August 16, 2021, 4:06 PM. As a former VP of a college, I know the debate around in-person versus virtual creates opportunity for innovation. This enrollment out is currently larger than our enrollment in and every time that happens, we have fewer resources to work with. What a blessing this would be for parents! We are in a good place right now and I want to make sure that we continue being financially strong. 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. I am excited to continue the momentum that the board has established. 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. Ballotpedia covered 34 coronavirus-related recall efforts against 93 officials in 2022, accounting for 13% of recalls that year. "This feels different.". L- Leadership- You manage things; you lead people. Wood said the current HVAC system at Oconomowoc High School is from the 1960s and not up to today's . 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. Schmitz:I like to call my priority number one Student Mental Fitness instead of student mental health. Bottom line, we need to increase our market share. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. Feb 10, 2022 Updated Jun 3, 2022. "We should learn from districts that have suffered the death of a child and then changed their policy," said parent Natalie McAndrew. Incumbents Jessica Karnowski and James Wood received the most votes and will retain their seats. Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. 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. Thiel:I have 4 priorities for the district. E- Excellence- Excellence in everything we do. Town of Oconomowoc Police Department. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. You have permission to edit this article. Voters may cast a ballot for up to four of the six candidates. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. Bill Thiel was appointed in Januaryto Roehl's former seat to finish out the term and will run for the seat this spring. First off, sell MeadowviewSchool. Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF). Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. Follow him on Twitter at @Evanfrank_LCP. In total, there are four seats up for election this year, and six candidates running. I've pledged not to accept donations from politically aligned special interest groups with pre-determined agendas. Counties | "They can make no one happy.". 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. 2023 www.jsonline.com. Both in-person and virtual schooling should be available as a choice for families to accommodate students needs and those of their loved ones. Collected signatures for speedier repairs of the pavement in the parking lot across the street from the Post Office, which was in the core area of downtown Oconomowoc, full of potholes. Mental fitness goes beyond being mentally sane; it includes developing a success mindset that can be applied to any discipline. "We are going to still going to continue to maintain, continue to work and continue to do what we can to make the Oconomowoc Area School District an unrivaled place and an unrivaled educational environment," said Roehl. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. 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. Bill Thiel received the most votes with 5,311 (22%), Neal Ninmann was second with 4,989 votes (20%),. 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. Some want masks to be optional in schools, while others don't. Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". "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.". OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Dozens of Oconomowoc area school district parents are getting heated on the issue of face masks. 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.. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. [5], Steitzer's term on the board expired in April 2021, and Herro's and Roehl's terms expired in April 2022.[1]. Ballot measures, Who represents me? ", RELATED:Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning. Community involvement: Volunteered at the local parish church, lobbied for street resurfacing and got it done in our neighborhood of Oconomowoc Heights, which was prone to flooding. Having said that, we are still losing some of our students to other districts and other schools. If you make a promise keep it. "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. It is intrinsic to its mission: Unless students are mentally fit and emotionally stable, they cant learn and therefore, they will not be able to lead. Incumbent Jessica Karnowski and newcomers Juliet Steitzer and James Wood defeated incumbents John Suttner and Donald Wiemer. Past board members began to work on personal agendas and that led to a great deal of dysfunction. I would have run then, but I wanted to make sure that the candidates I supported were elected (they did) and I didnt want to dilute the votes we needed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Tyler James, who did not actively run during the election, had 989 votes (5%). Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. 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 OASD School Board holds a regular monthly meeting on the third Wednesday of each month at the Oconomowoc High Schoo East Campus, starting at 6:30 p.m. >>Click here for the 2021-22 Regular School Board Meeting Schedule. The difference is in the approach. The candidates are (top row, left to right): Andrew Anderson, Neal Ninmann (i), Sandy . ContactAlec Johnson at(262) 875-9469 oralec.johnson@jrn.com. "For those who did not vote for me I want to thank you for coming out and participating in the process. "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. 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. So it's important to look at vaccination rates and where new cases are popping up. The district needs to continue moving to unrivaled. 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. questioned one parent. There is an opportunity to advance learning opportunities through improved online platforms that can serve both students and assist parents. Schraufnagel:Since the appointment of myself and the threeother new board members, our meetings are focused on improving the school district. We cannot engage in petty fights that dishonor the office. The property should be listed very soon. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. Roehl'sseat is also up for election April 5. Aug 2006 - Jun 20158 years 11 months. All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials. Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. ContactEvan Frank at (262) 361-9138or evan.frank@jrn.com. The board must focus on strategic alignment driving results and opportunity for students, teachers and parents. 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 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 2.) Roehl said the climate surrounding school board meetings has become polarizing amid the pandemic and debates over safety. Cities | Throughout my life, I have been an active participant in my community. If you say, 'I don't want to play for a team, I want what is best for the students,' it won't make a difference because your name is going to be slandered if you're not on the right team. All rights reserved. Application Contact Agency. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . Oconomowoc High School. 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.". Their answers were limited to 100 words. She said the reason was to cheer up one of them who had lost a 13-year-old niece to suicide. OCONOMOWOC . We have developed a thick skin when we hear about another school shooting or a student being bullied, or a student committing suicide. 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. 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. Recall supporters said they did not agree with the decision and wanted students to have in-person learning five days a week. A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. Schlesingers Saturday Spotlight (3/4)String Art, 80s Prom Shower chances on/off this weekend with winter weather late in Milwaukee native Ernie Johnson, Jr. honored with Award of Excellence Drop your guns, pick up our gloves: Boxing club uses movie Route 20 holds benefit concert for human trafficking victims. I also attended many school board meetings regarding masking and in-person classes. 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. 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. Keep updated on the latest news and information. Thetwo candidates with the highest number of votes will takethree-year terms of office, and the candidates with the third and fourth highest number of votes will take one-year terms. In regard to your question on masks. powered by finalsite About Us Ford said theres also been a blurring between the district administrations role and the role of school board members. However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. After the fourth member left, I decided to run for election in April. Of those priorities, what should the district focus on and why? 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. Alexandra Schweitzer garnered 3,200 votes and was followed by Steitzer with 3,010. The girl succumbed to social isolation first and bullying and feeling left out through social media next. This can be accomplished by using the Strategic Plan. The board vice president said the news caught him by surprise as he turns his focus to the future. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. 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. Schraufnagel:Masks should remain optional. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. Current board members Ninmann, Schick, Schraufnagel and Thiel, along with challengers Paula Schmitz and Andrew Anderson, are running. "Weve got some young people, students who have gotten up and spoken in front of the board on the importance of being in school face-to-face, and then you have adults who are bullying them and cheering them," he said. 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.". We hope the time will soon come again when it is possible to work together collaboratively for the good of our community and its children and stop letting the distractions and personal political agendas take us off that course.. Choose Select a Calendar to view a specific calendar. Counties, Place An Ad - Call 262-306-5000/email: Conleyclass@coneynet.com, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. We build futures through partnerships, accountability and transparency. Empowering a Community of Learners and Leaders. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12. Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). State legislature | Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. "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. ContactInformation: 920-948-7183 (cell), Address:N76 W36096 Saddlebrook Lane, Oconomowoc. For more spring 2022 election coverage,click here. From January. "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. Each candidate responded to our questionnaire about their experience and what they see as priorities for the district. I want to be their voice on the board and fill the void that exists today by addressing issues that are pressing after a horrific pandemic. I am running to continue to move our school district in the positive direction. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 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. Three Oconomowoc School Board members have resigned in protest over how the district is handling COVID-19 protocols before the start of the upcoming school year.Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in . My heart sunk. There is a place for some virtual learning, but I will always work with our district to provide in-person learning whenever possible. 25, Idaho, Braintree School Department, Massachusetts, Creighton Elementary School District, Arizona, Del Norte County Unified School District, California, East Baton Rouge Parish School System, Louisiana, Elbert County School District C-2, Colorado, Fresno Unified School District, California, Lake Havasu Unified School District, Arizona, Lake Mills Area School District, Wisconsin, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Tennessee, Middleton-Cross Plains School District, Wisconsin, Mount Horeb Area School District, Wisconsin, Oakland Unified School District, California, Paradise Valley Unified School District, Arizona, Traverse City Area Public Schools, Michigan, Visalia Unified School District, California, Westford School Department, Massachusetts, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Oconomowoc_Area_School_District_recall,_Wisconsin_(2020)&oldid=8841316, Pages using DynamicPageList dplreplace parser function, Unsuccessful or mixed outcome recall efforts, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections.

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