oconomowoc school board oconomowoc school board

We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. I am running to be elected by the community to continueserving on the board as a trustee of the district. Each candidate responded to our questionnaire about their experience and what they see as priorities for the district. Six compete for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. 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. Believe it or not, that small step over time will also help us become a better district. Contact info: 920-474-7796;thielw@oasd.org. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc-area news with a subscription: Click here. TWEET. 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. She said the reason was to cheer up one of them who had lost a 13-year-old niece to suicide. "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. ContactInformation: 920-948-7183 (cell), Address:N76 W36096 Saddlebrook Lane, Oconomowoc. We need to put our students holistic well-being as our top priority, build consensusand move schools forward. Application Contact Address. 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. I have also mentored students at the high school in resume writing and interviewing skills and mentored students through Junior Achievement. The property should be listed very soon. Schick:I applied for the school board vacancy when the three board members resigned. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. Schraufnagel:Masks should remain optional. Our district is equipped for this and should respect and adjust to every students learning style and personal circumstances. | Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Schmitz:I believe in democracy and diversity. 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. A great group of administrators, staff and teachers. [7] The district was the 30th-largest school district in the state in the 2013-2014 school year and served 5,224 students. I will continue this trend of performance if electedto the board in April. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. 37214 Delafield Rd , Oconomowoc, WI 53066-9101 is a single-family home listed for rent at /mo. The board filled the three vacant seats in Septemberby appointing Neal Ninmann, former board member Sandy Schick and Chad Schraufnagel. The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. Since September, our board meetings have been productive, we no longer employ consultants to help us get along, we have hired a new superintendent and we were one of the only schools to improve scores during the pandemic by keeping kids in the classroom as much as possible. The board has turned a corner and is really moving forward. We are doing it in many areas already. 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. 2.) Elections in 2023 | Oconomowoc, WI 53066. I was so disappointed that at many of these meetings there was no opportunity for the community to speak. However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. Black Mental Health Professionals panel discusses representation Technicians of Tomorrow competition showcases high schoolers MATC apologizes for sparking frustration after announcing major Plans to extend Milwaukees downtown metered parking to 9pm Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 members, Three Oconomowoc School Board members resign as board 'dragged into partisan culture wars', Medical Examiner called to fatal shooting near 84th and Bender, Multiple families displaced after fire breaks out in West Allis apartment building, Cars removed from third level of partially collapsed Bayshore Mall parking structure, Long Covid is associated with significantly increased risk of death, heart and lung problems, study finds, Yao Ming caught in the cross-fire as Chinese basketball team leaves top league on eve of Covid reopening, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. One thing that really helps now is the open debate and discussion that happens between board members, without becoming personal or offending other members. This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach. "Polyester masks, they're 37.8 percent efficient. Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". We build futures through partnerships, accountability and transparency. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. OCONOMOWOC - Three Oconomowoc Area School Board members have announced they will be resigning from the board due to the other board members and the interim superintendents unwillingness to collaborate in good faith, a letter from the members states. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. Public policy. The appointmentrequires re-election. The candidates are (top row, left to right):Andrew Anderson,Neal Ninmann (i),Sandy Schick (i); (bottom row, left to right)Paula Schmitz,Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). 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 schools to hold 4 more meetings on referendum, Ocon Four bring it on, off mat in Madison. 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. School board members are responsible for providing quality education to all students in the Oconomowoc Area School District; educational opportunities provided by the Oconomowoc Area School District should develop individuals who can lead productive and responsible roles in our community and society; the Oconomowoc Area School District contains a varied population who must be represented regardless of home location (urban and rural), family income, and family heritage; The School Board needs to ensure accountability and financial responsibility; School Board Members need to be open-minded, independent thinkers who are willing to challenge the district to maximize potential; The School Board needs to plan for the future. OCONOMOWOC - Three Oconomowoc Area School Board members have announced they will be resigning from the board due to the other board members' and the interim superintendents. What made you decide to run for the seat and what makes you a good fit for the role? He said what boards are seeing with COVID-19 disputes is similar, but with a key difference. questioned one parent. The results are not official until they are canvassed. Ballot measures, Who represents me? View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Anderson:Im proud and humbled to be endorsed by the teachers of the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. In the past the board was labeled as "toxic"; however, that is no longer the case with the current board. "He's not vaccinated and your decision not to require masks is going to mean that he's not going to be able to attend in-person school this fall," said parent Scott Drummond. Of those priorities, what should the district focus on and why? Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. [1], The decision included an in-person learning model for elementary school students and a split-attendance model for middle school and high school students. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. 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.. Members James Wood and Jessica Kornowski voted against the proposal. "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. The recall effort was started by the group Oconomowoc Citizens Represented, who said Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl "willfully neglected to act on behalf of the citizens of the district. powered by finalsite About Us Parents filled the Oconomowoc School Board meeting. A statement from Interim Superintendent Kristen Taylor also focused on the future. Cities | Aug 2006 - Jun 20158 years 11 months. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. Kaukl worries that in addition to the health impacts to kids and staff, the vicious disagreements and overriding of best practices around health will drive out the people who keep schools up and running. It will take years of rebuilding and recovery as people continue to live in fear. 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. 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. Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? 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. Mar 24, 2022 Updated Mar 24, 2022. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. [1], The recall effort began when recall supporters filed paperwork with the school district on September 17, 2020. Schmitz:As an educator and wellness researcher, I believe there are negative effects to breathing inside a mask. 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 . [1][2] They were unable to collect enough signatures by the deadline. What programs or initiatives are most important to you? 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 . I want to see Student Personal Development days on the same days that their teachers have their PD days. "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. Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. The school board recall success rate was 7.8%. 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. 8, North Dakota, El Rancho Unified School District, California, Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No. Schweitzer, who was a newcomer to running for school board, said she loved the process of campaigning. The district is great with wonderful teachers, curriculum and facilities. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that United States. 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. 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. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . "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. From left to right: Mike Sereno, Joe Koch and Jeridon Clark. The district needs to continue moving to unrivaled. 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 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. "Well, my initial reaction was definitely surprise," said Scott Roehl, board VP. more, Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch resigned from the board, filled the three vacant seats in September, Candidates for Oconomowoc mayor share views on growing inflation, infrastructure and public safety, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. U.S. President | Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. Incumbents Jessica Karnowski and James Wood received the most votes and will retain their seats. Grothaus and Raasch both had about a year and a half left in their terms which expired in April 2023. I am a community supporter, passionate alumni and strong advocate for becoming an unrivaled school district that will be the choice for anyone in our regional communityof learners. L- Leadership- You manage things; you lead people. Steitzer was one of three current school board members that the groupOconomowoc Citizens Represented attempted to recall in September. The board vice president said the news caught him by surprise as he turns his focus to the future. Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. In August 2020, five of the seven board members voted to start the school year with a combination of virtual and in-person learning. 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. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Keep updated on the latest news and information. Are we using it? Thiel:I have 4 priorities for the district. (920) 474-4812. Application Contact Phone. All three are up for election April 5. You have permission to edit this article. After the board meeting, the district immediately began receiving dozens of requests for religious exemptions, which Grothaus said completely undermined the teachers authority. 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. "If people step forward and Im very hopeful that theres enough good people out there that will do that then the good quality work for kids can continue. Ford said theres also been a blurring between the district administrations role and the role of school board members. Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. Since August, the board has seen four resignations in the wake of a reportedly toxic work environment. Office Incumbent Term School Board Member-at-Large VACANT 3 years (Begins April 25, 2022) School Board Member-at-Large Neal Ninmann 3 years (Begins April 25, 2022) Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. 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. Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned. Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. "When Juliet lost her seat, then we lost the majority, and once we lost the majority, the culture became caustic.". DIGITAL ONLY: JUST $5 PER MONTH 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. 