Calendar Oconomowoc Tourism, WI CivicEngage Calendar . E- Excellence- Excellence in everything we do. The board must focus on strategic alignment driving results and opportunity for students, teachers and parents. Oconomowoc Area School District, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. Bill Thiel was appointed in Januaryto Roehl's former seat to finish out the term and will run for the seat this spring. "For those who did not vote for me I want to thank you for coming out and participating in the process. 37214 Delafield Rd , Oconomowoc, WI 53066-9101 is a single-family home listed for rent at /mo. "[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. I was part of that majority. Oconomowoc superintendent search narrows to three 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. Ballot measures, Who represents me? [5], Steitzer's term on the board expired in April 2021, and Herro's and Roehl's terms expired in April 2022.[1]. Ford said conflict in school boards isnt a bad thing, but it becomes a problem when people are so dug in on their beliefs that they cant find compromise, or even have productive discussions. State executives | 'An impossible situation:' Members leaving school boards amid The board has turned a corner and is really moving forward. United States. Ninmann:I was appointed in September 2021 to fill one of the quitting members' spots. FOX6 News reached out to all three former members but none were available for an interview Monday. "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. COVID-19, though, lit a match under the existing tensions and "consumed everything," said Grothaus. Roehl said he also preferred an in-person learning model, but that it needed to be phased in to ensure the safety of students and staff. 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. State legislature | You can help too. Oconomowoc Area School District: School Board "This feels different.". The four remaining school board members were in attendance, but no action was taken on one of the items that divided the board -- masks. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. [1], Herro said it was the community's right to issue a recall. Black Mental Health Professionals panel discusses representation Technicians of Tomorrow competition showcases high schoolers MATC apologizes for sparking frustration after announcing major Plans to extend Milwaukees downtown metered parking to 9pm Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 members, Three Oconomowoc School Board members resign as board 'dragged into partisan culture wars', Medical Examiner called to fatal shooting near 84th and Bender, Multiple families displaced after fire breaks out in West Allis apartment building, Cars removed from third level of partially collapsed Bayshore Mall parking structure, Long Covid is associated with significantly increased risk of death, heart and lung problems, study finds, Yao Ming caught in the cross-fire as Chinese basketball team leaves top league on eve of Covid reopening, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. Wood had the most votes with 5,279 (24%), followed by Karnowski's 5,010 votes (23%) and Carrico's 4,196votes (19%). Learn more about the Oconomowoc Area School District at www.oasd.org. After 19 years on the Board, my experience can help with boardsmanship, general knowledge, history and more. Continue to implement our district strategic plan and our athletic strategic plan. It will notbe my last.". The Oconomowoc Area School District is located in Waukesha County in southeastern Wisconsin. Having said that, we are still losing some of our students to other districts and other schools. 5.) I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. Coronavirus: Oconomowoc School Board votes to send kids back to - WISN Oconomowoc, WI 53066. This topic has become far too political, and Ill never predetermine a decision based on politics. In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials. The appointmentrequires re-election. We are in a good place right now and I want to make sure that we continue being financially strong. Most students, however, prefer in-person learning and select that as their choice for a more traditional experience. Were losing some really good people because of the contentiousness, and Im concerned that we may lose some more teachers in the process, or more administrators, that we already know we have a shortage of. 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. The board vice president said the news caught him by surprise as he turns his focus to the future. Schick:Our resilient district has improved our ability to provide virtual learning during the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Elections in 2023 | After considering 29 candidates, interviewing six and then selecting three of those six as finalists, the Oconomowoc School Board has selected the Oconomowoc Area School District's next. There's also high interest in the Oconomowoc School Board, where six candidates are running for four seats. I've pledged not to accept donations from politically aligned special interest groups with pre-determined agendas. Tony Evers' statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. Two challengers have also entered the contest set for a vote April 5. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. 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. 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. James Wood (Wisconsin) - Ballotpedia "For those who voted for my message I say thank you," Schweitzer said. 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. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. 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 . OCONOMOWOC, Wis. Three Oconomowoc Area School Board members have resigned together, citing toxic behavior within the board. They'll be posting those vacancies immediately. Its not a question of which is better;its about innovation to give parents, studentsand teachers a choice. 