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 . I will continue to work with the community and administration to keep our schools open for in-person learning. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by. Steitzer became a board member in 2018 and said this year's election became overwhelmingly partisan. Grothaus and Raasch both had about a year and a half left in their terms which expired in April 2023. After 19 years on the Board, my experience can help with boardsmanship, general knowledge, history and more. Thiel:I have always been involved with the schools as a stay-at-home dad for my three children who all attended the district. ft. home is a 4 bed, 3.0 bath property. 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. "We will never know if we did too much, but we will most definitely know if we did too little," said one parent. Since August, the board has seen four resignations in the wake of a reportedly toxic work environment. Covid mitigation methods are what now-former board members expressed concern about in submitting resignation letters this week. The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. I dont have a medical background, but I do have a background in leveraging subject matter expertise to make tough decisions. Bottom line, we need to increase our market share. Keep updated on the latest news and information. 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.. August 16, 2021, 4:06 PM. So it's important to look at vaccination rates and where new cases are popping up. "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. 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. "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. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. What made you decide to run for the seat and what makes you a good fit for the role? 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. 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. "Spending time in the community I love has been an experience I will never forget," Schweitzer said. 5.) Schweitzer, who was a newcomer to running for school board, said she loved the process of campaigning. This is where all of the OASD Board of Education videos will be posted. "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.". In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials. "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. I will fight for this as it will bring a transformative, long-lasting solution in times of crisis. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc-area news with a subscription: Click here. Roehl said the climate surrounding school board meetings has become polarizing amid the pandemic and debates over safety. 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. Whilethere is a place for students who want to do online learning, it is not for all students. He said what boards are seeing with COVID-19 disputes is similar, but with a key difference. Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? The Oconomowoc School Board saw lots of turnover in 2021, as four of its members resigned or left. More: Candidates for Oconomowoc mayor share views on growing inflation, infrastructure and public safety. 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. The candidates are:Andrew Anderson,Neal Ninmann (i),Sandy Schick (i),Paula Schmitz,Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). supports HTML5 video. As a former VP of a college, I know the debate around in-person versus virtual creates opportunity for innovation. In January, the Oconomowoc School Board agreed to put a two-question facilities referendum on the ballot totaling $75.45 million. 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. "They were shooting for her, there was a bullseye on her back," said Herro. There is an opportunity to advance learning opportunities through improved online platforms that can serve both students and assist parents. Decisions should be based on collaboration and transparency. "If we really start making things contentious, people are going to walk away and go, 'I cant take this anymore,'" he said. We cannot engage in petty fights that dishonor the office. Herro was in the last year of her term, which expired April 2022. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. The chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The recall effort was started by the group Oconomowoc Citizens Represented, who said Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl "willfully neglected to act on behalf of the citizens of the district. . Thankfully, masks are no longer mandatory. Federal courts | 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. Members James Wood and Jessica Kornowski voted against the proposal. Wood had the most votes with 5,279 (24%), followed by Karnowski's 5,010 votes (23%) and Carrico's 4,196votes (19%). I sought a September appointment and received the appointment. All three are up for election April 5. 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). 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. My main reason for applying was to bring stability and history to the table. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. 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. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. 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. 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. Mental fitness goes beyond being mentally sane; it includes developing a success mindset that can be applied to any discipline. 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. 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. Our actions have an impact. ", RELATED:Two incumbents who favored virtual school lose their seats on the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board. She said: Absolutely! 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. ", RELATED:Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning. 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. Oconomowoc Area School District: School Year Calendar. "They can make no one happy.". Anderson:As a parent of four, the wake of our school board making national news for toxic dysfunction hit hard. "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. For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. 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. 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. Schick:It is the vision of the Oconomowoc Area School District to become an unrivaled learning community, seeking wisdom, honoring the past, and shaping the future. This is the districts vision and should be our guiding light. The property should be listed very soon. 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. Read full article. I will continue this trend of performance if electedto the board in April. Schick:Our resilient district has improved our ability to provide virtual learning during the challenges of the COVID pandemic. 2023 www.jsonline.com. When three school board members in Oconomowoc resigned together on Monday, it wasnt solely because of board disputes over COVID-19. State and local courts | Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. 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. Are we using it? Sell the old Meadow View to fulfill the promise of the past board. Town of Oconomowoc Police Department. 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. Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. 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. 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. Both in-person and virtual schooling should be available as a choice for families to accommodate students needs and those of their loved ones. This can be accomplished by using the Strategic Plan. 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. 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. We build futures through partnerships, accountability and transparency. "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. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Incumbents Dave Guckenberger and Steve Zimmer faced challengers Kim Verhein Herro, Jason Kelly and James Wood in a primary election on February 16, 2016. To read about other recall efforts related to the coronavirus and government responses to the pandemic, click here. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by challenger Matt Carrico. 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 . One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. My viewpoints remain the same. Feb 10, 2022 Updated Jun 3, 2022. Phone. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. TWEET. 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. In total, there are four seats up for election this year, and six candidates running. I am a strong believer in in-person classroom learning, and that has worked well for myself, my childrenand others for hundreds of years. 8, North Dakota, El Rancho Unified School District, California, Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No. And my third priority is Student Global Impact. If we are forming students at OHS to be grounded, responsible and accountable, that should focus primarily on how their actions are impacting others around them at home, at school, in the community and around the world. 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.. The board is much more stable now than it was back then. My heart sunk. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. Ninmann:I am currently serving as an appointed member of the board since September 2021. 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. Application Contact Phone. We need to put our students holistic well-being as our top priority, build consensusand move schools forward. "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. They would be able to go to work that day. A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. The difference is in the approach. Parents expressed concern, especially for younger students who aren't eligible for the vaccine, and concern over the politics taking place. 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. However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. Recall supporters said they did not agree with the decision and wanted students to have in-person learning five days a week. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. I want to see Student Personal Development days on the same days that their teachers have their PD days. 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. I was part of that majority. 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. Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. 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. Having said that, we are still losing some of our students to other districts and other schools. "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.". The Pewaukee School Board faces a similar situation, where six candidates will vie. 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. The district should focus on advancing these programs to meet the needs of the current times or we will be missing the boat. All Rights Reserved. Schraufnagel:It is important for board members to support the school district as a whole and not get into personal projects. School districts | Alexandra Schweitzer garnered 3,200 votes and was followed by Steitzer with 3,010. . The candidates are (top row, left to right): Andrew Anderson, Neal Ninmann (i), Sandy . (920) 474-4812. I have also served on both local and national boards of directors. "Anytime you try to make a change we went to block scheduling, we might have done a little grading change your boardroom fills," said Phillips. | [1][2] They were unable to collect enough signatures by the deadline. Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. I was so disappointed that at many of these meetings there was no opportunity for the community to speak. [1] The board voted to return all grades to in-person learning starting on September 28, 2020. "I would just like to thank them for their service to the Oconomowoc Area School District," said board member Scott Roehl. 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. In conversations with parents, teachers, and members of the community there is consensus that the school board can do better. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. The board must focus on strategic alignment driving results and opportunity for students, teachers and parents. "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. What programs or initiatives are most important to you? If elected, what are your priorities for the district? "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. Schmitz:As an educator and wellness researcher, I believe there are negative effects to breathing inside a mask. 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. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. Three Oconomowoc Area School Board members have resigned together, citing toxic behavior within the board. Board members say the data has changed since they moved to a mask-optional policy as of last month. "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. Application Contact Address. You have permission to edit this article. 4.) This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Community involvement: Volunteered at the local parish church, lobbied for street resurfacing and got it done in our neighborhood of Oconomowoc Heights, which was prone to flooding. We no longer employ consultants to work with the board on how to be board members. 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. 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. Oconomowoc, WI 53066. "The kids and the teachers had been doing a marvelous job throughout the year dealing with the masks," said Grothaus. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Camp Timber-lee: Delavan businessman to buy, keep site open, Racine drunk driver killed pregnant friend: complaint, Mysterious lights in southeast Wisconsin sky; here's what they were, Alderman Bauman regrets his decision on downtown metered parking, Oak Creek car thefts; gas station customers targeted, police say, Delavan-Darien School Districts Pathways to Success. School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. Empowering a Community of Learners and Leaders, 262-560-2101WoodJ@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2024, 262-560-2101KarnowskiJ@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2024, 262-560-2101CarricoM@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2024, 262-560-2101SchickS@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2023, 262-560-2101NinmannN@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2025, 262-560-2101SchraufnagelC@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2023, 262-560-2101ThielW@oasd.orgTerm Expires: April 2025, Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries.