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). The chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022. My viewpoints remain the same. Anderson:Im proud and humbled to be endorsed by the teachers of the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. 4.) Culture war battles in local school boards aren't slowing down 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. "Spending time in the community I love has been an experience I will never forget," Schweitzer said. Only ONE is too many, but the actual numbers are alarming! The work to avoid faction-based political infighting starts now. "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. To read about other recall efforts related to the coronavirus and government responses to the pandemic, click here. 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. 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. U.S. Congress | 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. Jennifer Eldredge - MC-EA Bilingual Educator - School District of 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. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. SHARE. Oconomowoc School Board member Roehl to step down next week For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. COVID-19, though, lit a match under the existing tensions and "consumed everything," said Grothaus. U.S. President | 'An impossible situation:' Members leaving school boards amid After the board meeting, the district immediately began receiving dozens of requests for religious exemptions, which Grothaus said completely undermined the teachers authority. 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. The difference is in the approach. I want to see Student Personal Development days on the same days that their teachers have their PD days. Here's what we know about how the Oconomowoc Area School District is Meanwhile, the board will begin taking applications and discuss its plan to fill the vacant seats at its next meeting Wednesday, Aug. 18. 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. Grothaus and Raasch both had about a year and a half left in their terms which expired in April 2023. !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? 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. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. 3 Oconomowoc school board members quit, citing toxic behavior - TMJ4 All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. How to run for office | "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. 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. "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 letter states that the three members are also concerned about how Interim Superintendent Kristen Taylor and remaining board members are responding to the pandemic. If we fail to support the best teachers, then we will miss them when they are gone. Coronavirus: Oconomowoc School Board votes to send kids back to - WISN Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF). That mindset is the only way for us to grow as a district to go from good to great. The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. "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.". A- Accountability- Do what you say you are going to do. The 2,656 sq. The Oconomowoc Area School District (OASD) issued a cease and desist letter to a parent threatening her with a defamation lawsuit for statements she made in public forums about the use and accessibility of age-inappropriate material. 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. An effort to recall three of the seven members of the Oconomowoc Area School District school board in Wisconsin did not go to a vote in 2020. Having said that, we are still losing some of our students to other districts and other schools. 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. FOX6 News reached out to all three former members but none were available for an interview Monday. However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. Feb 10, 2022 Updated Jun 3, 2022. "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?" Oconomowoc's school board voted virtually Tuesday night to hold face-to-face classes in the fall with a couple alternatives. 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. 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. Providing support for the educators of our school district, who continue to do incredible work with our students. ", RELATED:Two incumbents who favored virtual school lose their seats on the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board. L- Leadership- You manage things; you lead people. Are we using it? First off, sell MeadowviewSchool. Our district is equipped for this and should respect and adjust to every students learning style and personal circumstances. 6 Marquette edges St. John's, Crime Stoppers: Dispute on city bus leads to shooting, CBS 58's Feel Good Friday: Free zoo admission, inflatable animals and more. 3.) "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. And my third priority is Student Global Impact. If we are forming students at OHS to be grounded, responsible and accountable, that should focus primarily on how their actions are impacting others around them at home, at school, in the community and around the world. Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. 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. Counties | "I have gotten to know many people in our beautiful Oconomowoc area, and I would not trade this experience for anything. Follow him on Twitter at @Evanfrank_LCP. Oconomowoc Area School District, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. 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. If the pandemic showed us anything, it is that kids learn the best in the classroom with a teacher. Schraufnagel:If I am elected, I will continue to prioritize the following: 1.) My own kids have spent time in robotics, drama and athletics and I want to help promote the passion of students to the greatest extent possible. 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. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. Anderson:We all hope to get back to life as it was before masks. In January, the Oconomowoc School Board agreed to put a two-question facilities referendum on the ballot totaling $75.45 million. The district needs to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to learn. State and local courts | 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. This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. ft. home is a 4 bed, 3.0 bath property. A great group of administrators, staff and teachers. Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. From January. Many Wisconsin School Boards, Overwhelmed By 18 Months Of Community We need to bring this same level of excellence to the areas that still need improvement to get us there. Oconomowoc School Board election results: Virtual learning top issue DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and 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. It will notbe my last.". In regard to your question on masks. 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. 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. Application Contact Agency. More: Candidates for Oconomowoc mayor share views on growing inflation, infrastructure and public safety. Community members launched a recall effort against three of the board members who voted for hybrid learning, including Herro. School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. 