Follow him on Twitter at @Evanfrank_LCP. "I had people calling me up and screaming at me, people that have known me almost my whole life, parents calling up and saying 'You are making my kids wear masks, youre doing hybrid, youre bad people,'" she said. The girl succumbed to social isolation first and bullying and feeling left out through social media next. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. In the past the board was labeled as "toxic"; however, that is no longer the case with the current board. Parents filled the Oconomowoc School Board meeting. Delavan - Darien School District's DD Tech Administrator and CTE Coordinator, Michael Rick, discusses educational opportunities. Oconomowoc has been mostly optional since the start of this school year, and we intend to remain that way. ContactEvan Frank at (262) 361-9138or evan.frank@jrn.com. After 19 years on the Board, my experience can help with boardsmanship, general knowledge, history and more. "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.". "This feels different.". The Oconomowoc School Board asked the district's administration to begin the RFP process for the property in October 2021 and approved listing the property for sale in December 2021. We cannot engage in petty fights that dishonor the office. Schick:I wanted to provide experience and leadership in the hiring of the new superintendent, selling of the old Meadow View School site, and general district operations. The Pewaukee School Board faces a similar situation, where six candidates will vie. As they say, Keep School REAL. TWEET. L- Leadership- You manage things; you lead people. Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. 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. Past board members began to work on personal agendas and that led to a great deal of dysfunction. In-person learning includes more than book learning, like social interaction, dedicated learning spaces (not dining room tables)and much more. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. Three Oconomowoc Area School Board members have resigned together, citing toxic behavior within the board. Contact info: pschmitz06@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/PaulaSchmitzCampaign; 262-490-7048, Address:N56 W35146 Pondview Lane,Oconomowoc, Past political experience:Current board member. We no longer employ consultants to work with the board on how to be board members. It will be a fantastic! "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. Roehl said he also preferred an in-person learning model, but that it needed to be phased in to ensure the safety of students and staff. Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. 4.) The effort failed after the group did not get enough signatures. Since there is no ability to engage in meaningful dialogue, even on the issue of the health and safety of our students and staff, we cannot be part of an organization that is so non-responsive to every constituents concerns, not just a minority segment, and is so cavalier about our students, staffs and communitys health and safety, the letter states. There's also high interest in the Oconomowoc School Board, where six candidates are running for four seats. "For those who voted for my message I say thank you," Schweitzer said. 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. Continue to implement our district strategic plan and our athletic strategic plan. School districts | Ballot measures, Who represents me? How to run for office | The community has referenced that a large majority of families elected to start school in a full face-to-face model. Leadership by the board, in the district, in classroom, by the teachers, and by the students. We need to be smart with our tax dollars and do more with less. 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. The district should focus on advancing these programs to meet the needs of the current times or we will be missing the boat. To do this we need focus on excellence, celebrate our successes, and create an overall district that people see as the best overall option for their students. The 2,656 sq. The candidates are (top row, left to right): Andrew Anderson, Neal Ninmann (i), Sandy . Board members say the data has changed since they moved to a mask-optional policy as of last month. I want to be their voice on the board and fill the void that exists today by addressing issues that are pressing after a horrific pandemic. I am currently a human resources director for a company in Merton. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Phone. There is an opportunity to advance learning opportunities through improved online platforms that can serve both students and assist parents. All three are up for election April 5. 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. What made you decide to run for the seat and what makes you a good fit for the role? "We will never know if we did too much, but we will most definitely know if we did too little," said one parent. Both in-person and virtual schooling should be available as a choice for families to accommodate students needs and those of their loved ones. "School boards are not, under the laws and procedures theyre set up to follow, very well-equipped to deal with hot-button, controversial issues," said Rossmiller. Thetwo candidates with the highest number of votes will takethree-year terms of office, and the candidates with the third and fourth highest number of votes will take one-year terms. I dont think we need some new program or initiative to get us there. Ninmann:100% remain optional for in-person learning. Mental fitness goes beyond being mentally sane; it includes developing a success mindset that can be applied to any discipline. Vacating their seats are Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch. "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. 