Anderson:Im proud and humbled to be endorsed by the teachers of the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc-area news with a subscription: Click here. The four remaining school board members were in attendance, but no action was taken on one of the items that divided the board -- masks. If we fail to support the best teachers, then we will miss them when they are gone. I dont have a medical background, but I do have a background in leveraging subject matter expertise to make tough decisions. Three-layer cotton masks, 26.5 percent efficient," another parent said. They'll be posting those vacancies immediately. A good number pleading with the board to require masks, few for mask-choice. !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? 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. Counties, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. R- Realistic Spending- Dont spend what you dont have. 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. 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. "This feels different.". [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. We need to be smart with our tax dollars and do more with less. When three school board members in Oconomowoc resigned together on Monday, it wasnt solely because of board disputes over COVID-19. If the pandemic showed us anything, it is that kids learn the best in the classroom with a teacher. Look at our band andtheater programs, our internship and apprentice programs, all top in the state. Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl were joined in approving the proposal by members Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus. Michael Ford, a professor of public administration at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a member of the Oshkosh City Council, said theres a concept called "school board capture" that refers to boards being overtaken by interest groups a union, for example, or particular business interests. One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. 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. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. 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. In May, after Gov. Two challengers have also entered the contest set for a vote April 5. PRINT+DIGITAL: AS LOW AS $6.50 PER MONTH. Members James Wood and Jessica Kornowski voted against the proposal. In conversations with parents, teachers, and members of the community there is consensus that the school board can do better. All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. Thankfully, masks are no longer mandatory. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. 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. 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. My focus is clear: As a board member, I am there to represent the families in my district. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. Ninmann:I was appointed in September 2021 to fill one of the quitting members' spots. State legislature | 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. "I would just like to thank them for their service to the Oconomowoc Area School District," said board member Scott Roehl. Aug 2006 - Jun 20158 years 11 months. 556 likes. "But where you start off with the entrenched ideological conflict, thats where its just destructive it makes governing impossible.". 8, North Dakota, El Rancho Unified School District, California, Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No. I have no personal agenda and will work solely for the community, parents and our students. She said: Absolutely! "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. Choose Select a Calendar to view a specific calendar. Learn more about the Oconomowoc Area School District at www.oasd.org. 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 In regard to your question on masks. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. How to run for office | Ballotpedia tracked 29 school board recall efforts against 64 board members in 2020. 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. 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. 'The Culture Became Caustic,' Said One Board Member. This is my first attempt at elective politics. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The letter states that the three members are also concerned about how Interim Superintendent Kristen Taylor and remaining board members are responding to the pandemic. Steitzer became a board member in 2018 and said this year's election became overwhelmingly partisan. 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. The impact of an amazing teacher is immeasurable, and weve all had teachers in our past that were less than exceptional. You have permission to edit this article. 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. State and local courts | Having said that, we are still losing some of our students to other districts and other schools. I support all programs and initiatives with no favorites. Therefore, the district must follow the Strategic Plan and will be monitored by the documented metrics. FOX6 News reached out to all three former members but none were available for an interview Monday. | A great group of administrators, staff and teachers. In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials. 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. All Rights Reserved. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. 37214 Delafield Rd , Oconomowoc, WI 53066-9101 is a single-family home listed for rent at /mo. Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. Their answers were limited to 100 words. What a blessing this would be for parents! The work to avoid faction-based political infighting starts now. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. "We should learn from districts that have suffered the death of a child and then changed their policy," said parent Natalie McAndrew. 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. Each candidate responded to our questionnaire about their experience and what they see as priorities for 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.". Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. One thing that really helps now is the open debate and discussion that happens between board members, without becoming personal or offending other members. The candidates responded to a questionnaire about how they would bring stability and cohesiveness back to the board and about masks and in-person and virtual learning. Its not a question of which is better;its about innovation to give parents, studentsand teachers a choice. Delavan - Darien School District's DD Tech Administrator and CTE Coordinator, Michael Rick, discusses educational opportunities. "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. "[1], In reaction to the recall effort, Roehl said he preferred a face-to-face model as well. The meeting schedule for the Finance, Operations, and Advancement (FOA) committee and Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (CIA) committee are available by clicking the link below. Ford said theres also been a blurring between the district administrations role and the role of school board members. Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? A- Accountability- Do what you say you are going to do. The Oconomowoc School Board asked the district's administration to begin the RFP process for the property in October 2021 and approved listing the property for sale in December 2021. Bottom line, we need to increase our market share. The board vice president said the news caught him by surprise as he turns his focus to the future. Some of the activities include Boy Scouts, robotics, band, choir, theater, soccer, ski team, gymnastics, track, tennis, and we even hosted quite a few exchange students. The chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Thiel:I have 4 priorities for the district. [1], The recall effort began when recall supporters filed paperwork with the school district on September 17, 2020. Our district is equipped for this and should respect and adjust to every students learning style and personal circumstances. "For those who voted for my message I say thank you," Schweitzer said. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. 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 have also mentored students at the high school in resume writing and interviewing skills and mentored students through Junior Achievement. "Thank you for those who supported my campaign. Six compete for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. Waukesha County was home to 395,118 residents in 2014, according to the United States Census Bureau. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. Application Contact Phone. Sell the old Meadow View to fulfill the promise of the past board. "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?" Cities | Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. 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. "We have in the past seen national issues bleed into local government issues, but now were seeing a more sustained effort, and a more explicitly ideologically motivated effort, thats all-encompassing.". School districts | Two of the seven at-large seats on the Oconomowoc Area School District school board were up for general election on April 5, 2016. "They were shooting for her, there was a bullseye on her back," said Herro. 3.) 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. 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. Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. Since there is no ability to engage in meaningful dialogue, even on the issue of the health and safety of our students and staff, we cannot be part of an organization that is so non-responsive to every constituents concerns, not just a minority segment, and is so cavalier about our students, staffs and communitys health and safety, the letter states. 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.. Footnotes. Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. Decisions should be based on collaboration and transparency. ContactAlec Johnson at(262) 875-9469 oralec.johnson@jrn.com. Oconomowoc, WI 53066. It will notbe my last.". "The kids and the teachers had been doing a marvelous job throughout the year dealing with the masks," said Grothaus. Whilethere is a place for students who want to do online learning, it is not for all students. The community has referenced that a large majority of families elected to start school in a full face-to-face model. 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.