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. We cannot engage in petty fights that dishonor the office. Counties, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. "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. COVID-related recalls accounted for 37% of all recall efforts in both 2020 and 2021. You have permission to edit this article. That day, I felt a moral obligation to step up to the plate and help stop this insanity in our school communities. Follow him on Twitter at @Evanfrank_LCP. We need to put our students holistic well-being as our top priority, build consensusand move schools forward. . One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. The results are not official until they are canvassed. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. As a mother of two high-schoolers, an educator, and an online course developer in health and wellness, I have been researching programs and interventions used successfully by other districts that we can bring to the OASD to support students who are hurting. The starting point in creating the best school district in the state is through talented teachers, and Im proud to accept the endorsement of the teachers in the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. Anderson:We all hope to get back to life as it was before masks. L- Leadership- You manage things; you lead people. The fact that the restrictions have been now lifted doesnt mean that the havoc caused by the lockdowns will disappear overnight. Believe it or not, that small step over time will also help us become a better district. Here's what we know about how the Oconomowoc Area School District is A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. U.S. President | 3.) One thing that really helps now is the open debate and discussion that happens between board members, without becoming personal or offending other members. 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. Recall supporters said they did not agree with the decision and wanted students to have in-person learning five days a week. 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 . 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. I will fight for this as it will bring a transformative, long-lasting solution in times of crisis. School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. In-person learning includes more than book learning, like social interaction, dedicated learning spaces (not dining room tables)and much more. You have permission to edit this article. 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. [2] [3] Results General election Office Incumbent Term School Board Member-at-Large VACANT 3 years (Begins April 25, 2022) School Board Member-at-Large Neal Ninmann 3 years (Begins April 25, 2022) The district needs to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to learn. Bottom line, we need to increase our market share. A great group of administrators, staff and teachers. Here's who's running for office in Lake Country during this spring's Another thing that is important to me and has been added to all the meetings are a time for discussion from the community. The 2,656 sq. The work to avoid faction-based political infighting starts now. Parents expressed concern, especially for younger students who aren't eligible for the vaccine, and concern over the politics taking place. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. First off, sell MeadowviewSchool. Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. | 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. From left to right: Mike Sereno, Joe Koch and Jeridon Clark. 37214 Delafield Rd, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 | Zillow questioned one parent. "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.". Kim Kaukl, president of the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance, said his member districts mostly opened fully in-person right away last school year largely because limited access to the internet meant virtual learning wasnt feasible. Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 - CBS58 If elected, what are your priorities for the district? Roehl'sseat is also up for election April 5. If we fail to support the best teachers, then we will miss them when they are gone. 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. 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. After results came in, Steitzer released a message on her school boardFacebook page. The property should be listed very soon. Duration: 01:58 8/16/2021. Thankfully, masks are no longer mandatory. "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. Incumbent Jessica Karnowski and newcomers Juliet Steitzer and James Wood defeated incumbents John Suttner and Donald Wiemer. Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. Application Contact Phone. As a board our priorities are driven by our strategic plan and I will continue to support that plan. "The kids and the teachers had been doing a marvelous job throughout the year dealing with the masks," said Grothaus. How to run for office | That mindset is the only way for us to grow as a district to go from good to great. He said what boards are seeing with COVID-19 disputes is similar, but with a key difference. Oconomowoc Area School District Board of - Livestream The board voted 4-3 to choose him over Grothaus, who had served in the role for the year prior. Ballotpedia features 395,577 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. This enrollment out is currently larger than our enrollment in and every time that happens, we have fewer resources to work with. The candidates are:Andrew Anderson,Neal Ninmann (i),Sandy Schick (i),Paula Schmitz,Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). Schmitz:I like to call my priority number one Student Mental Fitness instead of student mental health. 556 likes. For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. Read to your children. The chart below details the status of 2020 recall efforts by individual school board member. Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. Voters in the Oconomowoc, Shorewood and North Lake school districts What a blessing this would be for parents! Six candidates square off for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board 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. To do this we need focus on excellence, celebrate our successes, and create an overall district that people see as the best overall option for their students. 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.". It will take years of rebuilding and recovery as people continue to live in fear. 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. Oconomowoc School Board election results: Virtual learning top issue "Its like, whos the adult here?". "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. Our actions have an impact. She thanked the three resigning members for the service and the wrote, in part, "Public service is a difficult endeavor that has been exacerbated by the current division in society as a whole" and, "While the timing and orchestrating of these resignations have taken away from our work, I am confident in the remaining school board members and their commitment to our students and families.". Six compete for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. 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). 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. The district should focus on advancing these programs to meet the needs of the current times or we will be missing the boat. 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,. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and 'The Culture Became Caustic,' Said One Board Member. 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. Schmitz:I believe in democracy and diversity. Some want masks to be optional in schools, while others don't. School board members resign in protest of COVID-19 handling - WISN OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. 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. This can be integrated with the resources that the district already has in place and enrich them. "If we really start making things contentious, people are going to walk away and go, 'I cant take this anymore,'" he said. From January. Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned. Two of the seven at-large seats on the Oconomowoc Area School District school board were up for general election on April 5, 2016. 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 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. 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. 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. Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? 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. Oconomowoc's school board voted virtually Tuesday night to hold face-to-face classes in the fall with a couple alternatives. powered by finalsite About Us 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. As of this week, the data and our district metrics are trending in the right direction, so barring any major changes to the data, I see a return to a full face-to-face approach on the horizon. Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. He said the remaining board would move forward constructively. The Oconomowoc School Board saw lots of turnover in 2021, as four of its members resigned or left. Local school board races have been injected with partisan money and party . 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. The girl succumbed to social isolation first and bullying and feeling left out through social media next. The community has referenced that a large majority of families elected to start school in a full face-to-face model. "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. There are examples of other districts offering course credit for extra-curriculars and this innovative strategy helps to reduce expenses while also increasing scope and depth of viable opportunities for students. Schweitzer, who was a newcomer to running for school board, said she loved the process of campaigning. Ballotpedia tracked 29 school board recall efforts against 64 board members in 2020. ", RELATED:Two incumbents who favored virtual school lose their seats on the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board. Leadership by the board, in the district, in classroom, by the teachers, and by the students. Footnotes. Incumbents Dave Guckenberger and Steve Zimmer faced challengers Kim Verhein Herro, Jason Kelly and James Wood in a primary election on February 16, 2016. . 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. Student Mental Fitness should be the top priority in the district. From my perspective as a board member, to ensure that we are not putting our students at risk, a soft launch to the school year will provide greater clarity as to the effects of the virus when our students are back in session. View All Calendars is the default. 100% remote. EMAIL. The impact of an amazing teacher is immeasurable, and weve all had teachers in our past that were less than exceptional. All Rights Reserved. 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.". School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. Steitzer was one of three current school board members that the groupOconomowoc Citizens Represented attempted to recall in September. Phillips saw 10 of her members removed in Aprils school board elections, and she said many felt targeted because of their support for phased reopening, virtual options and disease-mitigation strategies. Ballotpedia covered 34 coronavirus-related recall efforts against 93 officials in 2022, accounting for 13% of recalls that year. If the pandemic showed us anything, it is that kids learn the best in the classroom with a teacher. Aug 2006 - Jun 20158 years 11 months. We have developed a thick skin when we hear about another school shooting or a student being bullied, or a student committing suicide. In the past the board was labeled as "toxic"; however, that is no longer the case with the current board. OCONOMOWOC . "I have gotten to know many people in our beautiful Oconomowoc area, and I would not trade this experience for anything. Oconomowoc school board approves plan making face masks - CBS58 Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Oconomowoc School Board member Roehl to step down next week What made you decide to run for the seat and what makes you a good fit for the role? Oconomowoc Area School District recall, Wisconsin (2020) My 19 years of experience demonstrate that I will be a well-prepared and an effective board member. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic.
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