The community has referenced that a large majority of families elected to start school in a full face-to-face model. Providing support for the educators of our school district, who continue to do incredible work with our students. "We should learn from districts that have suffered the death of a child and then changed their policy," said parent Natalie McAndrew. SHARE. "I would just like to thank them for their service to the Oconomowoc Area School District," said board member Scott Roehl. The board filled the three vacant seats in Septemberby appointing Neal Ninmann, former board member Sandy Schick and Chad Schraufnagel. My viewpoints remain the same. From left to right: Mike Sereno, Joe Koch and Jeridon Clark. 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.". Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. Learn more about the Oconomowoc Area School District at www.oasd.org. We can always do more and better in supporting studentswellness. [1][2] They were unable to collect enough signatures by the deadline. 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. Grothaus and Raasch both had about a year and a half left in their terms which expired in April 2023. In Oconomowoc, three members of the school board resigned, citing its "toxic" environment. 4.) 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. Schick:I applied for the school board vacancy when the three board members resigned. 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. What a concept! A statement from Interim Superintendent Kristen Taylor also focused on the future. Recall supporters said they did not agree with the decision and wanted students to have in-person learning five days a week. 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. Alexandra Schweitzer garnered 3,200 votes and was followed by Steitzer with 3,010. What programs or initiatives are most important to you? From January. The impact of an amazing teacher is immeasurable, and weve all had teachers in our past that were less than exceptional. 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. Schmitz:I believe in democracy and diversity. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 - CBS58 It will be a fantastic! By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 37214 Delafield Rd , Oconomowoc, WI 53066-9101 is a single-family home listed for rent at /mo. The difference is in the approach. Click here for the 2021-22 Regular School Board Meeting Schedule, Click here to reach eBoard and all Special Meetings & Committee Agend, Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF). "The kids and the teachers had been doing a marvelous job throughout the year dealing with the masks," said Grothaus. Our district is equipped for this and should respect and adjust to every students learning style and personal circumstances. 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. We have developed a thick skin when we hear about another school shooting or a student being bullied, or a student committing suicide. [1], The decision included an in-person learning model for elementary school students and a split-attendance model for middle school and high school students. School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. As a board our priorities are driven by our strategic plan and I will continue to support that plan. As noted before, in-person learning is critical to student success. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . A- Accountability- Do what you say you are going to do. "I think a lot of members of the public dont understand that.". Feb 10, 2022 Updated Jun 3, 2022. This can be integrated with the resources that the district already has in place and enrich them. I have been an educator for 21 years, the last 16 of them as an administrator, I felt this background would be a benefit to the board and school district. Throughout my life, I have been an active participant in my community. 2023 www.jsonline.com. ft. home is a 4 bed, 3.0 bath property. The district also must continue to pursue the sale of the old Meadow View School site. 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. In-person learning includes more than book learning, like social interaction, dedicated learning spaces (not dining room tables)and much more. Anderson:Im proud and humbled to be endorsed by the teachers of the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. In May, after Gov. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. Board members say the data has changed since they moved to a mask-optional policy as of last month. One thing that really helps now is the open debate and discussion that happens between board members, without becoming personal or offending other members. Schick:When I campaigned in 2002, I had the following beliefs. "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. I will continue to work with the community and administration to keep our schools open for in-person learning. Whilethere is a place for students who want to do online learning, it is not for all students. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. I am currently a human resources director for a company in Merton. I have also mentored students at the high school in resume writing and interviewing skills and mentored students through Junior Achievement. Both in-person and virtual schooling should be available as a choice for families to accommodate students needs and those of their loved ones. 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. The county seat is Waukesha. Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. 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. Look at our band andtheater programs, our internship and apprentice programs, all top in the state. Schweitzer said she ran agrassroots, parent- and taxpayer-focused campaign. It will notbe my last.". 8, North Dakota, El Rancho Unified School District, California, Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. "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?" Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl were joined in approving the proposal by members Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus. If elected, what are your priorities for the district? Since September, our board meetings have been productive, we no longer employ consultants to help us get along, we have hired a new superintendent and we were one of the only schools to improve scores during the pandemic by keeping kids in the classroom as much as possible. I sought a September appointment and received the appointment. Therefore, the district must follow the Strategic Plan and will be monitored by the documented metrics. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. When I asked, was this pandemic-related? Ballotpedia features 395,577 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. The district is great with wonderful teachers, curriculum and facilities. State executives | 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. 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. I have also served on both local and national boards of directors. After the board meeting, the district immediately began receiving dozens of requests for religious exemptions, which Grothaus said completely undermined the teachers authority. "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. 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. As a former VP of a college, I know the debate around in-person versus virtual creates opportunity for innovation. 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. [2] [3] Results General election Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by challenger Matt Carrico. The Oconomowoc School Board saw lots of turnover in 2021, as four of its members resigned or left. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. 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. Covid mitigation methods are what now-former board members expressed concern about in submitting resignation letters this week. 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. Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned. He said what boards are seeing with COVID-19 disputes is similar, but with a key difference. School districts | In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials. The board vice president said the news caught him by surprise as he turns his focus to the future. A great group of administrators, staff and teachers. [7] The district was the 30th-largest school district in the state in the 2013-2014 school year and served 5,224 students. Phone. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. Since August, the board has seen four resignations in the wake of a reportedly toxic work environment. Tony Evers' statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. 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 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. The candidates are:Andrew Anderson,Neal Ninmann (i),Sandy Schick (i),Paula Schmitz,Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). Oconomowoc school board approves plan making face masks - CBS58 Many Wisconsin School Boards, Overwhelmed By 18 Months Of Community | Wood said the current HVAC system at Oconomowoc High School is from the 1960s and not up to today's . 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. 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. "We will use mandated masking as a layered mitigation strategy when our data proves it necessary," said Dr. Kristen Taylor, interim superintendent. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. 556 likes. The appointmentrequires re-election. Culture war battles in local school boards aren't slowing down Four recall elections were held in 2020. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Former Oconomowoc School Board members Kim Herro, Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus resigned on the same day, stating the board had "been dragged into partisan culture. 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. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. "[1], Jason Baumann, a member of the group, said, "We're all concerned parents in the district that are not happy with the way things are going in general with our district, with our school board. James Wood (Wisconsin) - Ballotpedia Schmitz:I like to call my priority number one Student Mental Fitness instead of student mental health. 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. Schraufnagel:Since the appointment of myself and the threeother new board members, our meetings are focused on improving the school district. Steitzer was one of three current school board members that the groupOconomowoc Citizens Represented attempted to recall in September. 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. 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. [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. 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. [1], The recall effort began when recall supporters filed paperwork with the school district on September 17, 2020. However, we need to respect those who choose to still wear a mask. "Its like, whos the adult here?". The 2,656 sq. Of those priorities, what should the district focus on and why? Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Read full article. On May 13, attorneys for the Oconomowoc Area School District School Board issued the letter to Alexandra . Coronavirus: Oconomowoc School Board votes to send kids back to - WISN The property should be listed very soon. 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. Superintendent Roger Rindo is leavingfor the same position in the Reedsburg School District. A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. 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. This topic has become far too political, and Ill never predetermine a decision based on politics. Anderson:As a parent of four, the wake of our school board making national news for toxic dysfunction hit hard. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. August 16, 2021, 4:06 PM. State legislature | We are doing it in many areas already. SHARE. Boards are set up to handle policy issues like setting the annual budget while school officials are typically tasked with day-to-day operations, making decisions based on what theyre seeing in classrooms and running them by the board for approval as needed. Incumbents Dave Guckenberger and Steve Zimmer faced challengers Kim Verhein Herro, Jason Kelly and James Wood in a primary election on February 16, 2016. When three school board members in Oconomowoc resigned together on Monday, it wasnt solely because of board disputes over COVID-19. "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. All three are up for election April 5. 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. I am running to be elected by the community to continueserving on the board as a trustee of the district. "[1], In reaction to the recall effort, Roehl said he preferred a face-to-face model as well.