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. It will take years of rebuilding and recovery as people continue to live in fear. 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. Past board members began to work on personal agendas and that led to a great deal of dysfunction. 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. 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). Thiel:I have always been involved with the schools as a stay-at-home dad for my three children who all attended the district. For more spring 2022 election coverage,click here. The board did take a vote on replacing the three board members who left. 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EMAIL. All Rights Reserved. Schick:Our resilient district has improved our ability to provide virtual learning during the challenges of the COVID pandemic. "This feels different.". 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. You can help too. 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. There is an opportunity to advance learning opportunities through improved online platforms that can serve both students and assist parents. 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. Thiel:I attended meetings before the resignations and after the resignations. The effort failed after the group did not get enough signatures. SHARE. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. "We will never know if we did too much, but we will most definitely know if we did too little," said one parent. 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][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. 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 led program development initiatives expanding outreach, involvement, and resources for both students and . A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. The board voted 4-3 to choose him over Grothaus, who had served in the role for the year prior. The number of signatures needed was equal to 25% of the votes cast within the school district in the 2018 gubernatorial election.[1]. Schweitzer said she ran agrassroots, parent- and taxpayer-focused campaign. "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. Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". Lastly, our board can help to elevate the district by prioritizing the focus of the board itself as the existing strategic plan that has not seen improvements or modifications in almost 4 years. The results are not official until they are canvassed. "[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. "When Juliet lost her seat, then we lost the majority, and once we lost the majority, the culture became caustic.". Jessica Karnowski - Ballotpedia Most students perform better when learning in person. Sign up now! "Polyester masks, they're 37.8 percent efficient. 8, North Dakota, El Rancho Unified School District, California, Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No. Mental fitness goes beyond being mentally sane; it includes developing a success mindset that can be applied to any discipline. 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.. 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. Three-layer cotton masks, 26.5 percent efficient," another parent said. "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. Voters may cast a ballot for up to four of the six candidates. [1], The recall effort began when recall supporters filed paperwork with the school district on September 17, 2020. Duration: 01:58 8/16/2021. Schmitz:As an educator and wellness researcher, I believe there are negative effects to breathing inside a mask. Thiel:I have 4 priorities for the district. Our actions have an impact. 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. Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? Alexandra Schweitzer garnered 3,200 votes and was followed by Steitzer with 3,010. "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. Anderson:As a parent of four, the wake of our school board making national news for toxic dysfunction hit hard. "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.". Elections in 2023 | Now, nearly half the board is . The district has a focus on developing learners and leaders and the board has a responsibility to support that focus with policy and financial stewardship. [1], Herro said it was the community's right to issue a recall. How to vote | 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. 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. The property should be listed very soon. 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. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl were joined in approving the proposal by members Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus. All rights reserved. I am currently a human resources director for a company in Merton. 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 . The district needs to continue moving to unrivaled. The board is much more stable now than it was back then. W359N6812 Brown Street. This is where all of the OASD Board of Education videos will be posted. There's also high interest in the Oconomowoc School Board, where six candidates are running for four seats. Two of the seven at-large seats on the Oconomowoc Area School District school board were up for general election on April 5, 2016. Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 - CBS58 From my perspective as a board member, to ensure that we are not putting our students at risk, a soft launch to the school year will provide greater clarity as to the effects of the virus when our students are back in session. 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. 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. Schraufnagel:Since the appointment of myself and the threeother new board members, our meetings are focused on improving the school district. On May 13, attorneys for the Oconomowoc Area School District School Board issued the letter to Alexandra . 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. ContactInformation: 920-948-7183 (cell), Address:N76 W36096 Saddlebrook Lane, Oconomowoc. Ninmann:I was appointed in September 2021 to fill one of the quitting members' spots. The girl succumbed to social isolation first and bullying and feeling left out through social media next. Covid mitigation methods are what now-former board members expressed concern about in submitting resignation letters this week. 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. "We are going to still going to continue to maintain, continue to work and continue to do what we can to make the Oconomowoc Area School District an unrivaled place and an unrivaled educational environment," said Roehl. Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach. 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. All three are up for election April 5. In August 2021, Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch resigned from the board due to what they said was the board's "unwillingness to collaborate in good faith.". "They were shooting for her, there was a bullseye on her back," said Herro. Thiel:We are very fortunate to have an excellent district to start with. 37214 Delafield Rd, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 | Zillow School board members resign in protest of COVID-19 handling - WISN I would have run then, but I wanted to make sure that the candidates I supported were elected (they did) and I didnt want to dilute the votes we needed.