The Oconomowoc Area School District is located in Waukesha County in southeastern Wisconsin. Tony Evers statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. She said the reason was to cheer up one of them who had lost a 13-year-old niece to suicide. powered by finalsite About Us Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned. 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. Tony Evers' statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. Ninmann:I am currently serving as an appointed member of the board since September 2021. The results are not official until they are canvassed. We cannot engage in petty fights that dishonor the office. Six compete for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". The impact of an amazing teacher is immeasurable, and weve all had teachers in our past that were less than exceptional. I sought a September appointment and received the appointment. All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. Steitzer was one of three current school board members that the groupOconomowoc Citizens Represented attempted to recall in September. Roehl'sseat is also up for election April 5. 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. W359N6812 Brown Street. My main reason for applying was to bring stability and history to the table. Voters in the Oconomowoc, Shorewood and North Lake school districts Most students, however, prefer in-person learning and select that as their choice for a more traditional experience. Covid mitigation methods are what now-former board members expressed concern about in submitting resignation letters this week. Oconomowoc school board approves plan making face masks - CBS58 [1], Steitzer had not responded to the recall effort as of September 19, 2020. 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. 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. 'The Culture Became Caustic,' Said One Board Member. Schmitz:I believe in democracy and diversity. I also attended many school board meetings regarding masking and in-person classes. R- Realistic Spending- Dont spend what you dont have. L- Leadership- You manage things; you lead people. 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. The district also must continue to pursue the sale of the old Meadow View School site. 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 unwillingness to collaborate in good faith, a letter from the members states. 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. Alexandra Schweitzer garnered 3,200 votes and was followed by Steitzer with 3,010. The county seat is Waukesha. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. 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 . We have developed a thick skin when we hear about another school shooting or a student being bullied, or a student committing suicide. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. The girl succumbed to social isolation first and bullying and feeling left out through social media next. "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. The community has referenced that a large majority of families elected to start school in a full face-to-face model. They'll be posting those vacancies immediately. 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. Federal courts | "You want conflict on a governing board, it brings more voices to the table and it can lead to a solution that can be supported by even a divided group," he said. 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. Contact info: 920-474-7796;thielw@oasd.org. My heart sunk. Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF). Jennifer Eldredge - MC-EA Bilingual Educator - School District of 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. I dont have a medical background, but I do have a background in leveraging subject matter expertise to make tough decisions. I have also served on both local and national boards of directors. Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. He said the remaining board would move forward constructively. Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. Learn more about the Oconomowoc Area School District at www.oasd.org. 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 Area School Board appoints 3 new members after resignations, Crash victim brought light to many around the country, Waukesha business owner sexually assaulted in store, Babes Pizza and Chicken to open next week in Mukwonago, A battle simmers in Illinois over plans to pipe in and store millions of tons of planet-warming carbon dioxide underground. There is a list of health precautions including daily sanitizing of . Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. Sign up now! [1], The recall effort began when recall supporters filed paperwork with the school district on September 17, 2020. Oconomowoc superintendent search narrows to three Ensuring that we are financially viable into the future. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc-area news with a subscription: Click here. 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. 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. Four recall elections were held in 2020. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. "If we really start making things contentious, people are going to walk away and go, 'I cant take this anymore,'" he said. Herro was in the last year of her term, which expired April 2022. 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. I want to see Student Personal Development days on the same days that their teachers have their PD days. Read to your children. We build futures through partnerships, accountability and transparency. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . Are we using it? However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. Choose Select a Calendar to view a specific calendar. 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. August 16, 2021, 4:06 PM. I am a strong believer in in-person classroom learning, and that has worked well for myself, my childrenand others for hundreds of years. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. 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. Elections in 2023 | In regard to your question on masks. If you make a promise keep it. Oconomowoc Area School District: School Board "We will use mandated masking as a layered mitigation strategy when our data proves it necessary," said Dr. Kristen Taylor, interim superintendent. For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. 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. "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. Additionally, we are lacking a significant strategic initiative to address why families who live in our district are actively opting out of keeping their children at our schools. A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. 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. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. Six candidates are running for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board Roehl said the climate surrounding school board meetings has become polarizing amid the pandemic and debates over safety. James Wood (Wisconsin) - Ballotpedia Student Mental Fitness should be the top priority in the district. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. The 2,656 sq. 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. Current board members Ninmann, Schick, Schraufnagel and Thiel, along with challengers Paula Schmitz and Andrew Anderson, are running. A good number pleading with the board to require masks, few for mask-choice. My viewpoints remain the same. You have permission to edit this article. 556 likes. We can have a vigorous discussion, take our voteand all feel good about what we have accomplished. 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. 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. "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. Wood had the most votes with 5,279 (24%), followed by Karnowski's 5,010 votes (23%) and Carrico's 4,196votes (19%). Oconomowoc, WI 53066. Here's who's running for office in Lake Country during this spring's 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. 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PRINT+DIGITAL: AS LOW AS $6.50 PER MONTH. "We should learn from districts that have suffered the death of a child and then changed their policy," said parent Natalie McAndrew. School board members resign in COVID-19 protest - Yahoo! News 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. Schraufnagel:It is important for board members to support the school district as a whole and not get into personal projects. 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. DIGITAL ONLY: JUST $5 PER MONTH "I do think theres been this public expectation around COVID that we want these school board officials to manage the day-to-day," he said. Oconomowoc Area School District Board of - Livestream In total, there are four seats up for election this year, and six candidates running. 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. Empowering a Community of Learners and Leaders. 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. Schick:Our resilient district has improved our ability to provide virtual learning during the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Jessica Karnowski for Oconomowoc School Board | Oconomowoc WI - Facebook Grothaus and Raasch both had about a year and a half left in their terms which expired in April 2023. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. School board members resign in protest of COVID-19 handling - WISN Superintendent Roger Rindo is leavingfor the same position in the Reedsburg School District. Therefore, the district must follow the Strategic Plan and will be monitored by the documented metrics. "I have gotten to know many people in our beautiful Oconomowoc area, and I would not trade this experience for anything. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by. 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. The difference is in the approach. We need to be smart with our tax dollars and do more with less. Parents filled the Oconomowoc School Board meeting. The fact that the restrictions have been now lifted doesnt mean that the havoc caused by the lockdowns will disappear overnight. First off, sell MeadowviewSchool. 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. And if not, well, then this is the board the community wants.". We must govern via smart policy and not by current events or pressure from outside influences. 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. When three school board members in Oconomowoc resigned together on Monday, it wasnt solely because of board disputes over COVID-19. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. (920) 474-4812. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. I want Oconomowoc to be a destination school district for families outside of our boundaries. My focus is clear: As a board member, I am there to represent the families in my district. [1], Herro said it was the community's right to issue a recall. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. Schmitz:I like to call my priority number one Student Mental Fitness instead of student mental health. "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. "When Juliet lost her seat, then we lost the majority, and once we lost the majority, the culture became caustic.". Mental fitness goes beyond being mentally sane; it includes developing a success mindset that can be applied to any discipline. I have served this district in many capacities over the last 6 years, both in leadership roles and on subcommittees.. School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. The district is great with wonderful teachers, curriculum and facilities. I am excited to continue the momentum that the board has established. "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. 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. 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. 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. "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.". 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. [8] I was so disappointed that at many of these meetings there was no opportunity for the community to speak. It will notbe my last.". Bill Thiel was appointed in Januaryto Roehl's former seat to finish out the term and will run for the seat this spring. The district should focus on advancing these programs to meet the needs of the current times or we will be missing the boat. As noted before, in-person learning is critical to student success. The board did take a vote on replacing the three board members who left. Having said that, we are still losing some of our students to other districts and other schools. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. 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. A great group of administrators, staff and teachers. Waukesha County was home to 395,118 residents in 2014, according to the United States Census Bureau. FOX6 News reached out to all three former members but none were available for an interview Monday. However, we need to respect those who choose to still wear a mask. Tyler James, who did not actively run during the election, had 989 votes (5%). . | ", RELATED:Two incumbents who favored virtual school lose their seats on the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board. [1][2] They were unable to collect enough signatures by the deadline. Members James Wood and Jessica Kornowski voted against the proposal. 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. Incumbents Jessica Karnowski and James Wood received the most votes and will retain their seats. 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. This can be accomplished by using the Strategic Plan. I led program development initiatives expanding outreach, involvement, and resources for both students and . I have also mentored students at the high school in resume writing and interviewing skills and mentored students through Junior Achievement. 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. My 19 years of experience demonstrate that I will be a well-prepared and an effective board member. Parents expressed concern, especially for younger students who aren't eligible for the vaccine, and concern over the politics taking place. The chart below details the status of 2020 recall efforts by individual school board member. Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. Another thing that is important to me and has been added to all the meetings are a time for discussion from the community. 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 . Jessica Karnowski for Oconomowoc School Board, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. 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. Schmitz:As an educator and wellness researcher, I believe there are negative effects to breathing inside a mask. So it's important to look at vaccination rates and where new cases are popping up. Contact info: pschmitz06@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/PaulaSchmitzCampaign; 262-490-7048, Address:N56 W35146 Pondview Lane,Oconomowoc, Past political experience:Current board member. Anderson:Im proud and humbled to be endorsed by the teachers of the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. Rick Grothaus, Dan Raasch, and Kim Herro announced their. Six candidates square off for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board Sell the old Meadow View to fulfill the promise of the past board. In Oconomowoc, three members of the school board resigned, citing its "toxic" environment. Phone. "For those who voted for my message I say thank you," Schweitzer said. "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?" Boiling tensions are exacerbated by the structure of school boards themselves, said Dan Rossmiller, director of government relations at the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. The effort failed after the group did not get enough signatures. Ballot measures, Who represents me? Three Oconomowoc School Board members resign, cite toxic board behavior
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