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"I have gotten to know many people in our beautiful Oconomowoc area, and I would not trade this experience for anything. SHARE. 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. 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. While Herro, who co-owns a manufacturing business, said shes used to discord and disrespect as a woman in a male-dominated workforce, the onslaught of anger directed at her and other members was staggering. 3.) This is my first attempt at elective politics. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by challenger Matt Carrico. Duration: 01:58 8/16/2021. Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. Two challengers have also entered the contest set for a vote April 5. 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 . Mar 24, 2022 Updated Mar 24, 2022. "The kids and the teachers had been doing a marvelous job throughout the year dealing with the masks," said Grothaus. 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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. School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. 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. 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. "We will never know if we did too much, but we will most definitely know if we did too little," said one parent. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . Believe it or not, that small step over time will also help us become a better district. Town of Oconomowoc Police Department. For more spring 2022 election coverage,click here. 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. Ford said theres also been a blurring between the district administrations role and the role of school board members. "[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. Phone. Oconomowoc Schools The Oconomowoc Area School District encompasses approximately 120 square miles surrounding the City of Oconomowoc and draws students from three counties: Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dodge. "Polyester masks, they're 37.8 percent efficient. The candidates are (top row, left to right): Andrew Anderson, Neal Ninmann (i), Sandy . I sought a September appointment and received the appointment. ContactAlec Johnson at(262) 875-9469 oralec.johnson@jrn.com. 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. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. SHARE. 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.". "I was the board president during Act 10, so I understand a contentious audience, but this took it to a whole other level," said Terri Phillips, executive director of the Southeastern Wisconsin Schools Alliance and a former school board member. We are doing it in many areas already. Oconomowoc has had an optional mask policy since the start of the 2021-2022 school year. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. 8, North Dakota, El Rancho Unified School District, California, Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No. 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. I support all programs and initiatives with no favorites. 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. I want to see Student Personal Development days on the same days that their teachers have their PD days. 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 . Thiel:I have always been involved with the schools as a stay-at-home dad for my three children who all attended the district. 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. Ballotpedia tracked 29 school board recall efforts against 64 board members in 2020. E- Excellence- Excellence in everything we do. 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. Wood said the current HVAC system at Oconomowoc High School is from the 1960s and not up to today's . The board has turned a corner and is really moving forward. 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. Choose Select a Calendar to view a specific calendar. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");if(t)(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; June 2: El Rancho Unified School District, California, What's on my ballot? Read to your children. Anderson:We all hope to get back to life as it was before masks. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. ContactInformation: 920-948-7183 (cell), Address:N76 W36096 Saddlebrook Lane, Oconomowoc. With a background as a VP of a college and with my current role in senior management at an HNW investment firm I wanted to leverage my professional experience to help our board operate as a high functioning group. 'The Culture Became Caustic,' Said One Board Member. 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. SHARE. The district also must continue to pursue the sale of the old Meadow View School site. Application Contact Agency. In May, after Gov. 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. I have no personal agenda and will work solely for the community, parents and our students. [5], Steitzer's term on the board expired in April 2021, and Herro's and Roehl's terms expired in April 2022.[1]. Community members launched a recall effort against three of the board members who voted for hybrid learning, including Herro. This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. That mindset is the only way for us to grow as a district to go from good to great. Two of the seven at-large seats on the Oconomowoc Area School District school board were up for general election on April 5, 2016. Schraufnagel:If I am elected, I will continue to prioritize the following: 1.) Community involvement:I was a stay-at-home father while my kids were in school, and I was very involved at Meadowview, Nature Hilland Oconomowoc High School. Oconomowoc, WI 53066. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. After the fourth member left, I decided to run for election in April. 2021-22 OCONOMOWOC AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR (PDF LINK) 2022-2023 oconomowoc area school district website They'll be posting those vacancies immediately. Therefore, the district must follow the Strategic Plan and will be monitored by the documented metrics. The chart below details the status of 2020 recall efforts by individual school board member. Another thing that is important to me and has been added to all the meetings are a time for discussion from the community. When three school board members in Oconomowoc resigned together on Monday, it wasnt solely because of board disputes over COVID-19. 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. One thing that really helps now is the open debate and discussion that happens between board members, without becoming personal or offending other members. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. Incumbents Jessica Karnowski and James Wood received the most votes and will retain their seats. Now, nearly half the board is . Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. 5.) 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. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. Oconomowoc High School. 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. Parents expressed concern, especially for younger students who aren't eligible for the vaccine, and concern over the politics taking place. Schraufnagel:Masks should remain optional. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. Three Oconomowoc Area School Board members have resigned together, citing toxic behavior within the board. "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. [1][2] They were unable to collect enough signatures by the deadline. 