oconomowoc school board oconomowoc school board

Elections in 2023 | I want to see Student Personal Development days on the same days that their teachers have their PD days. One of the main issues for the school board in the near future will be deciding on the district's next superintendent. We hope the time will soon come again when it is possible to work together collaboratively for the good of our community and its children and stop letting the distractions and personal political agendas take us off that course.. Ballotpedia features 395,577 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. U.S. Congress | Rick Grothaus, Dan Raasch, and Kim Herro announced their. I will continue this trend of performance if electedto the board in April. I've pledged not to accept donations from politically aligned special interest groups with pre-determined agendas. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. Whilethere is a place for students who want to do online learning, it is not for all students. | 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. 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. "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. State and local courts | Read to your children. Ballot measures, Who represents me? In August 2020, five of the seven board members voted to start the school year with a combination of virtual and in-person learning. When the board and district make student achievement their top priority, the district and community win. We can always do more and better in supporting studentswellness. 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.". 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. Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. 4.) If you make a promise keep it. 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. Thiel:I have 4 priorities for the district. Currently the district consists of a high school serving students in 9th through 12th grades, two intermediate schools for grades 5th through 8th, and five high-performing, family focused . 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. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. After results came in, Steitzer released a message on her school boardFacebook page. 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. 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. 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. Decisions should be based on collaboration and transparency. 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. Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. Tony Evers statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. When I asked, was this pandemic-related? Parents filled the Oconomowoc School Board meeting. I am running to be elected by the community to continueserving on the board as a trustee of the district. The property should be listed very soon. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. United States. The board vice president said the news caught him by surprise as he turns his focus to the future. Covid mitigation methods are what now-former board members expressed concern about in submitting resignation letters this week. "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. The candidates are:Andrew Anderson,Neal Ninmann (i),Sandy Schick (i),Paula Schmitz,Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). 100% remote. Two challengers have also entered the contest set for a vote April 5. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. The deadline to apply is Sept. 3. We build futures through partnerships, accountability and transparency. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Bill Thiel was appointed in Januaryto Roehl's former seat to finish out the term and will run for the seat this spring. 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. The Pewaukee School Board faces a similar situation, where six candidates will vie. The effort failed after the group did not get enough signatures. Continue to implement our district strategic plan and our athletic strategic plan. As a former VP of a college, I know the debate around in-person versus virtual creates opportunity for innovation. 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. . Two of the seven at-large seats on the Oconomowoc Area School District school board were up for general election on April 5, 2016. 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. However, we need to respect those who choose to still wear a mask. Ballotpedia covered 34 coronavirus-related recall efforts against 93 officials in 2022, accounting for 13% of recalls that year. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. 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. 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. Oconomowoc has been mostly optional since the start of this school year, and we intend to remain that way. You can help too. "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. I was so disappointed that at many of these meetings there was no opportunity for the community to speak. Voters may cast a ballot for up to four of the six candidates. [1], The recall effort began when recall supporters filed paperwork with the school district on September 17, 2020. "The kids and the teachers had been doing a marvelous job throughout the year dealing with the masks," said Grothaus. "For those who did not vote for me I want to thank you for coming out and participating in the process. Six compete for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. The impact of an amazing teacher is immeasurable, and weve all had teachers in our past that were less than exceptional. In May, after Gov. On May 13, attorneys for the Oconomowoc Area School District School Board issued the letter to Alexandra . The Oconomowoc School Board saw lots of turnover in 2021, as four of its members resigned or left. 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.". Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. 'The Culture Became Caustic,' Said One Board Member. Anderson:Im proud and humbled to be endorsed by the teachers of the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. Three Oconomowoc Area School Board members have resigned together, citing toxic behavior within the board. Phone. "We will never know if we did too much, but we will most definitely know if we did too little," said one parent. If elected, what are your priorities for the district? Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. 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. Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? 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. 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. SHARE. I support all programs and initiatives with no favorites. This can be accomplished by using the Strategic Plan. "[1], In reaction to the recall effort, Roehl said he preferred a face-to-face model as well. "Thank you for those who supported my campaign. School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. 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. Thetwo candidates with the highest number of votes will takethree-year terms of office, and the candidates with the third and fourth highest number of votes will take one-year terms. Local school board races have been injected with partisan money and party . Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. I have no personal agenda and will work solely for the community, parents and our students. Board members say the data has changed since they moved to a mask-optional policy as of last month. August 16, 2021, 4:06 PM. 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. Empowering a Community of Learners and Leaders. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. 6 Marquette edges St. John's, Crime Stoppers: Dispute on city bus leads to shooting, CBS 58's Feel Good Friday: Free zoo admission, inflatable animals and more. | (920) 474-4812. 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. I started to become interested in the school board position last year during the recall. It will notbe my last.". 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. Four Oconomowoc School Board incumbents have retained their seats in the April 5 election. She said the reason was to cheer up one of them who had lost a 13-year-old niece to suicide. 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. 