The district needs to continue moving to unrivaled. Steitzer was one of three current school board members that the groupOconomowoc Citizens Represented attempted to recall in September. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. We no longer employ consultants to work with the board on how to be board members. The county seat is Waukesha. Leadership by the board, in the district, in classroom, by the teachers, and by the students. . I dont think we need some new program or initiative to get us there. "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 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. 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. For more spring 2022 election coverage,click here. Anderson:As a parent of four, the wake of our school board making national news for toxic dysfunction hit hard. W359N6812 Brown Street. As I stated on the previous question our priorities are financial stability, increasing open enrollment into the district, focusing on the strategic plans, supporting administration and teachers, and selling the old Meadow View. "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. 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. Public policy. A statement from Interim Superintendent Kristen Taylor also focused on the future. U.S. Congress | A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. SHARE. ContactEvan Frank at (262) 361-9138or evan.frank@jrn.com. Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. 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. This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. In May, after Gov. "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. The Oconomowoc School Board saw lots of turnover in 2021, as four of its members resigned or left. 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. 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. Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned. 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. Covid mitigation methods are what now-former board members expressed concern about in submitting resignation letters this week. When the board and district make student achievement their top priority, the district and community win. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. 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.". He said the remaining board would move forward constructively. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. Three Oconomowoc Area School Board members have resigned together, citing toxic behavior within the board. "We will use mandated masking as a layered mitigation strategy when our data proves it necessary," said Dr. Kristen Taylor, interim superintendent. Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl were joined in approving the proposal by members Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus. We build futures through partnerships, accountability and transparency. 3.) How to vote | We are doing it in many areas already. Rick Grothaus, Dan Raasch, and Kim Herro announced their. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Decisions should be based on collaboration and transparency. In a democratic society, we will agree and disagree on different matters, and that is healthy;variety of perspectives enriches the board. 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.". She said: Absolutely! My main reason for applying was to bring stability and history to the table. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. Our district is equipped for this and should respect and adjust to every students learning style and personal circumstances. 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. Choose Select a Calendar to view a specific calendar. 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. ", RELATED:Two incumbents who favored virtual school lose their seats on the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board. R- Realistic Spending- Dont spend what you dont have. A- Accountability- Do what you say you are going to do. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. NOW: Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 members NEXT: OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Oconomowoc Area School District Board met Wednesday night, Aug. 18,. Tony Evers statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. powered by finalsite About Us Anderson:We all hope to get back to life as it was before masks. Student Mental Fitness should be the top priority in the district. 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. I am currently a human resources director for a company in Merton. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by challenger Matt Carrico. 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). Oconomowoc Area School District: School Year Calendar. If you make a promise keep it. Since August, the board has seen four resignations in the wake of a reportedly toxic work environment. 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. The district also must continue to pursue the sale of the old Meadow View School site. Two challengers have also entered the contest set for a vote April 5. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. 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. I am a community supporter, passionate alumni and strong advocate for becoming an unrivaled school district that will be the choice for anyone in our regional communityof learners. Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. E- Excellence- Excellence in everything we do. My 19 years of experience demonstrate that I will be a well-prepared and an effective board member. Schmitz:I believe in democracy and diversity. Waukesha County was home to 395,118 residents in 2014, according to the United States Census Bureau. Another thing that is important to me and has been added to all the meetings are a time for discussion from the community. 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. When I asked, was this pandemic-related? "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.". The candidates are (top row, left to right):Andrew Anderson,Neal Ninmann (i),Sandy Schick (i); (bottom row, left to right)Paula Schmitz,Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. ", RELATED:Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning. Providing support for the educators of our school district, who continue to do incredible work with our students. "That began a tremendous attack on the board at that point about not having the kids full five days a week face-to-face, back in the schools.". 