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. "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.". Some of the activities include Boy Scouts, robotics, band, choir, theater, soccer, ski team, gymnastics, track, tennis, and we even hosted quite a few exchange students. Roehl said the climate surrounding school board meetings has become polarizing amid the pandemic and debates over safety. 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. 4.) Sandy Schick (i); (bottom row, left to right). "[1], In reaction to the recall effort, Roehl said he preferred a face-to-face model as well. 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. 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. The board must focus on strategic alignment driving results and opportunity for students, teachers and parents. . 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. The work to avoid faction-based political infighting starts now. 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. "They can make no one happy.". After the fourth member left, I decided to run for election in April. [1], Herro said it was the community's right to issue a recall. This is my first attempt at elective politics. In addition, their negligence to ensure that the district provides the best educational opportunities to maximize the achievement of our students will have significant and lasting effects on our community. 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. Delavan - Darien School District's DD Tech Administrator and CTE Coordinator, Michael Rick, discusses educational opportunities. Schick:Our resilient district has improved our ability to provide virtual learning during the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Ensuring that we are financially viable into the future. Click here for the 2021-22 Regular School Board Meeting Schedule, Click here to reach eBoard and all Special Meetings & Committee Agend, Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF). The four remaining school board members were in attendance, but no action was taken on one of the items that divided the board -- masks. Despite the mass resignation, the letter states the members believes there is enough insulation between the Board and the classroom that teachers can still do good work for kids. "The kids and the teachers had been doing a marvelous job throughout the year dealing with the masks," said Grothaus. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. We are in a good place right now and I want to make sure that we continue being financially strong. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. I will fight for this as it will bring a transformative, long-lasting solution in times of crisis. 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. The chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022. 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. Oconomowoc's school board voted virtually Tuesday night to hold face-to-face classes in the fall with a couple alternatives. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. "Spending time in the community I love has been an experience I will never forget," Schweitzer said. One of our top priorities will be to review and respond to enrollment fluctuations by continuously focusing on investing in our teachers, buildings and curriculum both financially and through policy updates that give autonomy to district leadership. The district should focus on advancing these programs to meet the needs of the current times or we will be missing the boat. The Oconomowoc Area School District is located in Waukesha County in southeastern Wisconsin. Most students, however, prefer in-person learning and select that as their choice for a more traditional experience. As noted before, in-person learning is critical to student success. One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. She said: Absolutely! Roehl'sseat is also up for election April 5. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. As a board our priorities are driven by our strategic plan and I will continue to support that plan. School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. . [3][4], The recall effort started after the school board voted 5-2 in August 2020 to approve a blend of virtual and in-person learning for students returning to school for the 2020-2021 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "If we really start making things contentious, people are going to walk away and go, 'I cant take this anymore,'" he said. 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. The Pewaukee School Board faces a similar situation, where six candidates will vie. ContactAlec Johnson at(262) 875-9469 oralec.johnson@jrn.com. Ballotpedia tracked 29 school board recall efforts against 64 board members in 2020. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by challenger Matt Carrico. Feb 10, 2022 Updated Jun 3, 2022. It will be a fantastic! Tony Evers' statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. W359N6812 Brown Street. Board members say the data has changed since they moved to a mask-optional policy as of last month. Two of the seven at-large seats on the Oconomowoc Area School District school board were up for general election on April 5, 2016. Four Oconomowoc School Board incumbents have retained their seats in the April 5 election. Neither Raasch nor Grothaus could be included in the recall as they had not yet served on the board for a full year. Ninmann:I am currently serving as an appointed member of the board since September 2021. Currently the district consists of a high school serving students in 9th through 12th grades, two intermediate schools for grades 5th through 8th, and five high-performing, family focused . I have no personal agenda and will work solely for the community, parents and our students. The boards job is to focus on getting our students the best education possible and work (as our vision states) to become Unrivaled.. I look forward to continuing my involvement as a parent and community member in selecting a new superintendent, addressing transportation safety concernsand long-range planning for our educational spaces.". Federal courts | The effort failed after the group did not get enough signatures. "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.