2.) Jessica Karnowski for Oconomowoc School Board, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. "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. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . State legislature | 5.) Thiel:I attended meetings before the resignations and after the resignations. "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. "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. We are in a good place right now and I want to make sure that we continue being financially strong. ft. home is a 4 bed, 3.0 bath property. "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?" 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. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. "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. The district should focus on advancing these programs to meet the needs of the current times or we will be missing the boat. 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.. Additionally, we are lacking a significant strategic initiative to address why families who live in our district are actively opting out of keeping their children at our schools. The county seat is Waukesha. The difference is in the approach. "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.". Parents expressed concern, especially for younger students who aren't eligible for the vaccine, and concern over the politics taking place. I led program development initiatives expanding outreach, involvement, and resources for both students and . I am excited to continue the momentum that the board has established. What a concept! 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 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. If you say, 'I don't want to play for a team, I want what is best for the students,' it won't make a difference because your name is going to be slandered if you're not on the right team. "This feels different.". 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 am currently a human resources director for a company in Merton. 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. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and As noted before, in-person learning is critical to student success. 2021-22 OCONOMOWOC AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR (PDF LINK) 2022-2023 oconomowoc area school district website Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc-area news with a subscription: Click here. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials. 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. 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. Student Mental Fitness should be the top priority in the district. We are doing it in many areas already. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. In May, after Gov. Aug 2006 - Jun 20158 years 11 months. In addition, their negligence to ensure that the district provides the best educational opportunities to maximize the achievement of our students will have significant and lasting effects on our community. 6 Marquette edges St. John's, Illinois judge strikes down state's ban on high-powered guns, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' actor, dies at 61, Stocks rally Friday, close out their first winning week in last 4, Five Points Pub closes for renovations, hotel still open, Oconomowoc Area School Board appoints 3 new members after resignations, Crash victim brought light to many around the country, Waukesha business owner sexually assaulted in store, Babes Pizza and Chicken to open next week in Mukwonago, A battle simmers in Illinois over plans to pipe in and store millions of tons of planet-warming carbon dioxide underground. School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. 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. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. From January. Bottom line, we need to increase our market share. Oconomowoc Area School District, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. "It created immediate, aggressive reactions, not only by those two board members, but also a faction of the community that they were aligned with," said Grothaus. Our actions have an impact. Boiling tensions are exacerbated by the structure of school boards themselves, said Dan Rossmiller, director of government relations at the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. SHARE. The district is great with wonderful teachers, curriculum and facilities. I have served this district in many capacities over the last 6 years, both in leadership roles and on subcommittees.. 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. There is an opportunity to advance learning opportunities through improved online platforms that can serve both students and assist parents. Are we using it? View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Schick:When I campaigned in 2002, I had the following beliefs. For more spring 2022 election coverage,click here. 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. 8, North Dakota, El Rancho Unified School District, California, Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No. The girl succumbed to social isolation first and bullying and feeling left out through social media next. Application Contact Phone. 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. . "Polyester masks, they're 37.8 percent efficient. I dont have a medical background, but I do have a background in leveraging subject matter expertise to make tough decisions. [1] The board voted to return all grades to in-person learning starting on September 28, 2020. There is a place for some virtual learning, but I will always work with our district to provide in-person learning whenever possible. Ninmann:I was appointed in September 2021 to fill one of the quitting members' spots. 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) 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. Town of Oconomowoc Police Department. 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. How to run for office | 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. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. Vacating their seats are Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch. Schmitz:As an educator and wellness researcher, I believe there are negative effects to breathing inside a mask. I have also mentored students at the high school in resume writing and interviewing skills and mentored students through Junior Achievement. The board is much more stable now than it was back then. 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. 2023 www.jsonline.com. The candidates are (top row, left to right): Andrew Anderson, Neal Ninmann (i), Sandy . [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. They'll be posting those vacancies immediately. In-person learning includes more than book learning, like social interaction, dedicated learning spaces (not dining room tables)and much more. ", RELATED:Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12. The appointmentrequires re-election. "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. 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. "But where you start off with the entrenched ideological conflict, thats where its just destructive it makes governing impossible.". 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. Schools Details: WebSchool Year Calendar - Oconomowoc Area School District.Quicklinks. 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 results are not official until they are canvassed. "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.". Roehl said the climate surrounding school board meetings has become polarizing amid the pandemic and debates over safety. After 19 years on the Board, my experience can help with boardsmanship, general knowledge, history and more. My focus is clear: As a board member, I am there to represent the families in my district. 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. Our district is equipped for this and should respect and adjust to every students learning style and personal circumstances. 3.) Community members launched a recall effort against three of the board members who voted for hybrid learning, including Herro. All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". What a blessing this would be for parents! The four remaining school board members were in attendance, but no action was taken on one of the items that divided the board -- masks.