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. Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. 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 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. "If we really start making things contentious, people are going to walk away and go, 'I cant take this anymore,'" he said. Each candidate responded to our questionnaire about their experience and what they see as priorities for the district. "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. As a board our priorities are driven by our strategic plan and I will continue to support that plan. Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". He said what boards are seeing with COVID-19 disputes is similar, but with a key difference. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. Apply today! U.S. President | 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. 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. Thiel:I have always been involved with the schools as a stay-at-home dad for my three children who all attended the district. 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. Parents filled the Oconomowoc School Board meeting. School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. 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. "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.". The chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Kaukl worries that in addition to the health impacts to kids and staff, the vicious disagreements and overriding of best practices around health will drive out the people who keep schools up and running. In August 2020, five of the seven board members voted to start the school year with a combination of virtual and in-person learning. Believe it or not, that small step over time will also help us become a better district. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. Application Contact Address. Herro was in the last year of her term, which expired April 2022. 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. R- Realistic Spending- Dont spend what you dont have. For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. 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. supports HTML5 video. 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. In January, the Oconomowoc School Board agreed to put a two-question facilities referendum on the ballot totaling $75.45 million. 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. Leadership by the board, in the district, in classroom, by the teachers, and by the students. We must govern via smart policy and not by current events or pressure from outside influences. Mar 24, 2022 Updated Mar 24, 2022. This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. State executives | The board did take a vote on replacing the three board members who left. 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. 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.". Neither Raasch nor Grothaus could be included in the recall as they had not yet served on the board for a full year. 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. Place An Ad - Call 262-306-5000/email: Conleyclass@conleynet.com, Three Oconomowoc School Board members resign, cite toxic board behavior, Cite hyper political, partisan culture as reason for stepping down, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. 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. Sign up now! What a blessing this would be for parents! 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. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. 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.". Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. [1], The recall effort began when recall supporters filed paperwork with the school district on September 17, 2020. Waukesha County was home to 395,118 residents in 2014, according to the United States Census Bureau. SHARE. Having said that, we are still losing some of our students to other districts and other schools. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. After the fourth member left, I decided to run for election in April. 100% remote. Oconomowoc Area School District, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. Agendas for all regular board meetings, committee meetings, and special meetings are also available on the same site. Thiel:I attended meetings before the resignations and after the resignations. Calendar . In-person learning includes more than book learning, like social interaction, dedicated learning spaces (not dining room tables)and much more. Meanwhile, the board will begin taking applications and discuss its plan to fill the vacant seats at its next meeting Wednesday, Aug. 18. The number of signatures needed was equal to 25% of the votes cast within the school district in the 2018 gubernatorial election.[1]. Wood had the most votes with 5,279 (24%), followed by Karnowski's 5,010 votes (23%) and Carrico's 4,196votes (19%). There is an opportunity to advance learning opportunities through improved online platforms that can serve both students and assist parents. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. One of our top priorities will be to review and respond to enrollment fluctuations by continuously focusing on investing in our teachers, buildings and curriculum both financially and through policy updates that give autonomy to district leadership. Read to your children. Fortunately, I pray all of that is behind us. Of those priorities, what should the district focus on and why? 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. This is where all of the OASD Board of Education videos will be posted. Aug 2006 - Jun 20158 years 11 months. Most students perform better when learning in person. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Schraufnagel:If I am elected, I will continue to prioritize the following: 1.) 556 likes. Thiel:We are very fortunate to have an excellent district to start with. "Well, my initial reaction was definitely surprise," said Scott Roehl, board VP. The deadline to apply is Sept. 3. "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. Schick:When I campaigned in 2002, I had the following beliefs. "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.". "Its like, whos the adult here?". | The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. One of the main issues for the school board in the near future will be deciding on the district's next superintendent. 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). Schweitzer said she ran agrassroots, parent- and taxpayer-focused campaign. Most students, however, prefer in-person learning and select that as their choice for a more traditional experience. The impact of an amazing teacher is immeasurable, and weve all had teachers in our past that were less than exceptional. Current board members Ninmann, Schick, Schraufnagel and Thiel, along with challengers Paula Schmitz and Andrew Anderson, are running. Schmitz:I believe in democracy and diversity. Job Openings at Weigel Broadcasting Milwaukee. Schools Details: WebSchool Year Calendar - Oconomowoc Area School District.Quicklinks. . 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. FOX6 News reached out to all three former members but none were available for an interview Monday. Ford said theres also been a blurring between the district administrations role and the role of school board members. All three are up for election April 5. Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. "[1], In reaction to the recall effort, Roehl said he preferred a face-to-face model as well. Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. "For those who did not vote for me I want to thank you for coming out and participating in the process. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. "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. The results are not official until they are canvassed. 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. [7] The district was the 30th-largest school district in the state in the 2013-2014 school year and served 5,224 students. Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. My 19 years of experience demonstrate that I will be a well-prepared and an effective board member. 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. The Oconomowoc School Board saw lots of turnover in 2021, as four of its members resigned or left. DIGITAL ONLY: JUST $5 PER MONTH 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. "But where you start off with the entrenched ideological conflict, thats where its just destructive it makes governing impossible.". For more spring 2022 election coverage,click here. 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. Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. Our actions have an impact. I am a strong believer in in-person classroom learning, and that has worked well for myself, my childrenand others for hundreds of years. 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. ft. home is a 4 bed, 3.0 bath property. 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. Superintendent Roger Rindo is leavingfor the same position in the Reedsburg School District. 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. In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. 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. One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. Click here for the 2021-22 Regular School Board Meeting Schedule, Click here to reach eBoard and all Special Meetings & Committee Agend, Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF). The board vice president said the news caught him by surprise as he turns his focus to the future. 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. Kim Herro, Rick Grothaus and Dan Raasch had been trying to change the boards approach to governance and leadership, which they felt was toxic and made it impossible to collaboratively work on solutions, for over a year. I was so disappointed that at many of these meetings there was no opportunity for the community to speak. (920) 474-4812. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . Parents expressed concern, especially for younger students who aren't eligible for the vaccine, and concern over the politics taking place. Town of Oconomowoc Police Department. [1][2] They were unable to collect enough signatures by the deadline. Schraufnagel:Masks should remain optional. Anderson:We all hope to get back to life as it was before masks. They would be able to go to work that day. "I think a lot of members of the public dont understand that.". ", RELATED:Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning. That mindset is the only way for us to grow as a district to go from good to great. I am excited to continue the momentum that the board has established. Then in November, board member Scott Roehl left after moving out of the district and saying in a Facebook post that he and his family did not feel safe in their home. 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. 8, North Dakota, El Rancho Unified School District, California, Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No.
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