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. 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. Three-layer cotton masks, 26.5 percent efficient," another parent said. More: Candidates for Oconomowoc mayor share views on growing inflation, infrastructure and public safety. Since being on the board we have been able to begin the process of selling the old Meadow View building, we have hired a new superintendent, and increased student growth during the pandemic. 3.) Schraufnagel:If I am elected, I will continue to prioritize the following: 1.) On May 13, attorneys for the Oconomowoc Area School District School Board issued the letter to Alexandra . Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. !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? "For those who did not vote for me I want to thank you for coming out and participating in the process. I led program development initiatives expanding outreach, involvement, and resources for both students and . Schick:When I campaigned in 2002, I had the following beliefs. The four remaining school board members were in attendance, but no action was taken on one of the items that divided the board -- masks. If elected, what are your priorities for the district? R- Realistic Spending- Dont spend what you dont have. 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. 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. 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. As a former VP of a college, I know the debate around in-person versus virtual creates opportunity for innovation. Follow him on Twitter at @Evanfrank_LCP. "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. 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. My heart sunk. 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. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Contact info: 920-474-7796;thielw@oasd.org. Job Openings at Weigel Broadcasting Milwaukee. Boiling tensions are exacerbated by the structure of school boards themselves, said Dan Rossmiller, director of government relations at the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. . The work to avoid faction-based political infighting starts now. . Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. Current board members Ninmann, Schick, Schraufnagel and Thiel, along with challengers Paula Schmitz and Andrew Anderson, are running. 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.". Since August, the board has seen four resignations in the wake of a reportedly toxic work environment. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. Schick:I applied for the school board vacancy when the three board members resigned. The board voted 4-3 to choose him over Grothaus, who had served in the role for the year prior. One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. Oconomowoc Area School District, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. The candidates are (top row, left to right): Andrew Anderson, Neal Ninmann (i), Sandy . "If we really start making things contentious, people are going to walk away and go, 'I cant take this anymore,'" he said. We need to be smart with our tax dollars and do more with less. (920) 474-4812. Feb 10, 2022 Updated Jun 3, 2022. 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. "They can make no one happy.". "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.". Oconomowoc, WI 53066. Thankfully, masks are no longer mandatory. Both in-person and virtual schooling should be available as a choice for families to accommodate students needs and those of their loved ones. 2023 www.jsonline.com. The school board recall success rate was 7.8%. "We will never know if we did too much, but we will most definitely know if we did too little," said one parent. So it's important to look at vaccination rates and where new cases are popping up. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. 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. "Polyester masks, they're 37.8 percent efficient. The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. Look at our band andtheater programs, our internship and apprentice programs, all top in the state. "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. I also attended many school board meetings regarding masking and in-person classes. The board must focus on strategic alignment driving results and opportunity for students, teachers and parents. Herro was in the last year of her term, which expired April 2022. 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). 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. 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 number of signatures needed was equal to 25% of the votes cast within the school district in the 2018 gubernatorial election.[1]. ", RELATED:Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. 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 . In August 2020, five of the seven board members voted to start the school year with a combination of virtual and in-person learning. "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. [1], Steitzer had not responded to the recall effort as of September 19, 2020. 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. Students can grow and develop these mindful skills in a fun-filled environment that departs from the classroom and uses a common space like the cafeteria, the gym, and/or some outdoor space on campus or in the community. SHARE. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . Steitzer was one of three current school board members that the groupOconomowoc Citizens Represented attempted to recall in September. [1], Herro said it was the community's right to issue a recall. In May, after Gov. Tony Evers' statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. 2021-22 OCONOMOWOC AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR (PDF LINK) 2022-2023 oconomowoc area school district website I have no personal agenda and will work solely for the community, parents and our students. 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. There's also high interest in the Oconomowoc School Board, where six candidates are running for four seats. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. Four recall elections were held in 2020. 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. The board vice president said the news caught him by surprise as he turns his focus to the future. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. This enrollment out is currently larger than our enrollment in and every time that happens, we have fewer resources to work with. "Its like, whos the adult here?". The district needs to continue moving to unrivaled. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. 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. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Dozens of Oconomowoc area school district parents are getting heated on the issue of face masks. Board members say the data has changed since they moved to a mask-optional policy as of last month. [2] [3] Results General election Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? Application Contact Address. All three are up for election April 5. I am a good fit for this role as I can work well with a variety of people, and I can agree and disagree with them without allowing it to become personal. [1], The recall effort began when recall supporters filed paperwork with the school district on September 17, 2020. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. August 16, 2021, 4:06 PM. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. I am a strong believer in in-person classroom learning, and that has worked well for myself, my childrenand others for hundreds of years. Leadership by the board, in the district, in classroom, by the teachers, and by the students. "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. "I would just like to thank them for their service to the Oconomowoc Area School District," said board member Scott Roehl. From left to right: Mike Sereno, Joe Koch and Jeridon Clark. 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. 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. 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. Choose Select a Calendar to view a specific calendar. They'll be posting those vacancies immediately. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. Neither Raasch nor Grothaus could be included in the recall as they had not yet served on the board for a full year. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. In January, the Oconomowoc School Board agreed to put a two-question facilities referendum on the ballot totaling $75.45 million. [5], Steitzer's term on the board expired in April 2021, and Herro's and Roehl's terms expired in April 2022.[1]. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. The starting point in creating the best school district in the state is through talented teachers, and Im proud to accept the endorsement of the teachers in the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. Counties | Schraufnagel:Masks should remain optional. 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. "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. "[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. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. 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. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. 4.) In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials. They would be able to go to work that day. And if not, well, then this is the board the community wants.". I have served this district in many capacities over the last 6 years, both in leadership roles and on subcommittees.. Superintendent Roger Rindo is leavingfor the same position in the Reedsburg School District. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and The difference is in the approach. 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. Footnotes. She said the reason was to cheer up one of them who had lost a 13-year-old niece to suicide. 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. Calendar . Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl were joined in approving the proposal by members Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus. 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). 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) Incumbents Jessica Karnowski and James Wood received the most votes and will retain their seats. 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. The impact of an amazing teacher is immeasurable, and weve all had teachers in our past that were less than exceptional. Another thing that is important to me and has been added to all the meetings are a time for discussion from the community. Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. Read to your children. | Vacating their seats are Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. Oconomowoc High School. 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. There is a place for some virtual learning, but I will always work with our district to provide in-person learning whenever possible. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. "That began a tremendous attack on the board at that point about not having the kids full five days a week face-to-face, back in the schools.". Contact info: pschmitz06@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/PaulaSchmitzCampaign; 262-490-7048, Address:N56 W35146 Pondview Lane,Oconomowoc, Past political experience:Current board member. 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. We are in a good place right now and I want to make sure that we continue being financially strong. Thiel:I have always been involved with the schools as a stay-at-home dad for my three children who all attended the district. Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. The appointmentrequires re-election. "For those who voted for my message I say thank you," Schweitzer said. 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. 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 . [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. 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. A statement from Interim Superintendent Kristen Taylor also focused on the future. I want Oconomowoc to be a destination school district for families outside of our boundaries. "[1], In reaction to the recall effort, Roehl said he preferred a face-to-face model as well. In regard to your question on masks. Cities | From January. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. We have developed a thick skin when we hear about another school shooting or a student being bullied, or a student committing suicide. I have been an educator for 21 years, the last 16 of them as an administrator, I felt this background would be a benefit to the board and school district. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. COVID-19, though, lit a match under the existing tensions and "consumed everything," said Grothaus. Parents expressed concern, especially for younger students who aren't eligible for the vaccine, and concern over the politics taking place. 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. What a blessing this would be for parents! What a concept! The 2,656 sq. Keep updated on the latest news and information. Application Contact Agency. 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. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by challenger Matt Carrico. This is my first attempt at elective politics. Ballot measures, Who represents me? Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Former Oconomowoc School Board members Kim Herro, Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus resigned on the same day, stating the board had "been dragged into partisan culture. 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. The district is great with wonderful teachers, curriculum and facilities. There is a list of health precautions including daily sanitizing of . "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. 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. How to vote | Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. 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.