We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. 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. Counties, Place An Ad - Call 262-306-5000/email: Conleyclass@coneynet.com, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. The school board recall success rate was 7.8%. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . 'The Culture Became Caustic,' Said One Board Member. Duration: 01:58 8/16/2021. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. The Oconomowoc School Board saw lots of turnover in 2021, as four of its members resigned or left. The board did take a vote on replacing the three board members who left. The results are not official until they are canvassed. Elections in 2023 | Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. U.S. President | I am running to be elected by the community to continueserving on the board as a trustee of the district. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials. Some want masks to be optional in schools, while others don't. Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF). Schmitz:As an educator and wellness researcher, I believe there are negative effects to breathing inside a mask. "I have gotten to know many people in our beautiful Oconomowoc area, and I would not trade this experience for anything. 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. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. Calendar . I will fight for this as it will bring a transformative, long-lasting solution in times of crisis. Federal courts | Past board members began to work on personal agendas and that led to a great deal of dysfunction. I was part of that majority. "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. You can help too. 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. DIGITAL ONLY: JUST $5 PER MONTH Our actions have an impact. Tyler James, who did not actively run during the election, had 989 votes (5%). Meanwhile, the board will begin taking applications and discuss its plan to fill the vacant seats at its next meeting Wednesday, Aug. 18. "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. Vacating their seats are Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch. The district needs to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to learn. 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. 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. 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. "We will never know if we did too much, but we will most definitely know if we did too little," said one parent. 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. 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 . 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. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. 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) The county seat is Waukesha. Decisions should be based on collaboration and transparency. All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. We no longer employ consultants to work with the board on how to be board members. supports HTML5 video. Ballot measures, Who represents me? 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.". You have permission to edit this article. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Apply today! I will continue to work with the community and administration to keep our schools open for in-person learning. School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. They'll be posting those vacancies immediately. The impact of an amazing teacher is immeasurable, and weve all had teachers in our past that were less than exceptional. more, Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch resigned from the board, filled the three vacant seats in September, Candidates for Oconomowoc mayor share views on growing inflation, infrastructure and public safety, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. 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. Current board members Ninmann, Schick, Schraufnagel and Thiel, along with challengers Paula Schmitz and Andrew Anderson, are running. Continue to implement our district strategic plan and our athletic strategic plan. "Spending time in the community I love has been an experience I will never forget," Schweitzer said. "This feels different.". 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. United States. Since August, the board has seen four resignations in the wake of a reportedly toxic work environment. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. As they say, Keep School REAL. The candidates are (top row, left to right): Andrew Anderson, Neal Ninmann (i), Sandy . A good number pleading with the board to require masks, few for mask-choice. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. Counties | In January, the Oconomowoc School Board agreed to put a two-question facilities referendum on the ballot totaling $75.45 million. Another thing that is important to me and has been added to all the meetings are a time for discussion from the community. Then, according to the resigning members, another board member told parents they could claim a religious exemption to allow their kids to go mask-free. PRINT+DIGITAL: AS LOW AS $6.50 PER MONTH. I am currently a human resources director for a company in Merton. 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. Keep updated on the latest news and information. For more spring 2022 election coverage,click here. When I asked, was this pandemic-related? I want Oconomowoc to be a destination school district for families outside of our boundaries. From January. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. Schick:Our resilient district has improved our ability to provide virtual learning during the challenges of the COVID pandemic. COVID-19, though, lit a match under the existing tensions and "consumed everything," said Grothaus. All three are up for election April 5. Bill Thiel received the most votes with 5,311 (22%), Neal Ninmann was second with 4,989 votes (20%),. The board filled the three vacant seats in Septemberby appointing Neal Ninmann, former board member Sandy Schick and Chad Schraufnagel. 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. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. Black Mental Health Professionals panel discusses representation Technicians of Tomorrow competition showcases high schoolers MATC apologizes for sparking frustration after announcing major Plans to extend Milwaukees downtown metered parking to 9pm Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 members, Three Oconomowoc School Board members resign as board 'dragged into partisan culture wars', Medical Examiner called to fatal shooting near 84th and Bender, Multiple families displaced after fire breaks out in West Allis apartment building, Cars removed from third level of partially collapsed Bayshore Mall parking structure, Long Covid is associated with significantly increased risk of death, heart and lung problems, study finds, Yao Ming caught in the cross-fire as Chinese basketball team leaves top league on eve of Covid reopening, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. 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. Thiel:I have 4 priorities for the district. We build futures through partnerships, accountability and transparency. Four Oconomowoc School Board incumbents have retained their seats in the April 5 election. 37214 Delafield Rd , Oconomowoc, WI 53066-9101 is a single-family home listed for rent at /mo. 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. All Rights Reserved. Application Contact Address. One of the main issues for the school board in the near future will be deciding on the district's next superintendent. Delavan - Darien School District's DD Tech Administrator and CTE Coordinator, Michael Rick, discusses educational opportunities. By following the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions guidelines around wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing, he said most were able to remain open all school year. This can be accomplished by using the Strategic Plan. ", RELATED:Two incumbents who favored virtual school lose their seats on the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board. 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. "I think a lot of members of the public dont understand that.". 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. [1], The recall effort began when recall supporters filed paperwork with the school district on September 17, 2020. Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. Bottom line, we need to increase our market share. We need to be smart with our tax dollars and do more with less. The chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. 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. This can be integrated with the resources that the district already has in place and enrich them. ", RELATED:Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning. Steitzer was one of three current school board members that the groupOconomowoc Citizens Represented attempted to recall in September. ContactAlec Johnson at(262) 875-9469 oralec.johnson@jrn.com. 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. Empowering a Community of Learners and Leaders. 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. 4.) Mental fitness goes beyond being mentally sane; it includes developing a success mindset that can be applied to any discipline. [1], Herro said it was the community's right to issue a recall. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. However, we need to respect those who choose to still wear a mask. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. 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. 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. Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. A statement says the board members felt their constituents weren't being heard on matters like health and safety, and that the board is influenced by a hyper-political group. If we fail to support the best teachers, then we will miss them when they are gone. Parents expressed concern, especially for younger students who aren't eligible for the vaccine, and concern over the politics taking place. 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. Voters may cast a ballot for up to four of the six candidates. Four recall elections were held in 2020. 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. 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. When three school board members in Oconomowoc resigned together on Monday, it wasnt solely because of board disputes over COVID-19. OCONOMOWOC The Oconomowoc Area School Board appointed three new members in Neal Ninmann, Sandy Schick and Chad Schraufnagel last Wednesday to replace the three board members who had resigned last month. If the pandemic showed us anything, it is that kids learn the best in the classroom with a teacher. Only ONE is too many, but the actual numbers are alarming! Aug 2006 - Jun 20158 years 11 months. Throughout my life, I have been an active participant in my community. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. W359N6812 Brown Street. This year, though, board meetings have gotten tense, and a combination of public pressure and district politics mean many wont put those precautions in place. After considering 29 candidates, interviewing six and then selecting three of those six as finalists, the Oconomowoc School Board has selected the Oconomowoc Area School District's next. "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. 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. Just weeks from the first day of classes, and in the early stage of its superintendent search, the Oconomowoc Area School Board is down to four members after Kim Herro, Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus resigned Sunday. "We will use mandated masking as a layered mitigation strategy when our data proves it necessary," said Dr. Kristen Taylor, interim superintendent. 100% remote. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. "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.". As noted before, in-person learning is critical to student success. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc-area news with a subscription: Click here. After the fourth member left, I decided to run for election in April. 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. 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. "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.". Footnotes. 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. 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. OCONOMOWOC . Ballotpedia tracked 29 school board recall efforts against 64 board members in 2020. Most students, however, prefer in-person learning and select that as their choice for a more traditional experience. 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). One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. 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. 2.) It will notbe my last.". A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. "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. "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. Cities | ContactInformation: 920-948-7183 (cell), Address:N76 W36096 Saddlebrook Lane, Oconomowoc. 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. . 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. The boards job is to focus on getting our students the best education possible and work (as our vision states) to become Unrivaled.. The candidates are:Andrew Anderson,Neal Ninmann (i),Sandy Schick (i),Paula Schmitz,Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). It will take years of rebuilding and recovery as people continue to live in fear. Public policy. SHARE. The number of signatures needed was equal to 25% of the votes cast within the school district in the 2018 gubernatorial election.[1]. "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. SHARE. Incumbents Dave Guckenberger and Steve Zimmer faced challengers Kim Verhein Herro, Jason Kelly and James Wood in a primary election on February 16, 2016. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and Student Mental Fitness should be the top priority in the district. . View All Calendars is the default. "Thank you for those who supported my campaign. As a board our priorities are driven by our strategic plan and I will continue to support that plan. Kim Kaukl, of the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance, said he got frustrated watching school board meetings where adults talked about what they thought was best for students, but didnt always listen to the students themselves. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by. "Its not a specific group thats necessarily capturing the board, but its the ideological conflict itself thats capturing the board," he said. "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. Read to your children. Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). 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. He said the remaining board would move forward constructively. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. Instead, we firmly believe that the vast majority of people living in our community value respect, decency, thoughtful collaboration, common courtesy, consideration for others, and caring for the common good. 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. Application Contact Agency. How to run for office | 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. Recall supporters said they did not agree with the decision and wanted students to have in-person learning five days a week. Roehl said the climate surrounding school board meetings has become polarizing amid the pandemic and debates over safety. Feb 10, 2022 Updated Jun 3, 2022. 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. Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? 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. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. Thiel:We are very fortunate to have an excellent district to start with. 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. We have developed a thick skin when we hear about another school shooting or a student being bullied, or a student committing suicide. In conversations with parents, teachers, and members of the community there is consensus that the school board can do better. That day, I felt a moral obligation to step up to the plate and help stop this insanity in our school communities. Jessica Karnowski for Oconomowoc School Board, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Mar 24, 2022 Updated Mar 24, 2022. 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.. Most students perform better when learning in person. The Oconomowoc School Board asked the district's administration to begin the RFP process for the property in October 2021 and approved listing the property for sale in December 2021. 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. E- Excellence- Excellence in everything we do. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. We are in a good place right now and I want to make sure that we continue being financially strong. The work to avoid faction-based political infighting starts now. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. I am a strong believer in in-person classroom learning, and that has worked well for myself, my childrenand others for hundreds of years. 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. Oconomowoc Area School District: School Year Calendar. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. Sign up now! [1] The board voted to return all grades to in-person learning starting on September 28, 2020. The chart below details the status of 2020 recall efforts by individual school board member. Oconomowoc Area School District, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed.
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