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. 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. Aug 2006 - Jun 20158 years 11 months. 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. However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. August 16, 2021, 4:06 PM. Steitzer became a board member in 2018 and said this year's election became overwhelmingly partisan. Hopefully our community will rise up and demand to hire a quality superintendent who can provide enough positive leadership to overcome the current state of leadership for the district, the letter states. Bill Thiel received the most votes with 5,311 (22%), Neal Ninmann was second with 4,989 votes (20%),. The school board recall success rate was 7.8%. 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. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. 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. All rights reserved. Each candidate responded to our questionnaire about their experience and what they see as priorities for the district. United States. Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). When I asked, was this pandemic-related? 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 effort failed after the group did not get enough signatures. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that Three-layer cotton masks, 26.5 percent efficient," another parent said. 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. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. "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 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. Learn more about the Oconomowoc Area School District at www.oasd.org. 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. Ninmann:I am currently serving as an appointed member of the board since September 2021. 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. In total, there are four seats up for election this year, and six candidates running. The chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022. In-person learning includes more than book learning, like social interaction, dedicated learning spaces (not dining room tables)and much more. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and After the board meeting, the district immediately began receiving dozens of requests for religious exemptions, which Grothaus said completely undermined the teachers authority. Apply today! Mental fitness goes beyond being mentally sane; it includes developing a success mindset that can be applied to any discipline. What made you decide to run for the seat and what makes you a good fit for the role? The Pewaukee School Board faces a similar situation, where six candidates will vie. OCONOMOWOC The Oconomowoc Area School District School Board has four incumbents seeking reelection. The difference is in the approach. I will continue to work with the community and administration to keep our schools open for in-person learning. "If we really start making things contentious, people are going to walk away and go, 'I cant take this anymore,'" he said. Contact info: pschmitz06@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/PaulaSchmitzCampaign; 262-490-7048, Address:N56 W35146 Pondview Lane,Oconomowoc, Past political experience:Current board member. | I will continue this trend of performance if electedto the board in April. More: Candidates for Oconomowoc mayor share views on growing inflation, infrastructure and public safety. "For those who voted for my message I say thank you," Schweitzer said. The 2,656 sq. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. He said what boards are seeing with COVID-19 disputes is similar, but with a key difference. Sell the old Meadow View to fulfill the promise of the past board. That day, I felt a moral obligation to step up to the plate and help stop this insanity in our school communities. There's also high interest in the Oconomowoc School Board, where six candidates are running for four seats. Board members say the data has changed since they moved to a mask-optional policy as of last month. Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. The district should focus on advancing these programs to meet the needs of the current times or we will be missing the boat. One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. In May, after Gov. 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. 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. Of those priorities, what should the district focus on and why? 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. | Schick:I applied for the school board vacancy when the three board members resigned. PRINT+DIGITAL: AS LOW AS $6.50 PER MONTH. [1], Herro said it was the community's right to issue a recall. The number of signatures needed was equal to 25% of the votes cast within the school district in the 2018 gubernatorial election.[1]. I also attended many school board meetings regarding masking and in-person classes. Schools Details: WebSchool Year Calendar - Oconomowoc Area School District.Quicklinks. Most students perform better when learning in person. You can help too. Schick:Our resilient district has improved our ability to provide virtual learning during the challenges of the COVID pandemic. FOX6 News reached out to all three former members but none were available for an interview Monday. Current board members Ninmann, Schick, Schraufnagel and Thiel, along with challengers Paula Schmitz and Andrew Anderson, are running. Its not a question of which is better;its about innovation to give parents, studentsand teachers a choice. It will notbe my last.". Sandy Schick (i); (bottom row, left to right). If you make a promise keep it. 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. "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?" Vacating their seats are Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch. What programs or initiatives are most important to you? Oconomowoc's school board voted virtually Tuesday night to hold face-to-face classes in the fall with a couple alternatives. We build futures through partnerships, accountability and transparency. State executives | [1], Steitzer had not responded to the recall effort as of September 19, 2020. You have permission to edit this article. We need to bring this same level of excellence to the areas that still need improvement to get us there. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. 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. 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. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Dozens of Oconomowoc area school district parents are getting heated on the issue of face masks. Read full article. The district is great with wonderful teachers, curriculum and facilities. The district needs to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to learn. Our actions have an impact. 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. He said the remaining board would move forward constructively. Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? 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. 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. In conversations with parents, teachers, and members of the community there is consensus that the school board can do better. 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. L- Leadership- You manage things; you lead people. What a blessing this would be for parents! The board is much more stable now than it was back then. Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow.