I've pledged not to accept donations from politically aligned special interest groups with pre-determined agendas. Current board members Ninmann, Schick, Schraufnagel and Thiel, along with challengers Paula Schmitz and Andrew Anderson, are running. Ninmann:I am currently serving as an appointed member of the board since September 2021. 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. supports HTML5 video. Herro was in the last year of her term, which expired April 2022. The district needs to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to learn. Learn more about the Oconomowoc Area School District at www.oasd.org. 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. 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) A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. We need to bring this same level of excellence to the areas that still need improvement to get us there. Schick:When I campaigned in 2002, I had the following beliefs. Ballotpedia tracked 29 school board recall efforts against 64 board members in 2020. Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach. 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 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. "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. Now, as COVID-19 is again surging around the state and hitting kids harder, many boards arent putting any mask requirements or precautions into place, to the distress of some parents who are worried their kids will get sick and despite clear guidance from state and federal agencies that say universal masking is the best way to keep students safe and prevent schools from having to shut down. Currently the district consists of a high school serving students in 9th through 12th grades, two intermediate schools for grades 5th through 8th, and five high-performing, family focused . What a blessing this would be for parents! 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. 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. [5], Steitzer's term on the board expired in April 2021, and Herro's and Roehl's terms expired in April 2022.[1]. This is where all of the OASD Board of Education videos will be posted. Recall supporters said they did not agree with the decision and wanted students to have in-person learning five days a week. A good number pleading with the board to require masks, few for mask-choice. Oconomowoc's school board voted virtually Tuesday night to hold face-to-face classes in the fall with a couple alternatives. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. 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. Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. Here's what we know about how the Oconomowoc Area School District is Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned. The board filled the three vacant seats in Septemberby appointing Neal Ninmann, former board member Sandy Schick and Chad Schraufnagel. Covid mitigation methods are what now-former board members expressed concern about in submitting resignation letters this week. In May, after Gov. SHARE. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. 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. I will fight for this as it will bring a transformative, long-lasting solution in times of crisis. 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. I was part of that majority. 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. Job Openings at Weigel Broadcasting Milwaukee. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . ContactInformation: 920-948-7183 (cell), Address:N76 W36096 Saddlebrook Lane, Oconomowoc. 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. This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. 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. Tyler James, who did not actively run during the election, had 989 votes (5%). Schraufnagel:Since the appointment of myself and the threeother new board members, our meetings are focused on improving the school district. I have also served on both local and national boards of directors. Community members launched a recall effort against three of the board members who voted for hybrid learning, including Herro. 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. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 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. I dont think we need some new program or initiative to get us there. 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.". "Thank you for those who supported my campaign. Oconomowoc School Board member Roehl to step down next week Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. "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.". They'll be posting those vacancies immediately. Both in-person and virtual schooling should be available as a choice for families to accommodate students needs and those of their loved ones. Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. How to vote | Anderson:Im proud and humbled to be endorsed by the teachers of the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. I want Oconomowoc to be a destination school district for families outside of our boundaries. !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? However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. If the pandemic showed us anything, it is that kids learn the best in the classroom with a teacher. We cannot engage in petty fights that dishonor the office. "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. 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. I support all programs and initiatives with no favorites. Wood said the current HVAC system at Oconomowoc High School is from the 1960s and not up to today's . This enrollment out is currently larger than our enrollment in and every time that happens, we have fewer resources to work with. Oconomowoc has been mostly optional since the start of this school year, and we intend to remain that way. 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. Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. "The kids and the teachers had been doing a marvelous job throughout the year dealing with the masks," said Grothaus. 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. I have no personal agenda and will work solely for the community, parents and our students. 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. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. "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. 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. Bill Thiel received the most votes with 5,311 (22%), Neal Ninmann was second with 4,989 votes (20%),. Steitzer was one of three current school board members that the groupOconomowoc Citizens Represented attempted to recall in September. Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl were joined in approving the proposal by members Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus. Leadership by the board, in the district, in classroom, by the teachers, and by the students. ft. home is a 4 bed, 3.0 bath property. After the board meeting, the district immediately began receiving dozens of requests for religious exemptions, which Grothaus said completely undermined the teachers authority. I will continue this trend of performance if electedto the board in April. 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. It will be a fantastic! Its not a question of which is better;its about innovation to give parents, studentsand teachers a choice. All rights reserved. State executives | "[1], In reaction to the recall effort, Roehl said he preferred a face-to-face model as well. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that Counties | "Well, my initial reaction was definitely surprise," said Scott Roehl, board VP. Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? Throughout my life, I have been an active participant in my community. Grothaus and Raasch both had about a year and a half left in their terms which expired in April 2023. I am running to be elected by the community to continueserving on the board as a trustee of the district. Oconomowoc Area School District, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. Oconomowoc school board approves plan making face masks - CBS58 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. As noted before, in-person learning is critical to student success. [1] The board voted to return all grades to in-person learning starting on September 28, 2020. If we fail to support the best teachers, then we will miss them when they are gone. In a democratic society, we will agree and disagree on different matters, and that is healthy;variety of perspectives enriches the board. Contact info: pschmitz06@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/PaulaSchmitzCampaign; 262-490-7048, Address:N56 W35146 Pondview Lane,Oconomowoc, Past political experience:Current board member. Choose Select a Calendar to view a specific calendar. And if not, well, then this is the board the community wants.". 4.) 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Culture war battles in local school boards aren't slowing down Roehl said the climate surrounding school board meetings has become polarizing amid the pandemic and debates over safety. 2021-22 OCONOMOWOC AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR (PDF LINK) 2022-2023 oconomowoc area school district website Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. 8, North Dakota, El Rancho Unified School District, California, Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No. We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. In May, after Gov. The Pewaukee School Board faces a similar situation, where six candidates will vie. "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. "When Juliet lost her seat, then we lost the majority, and once we lost the majority, the culture became caustic.".
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