oconomowoc school board
They would be able to go to work that day. [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. "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. I have also served on both local and national boards of directors. 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. (920) 474-4812. Contact info: pschmitz06@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/PaulaSchmitzCampaign; 262-490-7048, Address:N56 W35146 Pondview Lane,Oconomowoc, Past political experience:Current board member. 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. Oconomowoc, WI 53066. "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. Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). She said: Absolutely! Footnotes. Read full article. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. I have served this district in many capacities over the last 6 years, both in leadership roles and on subcommittees.. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. After the board meeting, the district immediately began receiving dozens of requests for religious exemptions, which Grothaus said completely undermined the teachers authority. "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.". Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. The candidates are (top row, left to right): Andrew Anderson, Neal Ninmann (i), Sandy . Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. "Polyester masks, they're 37.8 percent efficient. 100% remote. Voters may cast a ballot for up to four of the six candidates. Incumbent Jessica Karnowski and newcomers Juliet Steitzer and James Wood defeated incumbents John Suttner and Donald Wiemer. School board members are responsible for providing quality education to all students in the Oconomowoc Area School District; educational opportunities provided by the Oconomowoc Area School District should develop individuals who can lead productive and responsible roles in our community and society; the Oconomowoc Area School District contains a varied population who must be represented regardless of home location (urban and rural), family income, and family heritage; The School Board needs to ensure accountability and financial responsibility; School Board Members need to be open-minded, independent thinkers who are willing to challenge the district to maximize potential; The School Board needs to plan for the future. ", RELATED:Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning. I am currently a human resources director for a company in Merton. That day, I felt a moral obligation to step up to the plate and help stop this insanity in our school communities. Federal courts | 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. Public policy. A statement from Interim Superintendent Kristen Taylor also focused on the future. Steitzer was one of three current school board members that the groupOconomowoc Citizens Represented attempted to recall in September. "[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. School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. A great group of administrators, staff and teachers. If we fail to support the best teachers, then we will miss them when they are gone. A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. As they say, Keep School REAL. I have also mentored students at the high school in resume writing and interviewing skills and mentored students through Junior Achievement. OCONOMOWOC . Oconomowoc's school board voted virtually Tuesday night to hold face-to-face classes in the fall with a couple alternatives. We are in a good place right now and I want to make sure that we continue being financially strong. Thiel:I attended meetings before the resignations and after the resignations. 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. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. 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.". DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and 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. 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. 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. My 19 years of experience demonstrate that I will be a well-prepared and an effective board member. If elected, what are your priorities for the district? I've pledged not to accept donations from politically aligned special interest groups with pre-determined agendas. Members James Wood and Jessica Kornowski voted against the proposal. [5], Steitzer's term on the board expired in April 2021, and Herro's and Roehl's terms expired in April 2022.[1]. Counties | supports HTML5 video. 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. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. I have been an educator for 21 years, the last 16 of them as an administrator, I felt this background would be a benefit to the board and school district. 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. All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. "Its like, whos the adult here?". Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. "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?" In-person learning includes more than book learning, like social interaction, dedicated learning spaces (not dining room tables)and much more. Oconomowoc has had an optional mask policy since the start of the 2021-2022 school year. How to run for office | Their answers were limited to 100 words. This can be accomplished by using the Strategic Plan. 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. 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. 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. The Oconomowoc Area School District is located in Waukesha County in southeastern Wisconsin. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. "Well, my initial reaction was definitely surprise," said Scott Roehl, board VP. Schraufnagel:Since the appointment of myself and the threeother new board members, our meetings are focused on improving the school district. 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. "Weve got some young people, students who have gotten up and spoken in front of the board on the importance of being in school face-to-face, and then you have adults who are bullying them and cheering them," he said. I was part of that majority. Incumbents Dave Guckenberger and Steve Zimmer faced challengers Kim Verhein Herro, Jason Kelly and James Wood in a primary election on February 16, 2016. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. powered by finalsite About Us "This feels different.". I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. some parents who are worried their kids will get sick, clear guidance from state and federal agencies, Children face cognitive delays during pandemic, Arts organizations see signs of recovery, A Milwaukee school is training students to help their peers who are dealing with suicidal thoughts, Why some schools are seeing more fights since returning in-person, Wisconsin districts face backlash over plans to teach gender identity to elementary students, 3 transgender women have been killed in Milwaukee in the last 9 months, Lawyer who oversaw Trump elector scheme in Wisconsin reappointed to judicial advisory panel, Court orders Green Bay to stop using audio devices while lawsuit plays out, UW System President Jay Rothman to seek in-state tuition increase, Capital budget would offload 4 state office buildings, Wisconsin natives aged gouda is 'best cheese' in America, contest says, Landowners sue Lac du Flambeau tribal leaders to reopen roads blocked for a month, Buyer steps up to save Camp Timber-lee in East Troy, Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. [7] The district was the 30th-largest school district in the state in the 2013-2014 school year and served 5,224 students. We can always do more and better in supporting studentswellness. The boards job is to focus on getting our students the best education possible and work (as our vision states) to become Unrivaled.. The board did take a vote on replacing the three board members who left. What a blessing this would be for parents! This can be integrated with the resources that the district already has in place and enrich them. Oconomowoc Area School District, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. The Pewaukee School Board faces a similar situation, where six candidates will vie. 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. Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". From January. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by. Current board members Ninmann, Schick, Schraufnagel and Thiel, along with challengers Paula Schmitz and Andrew Anderson, are running. We need to bring this same level of excellence to the areas that still need improvement to get us there. 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. ContactEvan Frank at (262) 361-9138or evan.frank@jrn.com. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . Tony Evers statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. This enrollment out is currently larger than our enrollment in and every time that happens, we have fewer resources to work with. Schraufnagel:It is important for board members to support the school district as a whole and not get into personal projects. As I stated on the previous question our priorities are financial stability, increasing open enrollment into the district, focusing on the strategic plans, supporting administration and teachers, and selling the old Meadow View. 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. "We will never know if we did too much, but we will most definitely know if we did too little," said one parent. 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. State executives | I dont have a medical background, but I do have a background in leveraging subject matter expertise to make tough decisions. Ballot measures, Who represents me? To read about other recall efforts related to the coronavirus and government responses to the pandemic, click here. Delavan - Darien School District's DD Tech Administrator and CTE Coordinator, Michael Rick, discusses educational opportunities. 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. Bottom line, we need to increase our market share. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. She said she wished the district had utilized its outdoor space in order to allow all students to return to in-person learning full-time. The current make of the board has moved past the previous issues and is focused on policyand governance and supporting the work of the administration and teachers. 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. I am a strong believer in in-person classroom learning, and that has worked well for myself, my childrenand others for hundreds of years. 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 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.
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