oconomowoc school board oconomowoc school board

View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. 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. The board has turned a corner and is really moving forward. 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. 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. 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. The chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. 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) 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. 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. 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.". Oconomowoc Area School District: School Year Calendar. I have served this district in many capacities over the last 6 years, both in leadership roles and on subcommittees.. In May, after Gov. Sign up now! If we fail to support the best teachers, then we will miss them when they are gone. [2] [3] Results General election That mindset is the only way for us to grow as a district to go from good to great. OCONOMOWOC . 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. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and I will continue to work with the community and administration to keep our schools open for in-person learning. Members James Wood and Jessica Kornowski voted against the proposal. If elected, what are your priorities for the district? 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. And if not, well, then this is the board the community wants.". 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. W359N6812 Brown Street. There is a place for some virtual learning, but I will always work with our district to provide in-person learning whenever possible. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Dozens of Oconomowoc area school district parents are getting heated on the issue of face masks. There's also high interest in the Oconomowoc School Board, where six candidates are running for four seats. Empowering a Community of Learners and Leaders, [email protected] Expires: April 2024, [email protected] Expires: April 2024, [email protected] Expires: April 2024, [email protected] Expires: April 2023, [email protected] Expires: April 2025, [email protected] Expires: April 2023, [email protected] Expires: April 2025, Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. [1], The recall effort began when recall supporters filed paperwork with the school district on September 17, 2020. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. Now, nearly half the board is . 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. We need to be smart with our tax dollars and do more with less. 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. Application Contact Agency. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. [1], Steitzer had not responded to the recall effort as of September 19, 2020. Sell the old Meadow View to fulfill the promise of the past board. "[1], In reaction to the recall effort, Roehl said he preferred a face-to-face model as well. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach. Some want masks to be optional in schools, while others don't. Incumbent Jessica Karnowski and newcomers Juliet Steitzer and James Wood defeated incumbents John Suttner and Donald Wiemer. TWEET. Delavan - Darien School District's DD Tech Administrator and CTE Coordinator, Michael Rick, discusses educational opportunities. U.S. Congress | Vacating their seats are Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch. We can have a vigorous discussion, take our voteand all feel good about what we have accomplished. "For those who did not vote for me I want to thank you for coming out and participating in the process. "Well, my initial reaction was definitely surprise," said Scott Roehl, board VP. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. Duration: 01:58 8/16/2021. Community involvement:I was a stay-at-home father while my kids were in school, and I was very involved at Meadowview, Nature Hilland Oconomowoc High School. In regard to your question on masks. "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. 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. Application Contact Address. Schick:When I campaigned in 2002, I had the following beliefs. 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 schools to hold 4 more meetings on referendum, Ocon Four bring it on, off mat in Madison. On May 13, attorneys for the Oconomowoc Area School District School Board issued the letter to Alexandra . If the pandemic showed us anything, it is that kids learn the best in the classroom with a teacher. COVID-19, though, lit a match under the existing tensions and "consumed everything," said Grothaus. The Oconomowoc Area School District is located in Waukesha County in southeastern Wisconsin. "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. "He's not vaccinated and your decision not to require masks is going to mean that he's not going to be able to attend in-person school this fall," said parent Scott Drummond. 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. In total, there are four seats up for election this year, and six candidates running. 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. Town of Oconomowoc Police Department. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by. [7] The district was the 30th-largest school district in the state in the 2013-2014 school year and served 5,224 students. Parents filled the Oconomowoc School Board meeting. In January, the Oconomowoc School Board agreed to put a two-question facilities referendum on the ballot totaling $75.45 million. 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. ", RELATED:Two incumbents who favored virtual school lose their seats on the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board. We need to put our students holistic well-being as our top priority, build consensusand move schools forward. How to run for office | Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl were joined in approving the proposal by members Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus. 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. Bill Thiel was appointed in Januaryto Roehl's former seat to finish out the term and will run for the seat this spring. I am excited to continue the momentum that the board has established. As noted before, in-person learning is critical to student success. The effort failed after the group did not get enough signatures. This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. As a former VP of a college, I know the debate around in-person versus virtual creates opportunity for innovation. EMAIL. School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. 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. A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. 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 We can always do more and better in supporting studentswellness. "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?" Voters may cast a ballot for up to four of the six candidates. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Schraufnagel:If I am elected, I will continue to prioritize the following: 1.) As they say, Keep School REAL. Roehl'sseat is also up for election April 5. Counties, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. 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. 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. 5.) Students can grow and develop these mindful skills in a fun-filled environment that departs from the classroom and uses a common space like the cafeteria, the gym, and/or some outdoor space on campus or in the community. Bill Thiel received the most votes with 5,311 (22%), Neal Ninmann was second with 4,989 votes (20%),. Oconomowoc High School. 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. 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. 