Call 262-306-5000/email: Conleyclass@conleynet.com, Three Oconomowoc School Board members resign, cite toxic board behavior, Cite hyper political, partisan culture as reason for stepping down, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. Waukesha County was home to 395,118 residents in 2014, according to the United States Census Bureau. We can always do more and better in supporting studentswellness. Schmitz:Based on the priorities I outlined in my previous answer, I am developing a proposal, a comprehensive plan that includes creative and innovative programs, initiatives and strategies to meet the needs of our students after the pandemic. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. The four remaining school board members were in attendance, but no action was taken on one of the items that divided the board -- masks. Schraufnagel:I was appointed to the OASD Board of Education in September of 2021 after three board members decided to quit in August of 2021. I believe strongly that serving as a representative of the community is a primary focus for a school board member and is the reason I am a good fit for the position. 25, Idaho, Braintree School Department, Massachusetts, Creighton Elementary School District, Arizona, Del Norte County Unified School District, California, East Baton Rouge Parish School System, Louisiana, Elbert County School District C-2, Colorado, Fresno Unified School District, California, Lake Havasu Unified School District, Arizona, Lake Mills Area School District, Wisconsin, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Tennessee, Middleton-Cross Plains School District, Wisconsin, Mount Horeb Area School District, Wisconsin, Oakland Unified School District, California, Paradise Valley Unified School District, Arizona, Traverse City Area Public Schools, Michigan, Visalia Unified School District, California, Westford School Department, Massachusetts, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Oconomowoc_Area_School_District_recall,_Wisconsin_(2020)&oldid=8841316, Pages using DynamicPageList dplreplace parser function, Unsuccessful or mixed outcome recall efforts, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. We must govern via smart policy and not by current events or pressure from outside influences. Sell the old Meadow View to fulfill the promise of the past board. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. Empowering a Community of Learners and Leaders. As a former VP of a college, I know the debate around in-person versus virtual creates opportunity for innovation. After results came in, Steitzer released a message on her school boardFacebook page. Only ONE is too many, but the actual numbers are alarming! 6 Marquette edges St. John's, Illinois judge strikes down state's ban on high-powered guns, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' actor, dies at 61, Stocks rally Friday, close out their first winning week in last 4, Five Points Pub closes for renovations, hotel still open, Oconomowoc Area School Board appoints 3 new members after resignations, Crash victim brought light to many around the country, Waukesha business owner sexually assaulted in store, Babes Pizza and Chicken to open next week in Mukwonago, A battle simmers in Illinois over plans to pipe in and store millions of tons of planet-warming carbon dioxide underground. 'The Culture Became Caustic,' Said One Board Member. The letter states that the three members are also concerned about how Interim Superintendent Kristen Taylor and remaining board members are responding to the pandemic. My main reason for applying was to bring stability and history to the table. Schmitz:A lady sat next to me on my flight back from a conference in Florida last November and told me she was traveling with a group of five school mothers on a first vacation together since 2020. There is a place for some virtual learning, but I will always work with our district to provide in-person learning whenever possible. Boards are set up to handle policy issues like setting the annual budget while school officials are typically tasked with day-to-day operations, making decisions based on what theyre seeing in classrooms and running them by the board for approval as needed. Ninmann:100% remain optional for in-person learning. If you say, 'I don't want to play for a team, I want what is best for the students,' it won't make a difference because your name is going to be slandered if you're not on the right team. One of the main issues for the school board in the near future will be deciding on the district's next superintendent. Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). Ninmann:The most important initiative for me as a board member is to remain a functional and cohesive board that acts collectively in the best interest of students, the community, teachers and administration. OCONOMOWOC - Oconomowoc Area School Board member Scott Roehl announced via his candidacy Facebook page that he would be resigning from his seat on the board due to his family moving out of . The property should be listed very soon. Four recall elections were held in 2020. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. Schick:When I campaigned in 2002, I had the following beliefs. Ensuring that we are financially viable into the future. Then, according to the resigning members, another board member told parents they could claim a religious exemption to allow their kids to go mask-free. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. The current make of the board has moved past the previous issues and is focused on policyand governance and supporting the work of the administration and teachers. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. She thanked the three resigning members for the service and the wrote, in part, "Public service is a difficult endeavor that has been exacerbated by the current division in society as a whole" and, "While the timing and orchestrating of these resignations have taken away from our work, I am confident in the remaining school board members and their commitment to our students and families.". 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. There are examples of other districts offering course credit for extra-curriculars and this innovative strategy helps to reduce expenses while also increasing scope and depth of viable opportunities for students. Bill Thiel received the most votes with 5,311 (22%), Neal Ninmann was second with 4,989 votes (20%),. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. Schools should be a haven for students, a springboard for each one of them to become the best version of themselves in service to others. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. "Its like, whos the adult here?". A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. Fortunately, I pray all of that is behind us. Three-layer cotton masks, 26.5 percent efficient," another parent said. Herro was in the last year of her term, which expired April 2022. So it's important to look at vaccination rates and where new cases are popping up. Most students perform better when learning in person. Neither Raasch nor Grothaus could be included in the recall as they had not yet served on the board for a full year. Schmitz:I believe in democracy and diversity. I dont have a medical background, but I do have a background in leveraging subject matter expertise to make tough decisions. [5], Steitzer's term on the board expired in April 2021, and Herro's and Roehl's terms expired in April 2022.[1]. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. Thiel:I have 4 priorities for the district. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. Their answers were limited to 100 words. Kim Kaukl, president of the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance, said his member districts mostly opened fully in-person right away last school year largely because limited access to the internet meant virtual learning wasnt feasible. Job Openings at Weigel Broadcasting Milwaukee. "The main qualification of a school board member and I say this as a local elected official is you got one more vote than the other person. Agendas for all regular board meetings, committee meetings, and special meetings are also available on the same site. I want Oconomowoc to be a destination school district for families outside of our boundaries. My focus is clear: As a board member, I am there to represent the families in my district. To get the recall on the ballot, recall supporters had to collect signatures from voting-age citizens who lived within the school district in 60 days. If you make a promise keep it. For more spring 2022 election coverage,click here. The district also must continue to pursue the sale of the old Meadow View School site. Oconomowoc Area School District recall, Wisconsin (2020), States that have pre-petition signature requirements for recalls, Recalls related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and government responses to the pandemic, Appleton Area School District recall, Wisconsin (2020), Robert Hesselbein and Minza Karim recall, Middleton-Cross Plains School District, Wisconsin (2020), Leah Lipska recall, Mount Horeb Area School District, Wisconsin (2020), Oconomowoc Area School District, Wisconsin, Williams County Public Schools No.

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