I sought a September appointment and received the appointment. By following the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions guidelines around wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing, he said most were able to remain open all school year. Tyler James, who did not actively run during the election, had 989 votes (5%). 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. The effort failed after the group did not get enough signatures. 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 support all programs and initiatives with no favorites. The three members have stepped down, citing how the Oconomowoc Area School District has been pulled into partisan culture wars., Because of the dysfunctional and disrespectful behavior of the remaining Board members and interim superintendent, Board work has become toxic and impossible to do, the letter states. 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 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. "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. 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. Contact info: pschmitz06@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/PaulaSchmitzCampaign; 262-490-7048, Address:N56 W35146 Pondview Lane,Oconomowoc, Past political experience:Current board member. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. Mental fitness goes beyond being mentally sane; it includes developing a success mindset that can be applied to any discipline. (920) 474-4812. We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. 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. The number of signatures needed was equal to 25% of the votes cast within the school district in the 2018 gubernatorial election.[1]. Meanwhile, the board will begin taking applications and discuss its plan to fill the vacant seats at its next meeting Wednesday, Aug. 18. We must govern via smart policy and not by current events or pressure from outside influences. "Spending time in the community I love has been an experience I will never forget," Schweitzer said. I want Oconomowoc to be a destination school district for families outside of our boundaries. Ninmann:If elected, my priorities will remain that of supporting through policy, our district administration, teachers, staff and studentsas we focus on our strategic plan, graduate profile and fiscal responsibilities. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. [8] Three-layer cotton masks, 26.5 percent efficient," another parent said. This is where all of the OASD Board of Education videos will be posted. For more spring 2022 election coverage,click here. Rick Grothaus, Dan Raasch, and Kim Herro announced their. She said: Absolutely! I am currently a human resources director for a company in Merton. [1], Steitzer had not responded to the recall effort as of September 19, 2020. What programs or initiatives are most important to you? If elected, what are your priorities for the district? questioned one parent. U.S. President | Incumbent Jessica Karnowski and newcomers Juliet Steitzer and James Wood defeated incumbents John Suttner and Donald Wiemer. 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. Decisions should be based on collaboration and transparency. Therefore, the district must follow the Strategic Plan and will be monitored by the documented metrics. 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. Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach. 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. 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. Community members launched a recall effort against three of the board members who voted for hybrid learning, including Herro. Vacating their seats are Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch. The boards job is to focus on getting our students the best education possible and work (as our vision states) to become Unrivaled.. Whilethere is a place for students who want to do online learning, it is not for all students. He said the remaining board would move forward constructively. On May 13, attorneys for the Oconomowoc Area School District School Board issued the letter to Alexandra . EMAIL. Counties | Phone. [7] The district was the 30th-largest school district in the state in the 2013-2014 school year and served 5,224 students. Anderson:Im proud and humbled to be endorsed by the teachers of the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. 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. This year, though, board meetings have gotten tense, and a combination of public pressure and district politics mean many wont put those precautions in place. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Read full article. 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. "We should learn from districts that have suffered the death of a child and then changed their policy," said parent Natalie McAndrew. I have served this district in many capacities over the last 6 years, both in leadership roles and on subcommittees.. "They were shooting for her, there was a bullseye on her back," said Herro. SHARE. This topic has become far too political, and Ill never predetermine a decision based on politics. Around the same time, a group of parents chased the school board around the hallways of Burlington High School after the unruly crowd forced the suspension of a meeting. However, we need to respect those who choose to still wear a mask. The property should be listed very soon. Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl were joined in approving the proposal by members Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus. After the board meeting, the district immediately began receiving dozens of requests for religious exemptions, which Grothaus said completely undermined the teachers authority. ft. home is a 4 bed, 3.0 bath property. 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. All three are up for election April 5. In January, the Oconomowoc School Board agreed to put a two-question facilities referendum on the ballot totaling $75.45 million. School districts | The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. 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. Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. Ballotpedia features 395,577 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Schick:It is the vision of the Oconomowoc Area School District to become an unrivaled learning community, seeking wisdom, honoring the past, and shaping the future. This is the districts vision and should be our guiding light. "Polyester masks, they're 37.8 percent efficient. I am a strong believer in in-person classroom learning, and that has worked well for myself, my childrenand others for hundreds of years. 556 likes. [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.. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. Three Oconomowoc Area School Board members have resigned together, citing toxic behavior within the board. "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. The district needs to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to learn. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Members James Wood and Jessica Kornowski voted against the proposal. Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? A- Accountability- Do what you say you are going to do. The deadline to apply is Sept. 3. My focus is clear: As a board member, I am there to represent the families in my district. Voters may cast a ballot for up to four of the six candidates. If we fail to support the best teachers, then we will miss them when they are gone. State legislature | 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. Student Mental Fitness should be the top priority in the district. "Its like, whos the adult here?". Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. I am running to continue to move our school district in the positive direction. Of those priorities, what should the district focus on and why? School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. 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. In-person learning includes more than book learning, like social interaction, dedicated learning spaces (not dining room tables)and much more. The board filled the three vacant seats in Septemberby appointing Neal Ninmann, former board member Sandy Schick and Chad Schraufnagel. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Only ONE is too many, but the actual numbers are alarming! My heart sunk. The board did take a vote on replacing the three board members who left. supports HTML5 video. Community involvement: Five O's Baseball coach, youth football coach, and we lead the annual Anderson Family Holiday Gift Drive supporting local families, Contact info: 414-426-4114;andrew1anderson@hotmail.com, Address:N64 W37630 Woodcrest Drive, Oconomowoc, Community involvement:Current appointee to Oconomowoc School Board since September 2021;volunteer, Downtown Business District, past board member, OconomowocArea Baseball Club, Past political experience:19+ years on the school board Oconomowoc Area School District, Community involvement: Oconomowoc Area School District, Okauchee Lions Club, Boy Scouts former merit badge counselor, Contact info:schick.sandy@yahoo.com; 262-567-2725 (home), Address: N53 W37160 E. Madison St., Oconomowoc, Past political experience: Sat on the HeadStart Board, Champaign, Illinois, 2003-05. Having said that, we are still losing some of our students to other districts and other schools. That day, I felt a moral obligation to step up to the plate and help stop this insanity in our school communities. In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials. Because of the contentiousness around COVID-19, Ford said things that would ordinarily fall in that "operational" category are instead being decided at the board level like mask requirements. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by. Current board members Ninmann, Schick, Schraufnagel and Thiel, along with challengers Paula Schmitz and Andrew Anderson, are running. United States. Ballotpedia tracked 29 school board recall efforts against 64 board members in 2020. 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. Collected signatures for speedier repairs of the pavement in the parking lot across the street from the Post Office, which was in the core area of downtown Oconomowoc, full of potholes. Anderson:We all hope to get back to life as it was before masks. Oconomowoc Area School District, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. 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. 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.". Schick:When I campaigned in 2002, I had the following beliefs. 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. The results are not official until they are canvassed. "They can make no one happy.". With the requirements to give ample notice before bringing up issues, only being able to vote on items listed in their agenda, and meetings that typically occur only once a month, theyre hamstrung from acting quickly which could get frustrating when the understanding of COVID-19, and the disease itself, was rapidly evolving. Now, as COVID-19 is again surging around the state and hitting kids harder, many boards arent putting any mask requirements or precautions into place, to the distress of some parents who are worried their kids will get sick and despite clear guidance from state and federal agencies that say universal masking is the best way to keep students safe and prevent schools from having to shut down. 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. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. The district is great with wonderful teachers, curriculum and facilities. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by challenger Matt Carrico. ContactAlec Johnson at(262) 875-9469 oralec.johnson@jrn.com. Two incumbents who favored virtual school lose their seats on the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board, Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. [1][2] They were unable to collect enough signatures by the deadline. Schraufnagel:If I am elected, I will continue to prioritize the following: 1.) PRINT+DIGITAL: AS LOW AS $6.50 PER MONTH. Anderson:As a parent of four, the wake of our school board making national news for toxic dysfunction hit hard. 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. Oconomowoc High School. Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned. 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 appointmentrequires re-election. The fact that the restrictions have been now lifted doesnt mean that the havoc caused by the lockdowns will disappear overnight. 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. I also attended many school board meetings regarding masking and in-person classes. 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. 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.". SHARE. "We will never know if we did too much, but we will most definitely know if we did too little," said one parent. I was so disappointed that at many of these meetings there was no opportunity for the community to speak. The Oconomowoc Area School District is located in Waukesha County in southeastern Wisconsin. A statement from Interim Superintendent Kristen Taylor also focused on the future. [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. "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. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. I am excited to continue the momentum that the board has established. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Schraufnagel:It is important for board members to support the school district as a whole and not get into personal projects. Incumbents Dave Guckenberger and Steve Zimmer faced challengers Kim Verhein Herro, Jason Kelly and James Wood in a primary election on February 16, 2016. Elections in 2023 | NOW: Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 members NEXT: OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Oconomowoc Area School District Board met Wednesday night, Aug. 18,. 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. COVID-related recalls accounted for 37% of all recall efforts in both 2020 and 2021. I will continue this trend of performance if electedto the board in April. "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. That mindset is the only way for us to grow as a district to go from good to great. Wood had the most votes with 5,279 (24%), followed by Karnowski's 5,010 votes (23%) and Carrico's 4,196votes (19%). Parents filled the Oconomowoc School Board meeting. 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.. Duration: 01:58 8/16/2021. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. Agendas for all regular board meetings, committee meetings, and special meetings are also available on the same site. Its not a question of which is better;its about innovation to give parents, studentsand teachers a choice. We can always do more and better in supporting studentswellness. Four recall elections were held in 2020. 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) 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. From January. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Past board members began to work on personal agendas and that led to a great deal of dysfunction. I have also mentored students at the high school in resume writing and interviewing skills and mentored students through Junior Achievement. "Thank you for those who supported my campaign. The board must focus on strategic alignment driving results and opportunity for students, teachers and parents. It will notbe my last.". In May, after Gov. How to vote | | 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. [1] The board voted to return all grades to in-person learning starting on September 28, 2020. "We have gone as far as we could to try to have a board working together, and a board that would work with the administration as a team effort," he said. Job Openings at Weigel Broadcasting Milwaukee. "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. We are doing it in many areas already. "Who in the world would want to be superintendent of a community and work with a school board that is unwilling to listen to all points of view?" TWEET. In August 2020, five of the seven board members voted to start the school year with a combination of virtual and in-person learning. You have permission to edit this article. Schraufnagel:Since the appointment of myself and the threeother new board members, our meetings are focused on improving the school district. Herro was in the last year of her term, which expired April 2022. Phillips saw 10 of her members removed in Aprils school board elections, and she said many felt targeted because of their support for phased reopening, virtual options and disease-mitigation strategies. . Six compete for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. Schmitz:I believe in democracy and diversity. "For those who did not vote for me I want to thank you for coming out and participating in the process. 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. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. Some want masks to be optional in schools, while others don't. Our district is equipped for this and should respect and adjust to every students learning style and personal circumstances.
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