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.". Decisions should be based on collaboration and transparency. powered by finalsite About Us 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. Schmitz:Based on the priorities I outlined in my previous answer, I am developing a proposal, a comprehensive plan that includes creative and innovative programs, initiatives and strategies to meet the needs of our students after the pandemic. From January. For more spring 2022 election coverage,click here. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. 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. "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. | questioned one parent. Hopefully our community will rise up and demand to hire a quality superintendent who can provide enough positive leadership to overcome the current state of leadership for the district, the letter states. 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. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. You have permission to edit this article. Read to your children. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. Believe it or not, that small step over time will also help us become a better district. 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. Schmitz:I like to call my priority number one Student Mental Fitness instead of student mental health. We need to bring this same level of excellence to the areas that still need improvement to get us there. Counties | Application Contact Phone. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. She said: Absolutely! !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? Read full article. ft. home is a 4 bed, 3.0 bath property. It will be a fantastic! 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. "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.". "I would just like to thank them for their service to the Oconomowoc Area School District," said board member Scott Roehl. Rick Grothaus, Dan Raasch, and Kim Herro announced their. State legislature | The Pewaukee School Board faces a similar situation, where six candidates will vie. ContactInformation: 920-948-7183 (cell), Address:N76 W36096 Saddlebrook Lane, Oconomowoc. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by challenger Matt Carrico. 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. Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. Ballotpedia tracked 29 school board recall efforts against 64 board members in 2020. My main reason for applying was to bring stability and history to the table. Parents expressed concern, especially for younger students who aren't eligible for the vaccine, and concern over the politics taking place. 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. 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. After 19 years on the Board, my experience can help with boardsmanship, general knowledge, history and more. 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. U.S. President | One of the main issues for the school board in the near future will be deciding on the district's next superintendent. Keep updated on the latest news and information. "They were shooting for her, there was a bullseye on her back," said Herro. 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. 2021-22 OCONOMOWOC AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR (PDF LINK) 2022-2023 oconomowoc area school district website 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Waukesha County was home to 395,118 residents in 2014, according to the United States Census Bureau. The chart below details the status of 2020 recall efforts by individual school board member. I was so disappointed that at many of these meetings there was no opportunity for the community to speak. My 19 years of experience demonstrate that I will be a well-prepared and an effective board member. 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. Tony Evers statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. 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 county seat is Waukesha. Oconomowoc Area School District, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. The board voted 4-3 to choose him over Grothaus, who had served in the role for the year prior. We have developed a thick skin when we hear about another school shooting or a student being bullied, or a student committing suicide. Agendas for all regular board meetings, committee meetings, and special meetings are also available on the same site. My viewpoints remain the same. Despite the mass resignation, the letter states the members believes there is enough insulation between the Board and the classroom that teachers can still do good work for kids. 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. 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. 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.. August 16, 2021, 4:06 PM. Schraufnagel:Since the appointment of myself and the threeother new board members, our meetings are focused on improving the school district. I've pledged not to accept donations from politically aligned special interest groups with pre-determined agendas. R- Realistic Spending- Dont spend what you dont have. 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. Whilethere is a place for students who want to do online learning, it is not for all students. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. Are we using it? 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. 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. Ensuring that we are financially viable into the future. I started to become interested in the school board position last year during the recall. The difference is in the approach. The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. 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. Four recall elections were held in 2020. The deadline to apply is Sept. 3. 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 also attended many school board meetings regarding masking and in-person classes. . 'The Culture Became Caustic,' Said One Board Member. Public policy. Phone. Jessica Karnowski for Oconomowoc School Board, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. I will continue this trend of performance if electedto the board in April. Mar 24, 2022 Updated Mar 24, 2022. "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. OCONOMOWOC The Oconomowoc Area School District School Board has four incumbents seeking reelection. All three are up for election April 5. How to vote | State executives | There is an opportunity to advance learning opportunities through improved online platforms that can serve both students and assist parents. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. In May, after Gov. 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. 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. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. So it's important to look at vaccination rates and where new cases are popping up. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. Ballot measures, Who represents me? Six compete for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. 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. 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. 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 . There is a list of health precautions including daily sanitizing of . Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. All rights reserved. "When Juliet lost her seat, then we lost the majority, and once we lost the majority, the culture became caustic.". 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. Three-layer cotton masks, 26.5 percent efficient," another parent said. It will take years of rebuilding and recovery as people continue to live in fear. 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. Follow him on Twitter at @Evanfrank_LCP. I have also served on both local and national boards of directors. My focus is clear: As a board member, I am there to represent the families in my district. Most students perform better when learning in person. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. "But where you start off with the entrenched ideological conflict, thats where its just destructive it makes governing impossible.".