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. As a mother of two high-schoolers, an educator, and an online course developer in health and wellness, I have been researching programs and interventions used successfully by other districts that we can bring to the OASD to support students who are hurting. Schweitzer said she ran agrassroots, parent- and taxpayer-focused campaign. some parents who are worried their kids will get sick, clear guidance from state and federal agencies, Children face cognitive delays during pandemic, Arts organizations see signs of recovery, A Milwaukee school is training students to help their peers who are dealing with suicidal thoughts, Why some schools are seeing more fights since returning in-person, Wisconsin districts face backlash over plans to teach gender identity to elementary students, 3 transgender women have been killed in Milwaukee in the last 9 months, Lawyer who oversaw Trump elector scheme in Wisconsin reappointed to judicial advisory panel, Court orders Green Bay to stop using audio devices while lawsuit plays out, UW System President Jay Rothman to seek in-state tuition increase, Capital budget would offload 4 state office buildings, Wisconsin natives aged gouda is 'best cheese' in America, contest says, Landowners sue Lac du Flambeau tribal leaders to reopen roads blocked for a month, Buyer steps up to save Camp Timber-lee in East Troy, Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. powered by finalsite About Us Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. Schmitz:I like to call my priority number one Student Mental Fitness instead of student mental health. Incumbents Dave Guckenberger and Steve Zimmer faced challengers Kim Verhein Herro, Jason Kelly and James Wood in a primary election on February 16, 2016. Mar 24, 2022 Updated Mar 24, 2022. Counties | We need to put our students holistic well-being as our top priority, build consensusand move schools forward. Two challengers have also entered the contest set for a vote April 5. The board is much more stable now than it was back then. In Oconomowoc, three members of the school board resigned, citing its "toxic" environment. The Oconomowoc Area School District is located in Waukesha County in southeastern Wisconsin. Only ONE is too many, but the actual numbers are alarming! This topic has become far too political, and Ill never predetermine a decision based on politics. "Were losing some really good people because of the contentiousness, and Im concerned that we may lose some more teachers in the process, or more administrators, that we already know we have a shortage of.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. James Wood took over as the Oconomowoc School Board president following the 2021 election, in which he was elected to a second term after receiving Kleefisch's support. The district needs to continue moving to unrivaled. It is intrinsic to its mission: Unless students are mentally fit and emotionally stable, they cant learn and therefore, they will not be able to lead. "You want conflict on a governing board, it brings more voices to the table and it can lead to a solution that can be supported by even a divided group," he said. 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. 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. Grothaus and Raasch both had about a year and a half left in their terms which expired in April 2023. From left to right: Mike Sereno, Joe Koch and Jeridon Clark. The board must focus on strategic alignment driving results and opportunity for students, teachers and parents. Three of the seven seats on the Oconomowoc Area School District school board in Wisconsin were up for at-large general election on April 3, 2018. How to vote | Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. Schlesingers Saturday Spotlight (3/4)String Art, 80s Prom Shower chances on/off this weekend with winter weather late in Milwaukee native Ernie Johnson, Jr. honored with Award of Excellence Drop your guns, pick up our gloves: Boxing club uses movie Route 20 holds benefit concert for human trafficking victims. Just weeks from the first day of classes, and in the early stage of its superintendent search, the Oconomowoc Area School Board is down to four members after Kim Herro, Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus resigned Sunday. School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. supports HTML5 video. "They were shooting for her, there was a bullseye on her back," said Herro. "I do think theres been this public expectation around COVID that we want these school board officials to manage the day-to-day," he said. If the pandemic showed us anything, it is that kids learn the best in the classroom with a teacher. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Six compete for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. 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. 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. I am running to be elected by the community to continueserving on the board as a trustee of the district. I would have run then, but I wanted to make sure that the candidates I supported were elected (they did) and I didnt want to dilute the votes we needed. However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc-area news with a subscription: Click here. [8] Four Oconomowoc School Board incumbents have retained their seats in the April 5 election. "Well, my initial reaction was definitely surprise," said Scott Roehl, board VP. [1], Steitzer had not responded to the recall effort as of September 19, 2020. ", RELATED:Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning. I have served this district in many capacities over the last 6 years, both in leadership roles and on subcommittees.. We can always do more and better in supporting studentswellness. August 16, 2021, 4:06 PM. Most students, however, prefer in-person learning and select that as their choice for a more traditional experience. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. Jessica Karnowski for Oconomowoc School Board, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. My 19 years of experience demonstrate that I will be a well-prepared and an effective board member. The Oconomowoc Area School District (OASD) issued a cease and desist letter to a parent threatening her with a defamation lawsuit for statements she made in public forums about the use and accessibility of age-inappropriate material. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. "No quality candidate is going to step up and put their reputation on the line when it really comes down to what camp are you in, what team do you play for. If you make a promise keep it. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. "I have gotten to know many people in our beautiful Oconomowoc area, and I would not trade this experience for anything. Michael Ford, a professor of public administration at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a member of the Oshkosh City Council, said theres a concept called "school board capture" that refers to boards being overtaken by interest groups a union, for example, or particular business interests. 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. 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. Calendar . "For those who did not vote for me I want to thank you for coming out and participating in the process. Bill Thiel was appointed in Januaryto Roehl's former seat to finish out the term and will run for the seat this spring. The OASD School Board holds a regular monthly meeting on the third Wednesday of each month at the Oconomowoc High Schoo East Campus, starting at 6:30 p.m. >>Click here for the 2021-22 Regular School Board Meeting Schedule. I want Oconomowoc to be a destination school district for families outside of our boundaries. Schmitz:As an educator and wellness researcher, I believe there are negative effects to breathing inside a mask. 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. You have permission to edit this article. W359N6812 Brown Street. One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. In conversations with parents, teachers, and members of the community there is consensus that the school board can do better. Anderson:We all hope to get back to life as it was before masks. "Polyester masks, they're 37.8 percent efficient. Tony Evers statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. What a concept! My heart sunk. 3.) Empowering a Community of Learners and Leaders. SHARE. Empowering a Community of Learners and Leaders, 262-560-2101WoodJ@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2024, 262-560-2101KarnowskiJ@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2024, 262-560-2101CarricoM@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2024, 262-560-2101SchickS@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2023, 262-560-2101NinmannN@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2025, 262-560-2101SchraufnagelC@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2023, 262-560-2101ThielW@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2025, Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. On May 13, attorneys for the Oconomowoc Area School District School Board issued the letter to Alexandra . State legislature | Anderson:As a parent of four, the wake of our school board making national news for toxic dysfunction hit hard. This can be integrated with the resources that the district already has in place and enrich them. I led program development initiatives expanding outreach, involvement, and resources for both students and . I was so disappointed that at many of these meetings there was no opportunity for the community to speak. Anderson:The main goal for the district should start with retaining our most talented teachers and positioning the Oconomowoc brand as the destination of choice among teachers across the state. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. Another priority is to continue building trust between the community and the school board that we will do what we say and act as trustees ratherthan activists. Superintendent Roger Rindo is leavingfor the same position in the Reedsburg School District. I am excited to continue the momentum that the board has established. It will take years of rebuilding and recovery as people continue to live in fear. Meanwhile, the board will begin taking applications and discuss its plan to fill the vacant seats at its next meeting Wednesday, Aug. 18. The fact that the restrictions have been now lifted doesnt mean that the havoc caused by the lockdowns will disappear overnight. More: Candidates for Oconomowoc mayor share views on growing inflation, infrastructure and public safety. The deadline to apply is Sept. 3. Ballotpedia features 395,577 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. "We should learn from districts that have suffered the death of a child and then changed their policy," said parent Natalie McAndrew. She said she wished the district had utilized its outdoor space in order to allow all students to return to in-person learning full-time. Our district is equipped for this and should respect and adjust to every students learning style and personal circumstances. Application Contact Phone. Federal courts | DIGITAL ONLY: JUST $5 PER MONTH Schmitz:I believe in democracy and diversity. The candidates responded to a questionnaire about how they would bring stability and cohesiveness back to the board and about masks and in-person and virtual learning. The impact of an amazing teacher is immeasurable, and weve all had teachers in our past that were less than exceptional. Some want masks to be optional in schools, while others don't. 'The Culture Became Caustic,' Said One Board Member. He said the remaining board would move forward constructively. Wood said the current HVAC system at Oconomowoc High School is from the 1960s and not up to today's . I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. "I would just like to thank them for their service to the Oconomowoc Area School District," said board member Scott Roehl. R- Realistic Spending- Dont spend what you dont have. Our actions have an impact. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. As noted before, in-person learning is critical to student success. In a democratic society, we will agree and disagree on different matters, and that is healthy;variety of perspectives enriches the board. Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl were joined in approving the proposal by members Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus. SHARE. Alexandra Schweitzer garnered 3,200 votes and was followed by Steitzer with 3,010. Thiel:I have always been involved with the schools as a stay-at-home dad for my three children who all attended the district. U.S. President | Schools Details: WebSchool Year Calendar - Oconomowoc Area School District.Quicklinks. Providing support for the educators of our school district, who continue to do incredible work with our students. Counties, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. Kim Herro, Rick Grothaus and Dan Raasch had been trying to change the boards approach to governance and leadership, which they felt was toxic and made it impossible to collaboratively work on solutions, for over a year. Oconomowoc High School. Choose Select a Calendar to view a specific calendar. "[1], Jason Baumann, a member of the group, said, "We're all concerned parents in the district that are not happy with the way things are going in general with our district, with our school board. 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 specific group thats necessarily capturing the board, but its the ideological conflict itself thats capturing the board," he said. DPI, the State of WisconsinDepartment of Public Instruction, has a budget for student mental health that has increased to meet the students needs after the pandemic. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. However, we need to respect those who choose to still wear a mask. "Anytime you try to make a change we went to block scheduling, we might have done a little grading change your boardroom fills," said Phillips. The meeting schedule for the Finance, Operations, and Advancement (FOA) committee and Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (CIA) committee are available by clicking the link below. 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. View All Calendars is the default. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by challenger Matt Carrico. Schraufnagel:It is important for board members to support the school district as a whole and not get into personal projects. Three Oconomowoc School Board members have resigned in protest over how the district is handling COVID-19 protocols before the start of the upcoming school year.Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in . Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF). Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. Dan Raasch, one of the Oconomowoc board members who resigned, said the group made their decision to quit the board entirely because they didnt feel like they had any options left and they wanted to shock the community into paying attention to the ways he said their school board wasnt working in the communitys best interest. | 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. questioned one parent. School board members around the state who supported phased returns to the classroom and disease mitigation efforts like masks and social distancing have faced vitriolic school board meetings, recall attempts, election challenges and threats over the past 18 months. Thiel:I attended meetings before the resignations and after the resignations. When the board and district make student achievement their top priority, the district and community win. This is my first attempt at elective politics. "The kids and the teachers had been doing a marvelous job throughout the year dealing with the masks," said Grothaus. Therefore, we choose to no longer be subjected to the negative, noxious effects, especially when we are not allowed to engage in any meaningful work to improve the Board and our schools.. I have no personal agenda and will work solely for the community, parents and our students. 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. Footnotes. Sandy Schick (i); (bottom row, left to right). Duration: 01:58 8/16/2021. The board vice president said the news caught him by surprise as he turns his focus to the future. "When Juliet lost her seat, then we lost the majority, and once we lost the majority, the culture became caustic.". 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. EMAIL. The candidates are:Andrew Anderson,Neal Ninmann (i),Sandy Schick (i),Paula Schmitz,Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). 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. Kim Kaukl, of the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance, said he got frustrated watching school board meetings where adults talked about what they thought was best for students, but didnt always listen to the students themselves.
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