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. Empowering a Community of Learners and Leaders. I will continue this trend of performance if electedto the board in April. Schools Details: WebSchool Year Calendar - Oconomowoc Area School District.Quicklinks. "I have gotten to know many people in our beautiful Oconomowoc area, and I would not trade this experience for anything. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. 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. The Oconomowoc Area School District (OASD) issued a cease and desist letter to a parent threatening her with a defamation lawsuit for statements she made in public forums about the use and accessibility of age-inappropriate material. Only ONE is too many, but the actual numbers are alarming! This topic has become far too political, and Ill never predetermine a decision based on politics. Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. 4.) 100% remote. Delavan - Darien School District's DD Tech Administrator and CTE Coordinator, Michael Rick, discusses educational opportunities. Vacating their seats are Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch. 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. 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. He said what boards are seeing with COVID-19 disputes is similar, but with a key difference. [7] The district was the 30th-largest school district in the state in the 2013-2014 school year and served 5,224 students. Each candidate responded to our questionnaire about their experience and what they see as priorities for the district. If elected, what are your priorities for the district? I am running to be elected by the community to continueserving on the board as a trustee of the district. Are we using it? Two of the seven at-large seats on the Oconomowoc Area School District school board were up for general election on April 5, 2016. 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. The results are not official until they are canvassed. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. After results came in, Steitzer released a message on her school boardFacebook page. "Thank you for those who supported my campaign. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and Aug 2006 - Jun 20158 years 11 months. This can be accomplished by using the Strategic Plan. ft. home is a 4 bed, 3.0 bath property. As they say, Keep School REAL. 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 chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Four Oconomowoc School Board incumbents have retained their seats in the April 5 election. I want Oconomowoc to be a destination school district for families outside of our boundaries. 5.) I led program development initiatives expanding outreach, involvement, and resources for both students and . We have developed a thick skin when we hear about another school shooting or a student being bullied, or a student committing suicide. First off, sell MeadowviewSchool. Ballotpedia tracked 29 school board recall efforts against 64 board members in 2020. The candidates are (top row, left to right): Andrew Anderson, Neal Ninmann (i), Sandy . Neither Raasch nor Grothaus could be included in the recall as they had not yet served on the board for a full year. Sign up now! "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?" some parents who are worried their kids will get sick, clear guidance from state and federal agencies, Children face cognitive delays during pandemic, Arts organizations see signs of recovery, A Milwaukee school is training students to help their peers who are dealing with suicidal thoughts, Why some schools are seeing more fights since returning in-person, Wisconsin districts face backlash over plans to teach gender identity to elementary students, 3 transgender women have been killed in Milwaukee in the last 9 months, Lawyer who oversaw Trump elector scheme in Wisconsin reappointed to judicial advisory panel, Court orders Green Bay to stop using audio devices while lawsuit plays out, UW System President Jay Rothman to seek in-state tuition increase, Capital budget would offload 4 state office buildings, Wisconsin natives aged gouda is 'best cheese' in America, contest says, Landowners sue Lac du Flambeau tribal leaders to reopen roads blocked for a month, Buyer steps up to save Camp Timber-lee in East Troy, Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. "If we really start making things contentious, people are going to walk away and go, 'I cant take this anymore,'" he said. Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. | Ensuring that we are financially viable into the future. 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. A good number pleading with the board to require masks, few for mask-choice. 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. There is a place for some virtual learning, but I will always work with our district to provide in-person learning whenever possible. 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. I dont have a medical background, but I do have a background in leveraging subject matter expertise to make tough decisions. 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. The district is great with wonderful teachers, curriculum and facilities. Bill Thiel received the most votes with 5,311 (22%), Neal Ninmann was second with 4,989 votes (20%),. 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. In conversations with parents, teachers, and members of the community there is consensus that the school board can do better. 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. 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. In August 2021, Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch resigned from the board due to what they said was the board's "unwillingness to collaborate in good faith.". While we found ways to implement some virtual learning and found ways to make it viable for students, it wasn't always a sustainable platform for teaching. "I would just like to thank them for their service to the Oconomowoc Area School District," said board member Scott Roehl. 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. 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. As a former VP of a college, I know the debate around in-person versus virtual creates opportunity for innovation. Wood said the current HVAC system at Oconomowoc High School is from the 1960s and not up to today's . Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. The deadline to apply is Sept. 3. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. 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.