Ninmann:100% remain optional for in-person learning. Three-layer cotton masks, 26.5 percent efficient," another parent said. 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. Oconomowoc, WI 53066. I also attended many school board meetings regarding masking and in-person classes. My viewpoints remain the same. Schweitzer said she ran agrassroots, parent- and taxpayer-focused campaign. Superintendent Roger Rindo is leavingfor the same position in the Reedsburg School District. This can be accomplished by using the Strategic Plan. 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 2,656 sq. Neither Raasch nor Grothaus could be included in the recall as they had not yet served on the board for a full year. Decisions should be based on collaboration and transparency. I sought a September appointment and received the appointment. My main reason for applying was to bring stability and history to the table. Collected signatures for speedier repairs of the pavement in the parking lot across the street from the Post Office, which was in the core area of downtown Oconomowoc, full of potholes. "It created immediate, aggressive reactions, not only by those two board members, but also a faction of the community that they were aligned with," said Grothaus. We cannot engage in petty fights that dishonor the office. Delavan - Darien School District's DD Tech Administrator and CTE Coordinator, Michael Rick, discusses educational opportunities. As noted before, in-person learning is critical to student success. I am excited to continue the momentum that the board has established. "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. 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. Apply today! He said what boards are seeing with COVID-19 disputes is similar, but with a key difference. 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. EMAIL. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by. I will continue this trend of performance if electedto the board in April. In January, the Oconomowoc School Board agreed to put a two-question facilities referendum on the ballot totaling $75.45 million. DIGITAL ONLY: JUST $5 PER MONTH Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). The work to avoid faction-based political infighting starts now. Schraufnagel:Since the appointment of myself and the threeother new board members, our meetings are focused on improving the school district. Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. What programs or initiatives are most important to you? Public policy. The district is great with wonderful teachers, curriculum and facilities. PRINT+DIGITAL: AS LOW AS $6.50 PER MONTH. Schweitzer, who was a newcomer to running for school board, said she loved the process of campaigning. SHARE. Ensuring that we are financially viable into the future. Incumbents Jessica Karnowski and James Wood received the most votes and will retain their seats. The district needs to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to learn. Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. I am running to be elected by the community to continueserving on the board as a trustee of the district. NOW: Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 members NEXT: OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Oconomowoc Area School District Board met Wednesday night, Aug. 18,. Local school board races have been injected with partisan money and party . Job Openings at Weigel Broadcasting Milwaukee. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. 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Incumbents Dave Guckenberger and Steve Zimmer faced challengers Kim Verhein Herro, Jason Kelly and James Wood in a primary election on February 16, 2016. View All Calendars is the default. Their answers were limited to 100 words. Some want masks to be optional in schools, while others don't. I am a strong believer in in-person classroom learning, and that has worked well for myself, my childrenand others for hundreds of years. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. 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 . Ninmann:If elected, my priorities will remain that of supporting through policy, our district administration, teachers, staff and studentsas we focus on our strategic plan, graduate profile and fiscal responsibilities. | 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.. "We will use mandated masking as a layered mitigation strategy when our data proves it necessary," said Dr. Kristen Taylor, interim superintendent. Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. State legislature | "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.". ", RELATED:Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning. After the board meeting, the district immediately began receiving dozens of requests for religious exemptions, which Grothaus said completely undermined the teachers authority. 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. Learn more about the Oconomowoc Area School District at www.oasd.org. United States. This topic has become far too political, and Ill never predetermine a decision based on politics. Oconomowoc Area School District: School Year Calendar. However, we need to respect those who choose to still wear a mask. "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. Thankfully, masks are no longer mandatory. The board voted 4-3 to choose him over Grothaus, who had served in the role for the year prior. SHARE. In total, there are four seats up for election this year, and six candidates running. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. 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. The board filled the three vacant seats in Septemberby appointing Neal Ninmann, former board member Sandy Schick and Chad Schraufnagel. "Its like, whos the adult here?". OCONOMOWOC, Wis. Three Oconomowoc Area School Board members have resigned together, citing toxic behavior within the board. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and Grothaus and Raasch both had about a year and a half left in their terms which expired in April 2023. We are in a good place right now and I want to make sure that we continue being financially strong. "I have gotten to know many people in our beautiful Oconomowoc area, and I would not trade this experience for anything. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. We can always do more and better in supporting studentswellness. Empowering a Community of Learners and Leaders, 262-560-2101WoodJ@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2024, 262-560-2101KarnowskiJ@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2024, 262-560-2101CarricoM@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2024, 262-560-2101SchickS@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2023, 262-560-2101NinmannN@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2025, 262-560-2101SchraufnagelC@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2023, 262-560-2101ThielW@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2025, Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. 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. Elections in 2023 | 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. We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. 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. Application Contact Phone. Sell the old Meadow View to fulfill the promise of the past board. Ballotpedia covered 34 coronavirus-related recall efforts against 93 officials in 2022, accounting for 13% of recalls that year. Schmitz:I believe in democracy and diversity. Only ONE is too many, but the actual numbers are alarming! Another priority is to continue building trust between the community and the school board that we will do what we say and act as trustees ratherthan activists. The fact that the restrictions have been now lifted doesnt mean that the havoc caused by the lockdowns will disappear overnight. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. As a board our priorities are driven by our strategic plan and I will continue to support that plan. 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. Therefore, the district must follow the Strategic Plan and will be monitored by the documented metrics. 2021-22 OCONOMOWOC AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR (PDF LINK) 2022-2023 oconomowoc area school district website The four remaining school board members were in attendance, but no action was taken on one of the items that divided the board -- masks. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. 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. "He's not vaccinated and your decision not to require masks is going to mean that he's not going to be able to attend in-person school this fall," said parent Scott Drummond. 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. 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. U.S. Congress | Board members say the data has changed since they moved to a mask-optional policy as of last month. ContactEvan Frank at (262) 361-9138or evan.frank@jrn.com. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . Wood said the current HVAC system at Oconomowoc High School is from the 1960s and not up to today's . 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. Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". Steitzer was one of three current school board members that the groupOconomowoc Citizens Represented attempted to recall in September. 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. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. Schmitz:Based on the priorities I outlined in my previous answer, I am developing a proposal, a comprehensive plan that includes creative and innovative programs, initiatives and strategies to meet the needs of our students after the pandemic. Are we using it? I will fight for this as it will bring a transformative, long-lasting solution in times of crisis. Because of the contentiousness around COVID-19, Ford said things that would ordinarily fall in that "operational" category are instead being decided at the board level like mask requirements. 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.". More: Candidates for Oconomowoc mayor share views on growing inflation, infrastructure and public safety. 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). 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. 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 property should be listed very soon. 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. Read full article. Two of the seven at-large seats on the Oconomowoc Area School District school board were up for general election on April 5, 2016. I was part of that majority. August 16, 2021, 4:06 PM. That mindset is the only way for us to grow as a district to go from good to great. What made you decide to run for the seat and what makes you a good fit for the role? Mar 24, 2022 Updated Mar 24, 2022. 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. U.S. President | For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. "We have in the past seen national issues bleed into local government issues, but now were seeing a more sustained effort, and a more explicitly ideologically motivated effort, thats all-encompassing.". "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. Sign up now! 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 . Wood had the most votes with 5,279 (24%), followed by Karnowski's 5,010 votes (23%) and Carrico's 4,196votes (19%). Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. General mask wearing should be a family choice based on their understanding of masks and should not be monitored by staff unless under protocol since this takes time from their main task of educating. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12. 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. R- Realistic Spending- Dont spend what you dont have. On May 13, attorneys for the Oconomowoc Area School District School Board issued the letter to Alexandra . Six compete for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. I am running to continue to move our school district in the positive direction. [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. The appointmentrequires re-election. 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 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. . 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. 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. "Polyester masks, they're 37.8 percent efficient. 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. 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. Jessica Karnowski for Oconomowoc School Board, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. 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. Thiel:I have 4 priorities for the district. Alexandra Schweitzer garnered 3,200 votes and was followed by Steitzer with 3,010. There is an opportunity to advance learning opportunities through improved online platforms that can serve both students and assist parents. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. 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. Covid mitigation methods are what now-former board members expressed concern about in submitting resignation letters this week. In a statement, the trio wrote, "The OASD board has now been dragged into partisan culture wars by some members of the board" saying "Board work has become toxic and impossible to do.". "They were shooting for her, there was a bullseye on her back," said Herro. Tony Evers statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. TWEET. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. 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. Community involvement: Volunteered at the local parish church, lobbied for street resurfacing and got it done in our neighborhood of Oconomowoc Heights, which was prone to flooding. 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. They'll be posting those vacancies immediately. "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. If the pandemic showed us anything, it is that kids learn the best in the classroom with a teacher. A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. What a blessing this would be for parents! Thiel:I attended meetings before the resignations and after the resignations. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. That day, I felt a moral obligation to step up to the plate and help stop this insanity in our school communities. All rights reserved. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Leadership by the board, in the district, in classroom, by the teachers, and by the students. When the board and district make student achievement their top priority, the district and community win. I support all programs and initiatives with no favorites. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. We need to be smart with our tax dollars and do more with less. The district also must continue to pursue the sale of the old Meadow View School site. If you say, 'I don't want to play for a team, I want what is best for the students,' it won't make a difference because your name is going to be slandered if you're not on the right team. Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned. Voters may cast a ballot for up to four of the six candidates. ContactAlec Johnson at(262) 875-9469 oralec.johnson@jrn.com. The deadline to apply is Sept. 3. 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. Roehl said the climate surrounding school board meetings has become polarizing amid the pandemic and debates over safety. Schick:When I campaigned in 2002, I had the following beliefs. "[1], In reaction to the recall effort, Roehl said he preferred a face-to-face model as well. 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.