School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. 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. 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. 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. Superintendent Roger Rindo is leavingfor the same position in the Reedsburg School District. 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. 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. 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. On May 13, attorneys for the Oconomowoc Area School District School Board issued the letter to Alexandra . [5], Steitzer's term on the board expired in April 2021, and Herro's and Roehl's terms expired in April 2022.[1]. I want Oconomowoc to be a destination school district for families outside of our boundaries. If we fail to support the best teachers, then we will miss them when they are gone. Six compete for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. In the past the board was labeled as "toxic"; however, that is no longer the case with the current board. As a board our priorities are driven by our strategic plan and I will continue to support that plan. If the pandemic showed us anything, it is that kids learn the best in the classroom with a teacher. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by. Our actions have an impact. Wood said the current HVAC system at Oconomowoc High School is from the 1960s and not up to today's . [2] [3] Results General election We no longer employ consultants to work with the board on how to be board members. Therefore, the district must follow the Strategic Plan and will be monitored by the documented metrics. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. 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. There is a list of health precautions including daily sanitizing of . I have also mentored students at the high school in resume writing and interviewing skills and mentored students through Junior Achievement. Schraufnagel:Masks should remain optional. 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. "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.". Schools Details: WebSchool Year Calendar - Oconomowoc Area School District.Quicklinks. One of them was Juliet Steitzer, whose loss in Oconomowoc tipped the balance of power, setting the stage for the later resignations. This is my first attempt at elective politics. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. [1] The board voted to return all grades to in-person learning starting on September 28, 2020. We are doing it in many areas already. 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. My focus is clear: As a board member, I am there to represent the families in my district. 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. 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. My heart sunk. When the board and district make student achievement their top priority, the district and community win. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. One of our top priorities will be to review and respond to enrollment fluctuations by continuously focusing on investing in our teachers, buildings and curriculum both financially and through policy updates that give autonomy to district leadership. Current board members Ninmann, Schick, Schraufnagel and Thiel, along with challengers Paula Schmitz and Andrew Anderson, are running. "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.". We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. 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. 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. I have also served on both local and national boards of directors. Believe it or not, that small step over time will also help us become a better district. It will be a fantastic! "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. EMAIL. U.S. President | The candidates are:Andrew Anderson,Neal Ninmann (i),Sandy Schick (i),Paula Schmitz,Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). 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. 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. The starting point in creating the best school district in the state is through talented teachers, and Im proud to accept the endorsement of the teachers in the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. If you make a promise keep it. Alexandra Schweitzer garnered 3,200 votes and was followed by Steitzer with 3,010. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. Some want masks to be optional in schools, while others don't. The district has a focus on developing learners and leaders and the board has a responsibility to support that focus with policy and financial stewardship. Ninmann:I was appointed in September 2021 to fill one of the quitting members' spots. The district should focus on advancing these programs to meet the needs of the current times or we will be missing the boat. I will fight for this as it will bring a transformative, long-lasting solution in times of crisis. 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. powered by finalsite About Us What a blessing this would be for parents! Place An Ad - Call 262-306-5000/email: Conleyclass@conleynet.com, Three Oconomowoc School Board members resign, cite toxic board behavior, Cite hyper political, partisan culture as reason for stepping down, Submit an Obituary Wash. & Oz. The property should be listed very soon. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. "Its not a specific group thats necessarily capturing the board, but its the ideological conflict itself thats capturing the board," he said. We can have a vigorous discussion, take our voteand all feel good about what we have accomplished. (920) 474-4812. SHARE. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. Schraufnagel:It is important for board members to support the school district as a whole and not get into personal projects. My main reason for applying was to bring stability and history to the table. 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. Another thing that is important to me and has been added to all the meetings are a time for discussion from the community. Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. In Oconomowoc, three members of the school board resigned, citing its "toxic" environment. My viewpoints remain the same. We can always do more and better in supporting studentswellness. 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. After the fourth member left, I decided to run for election in April. We are in a good place right now and I want to make sure that we continue being financially strong. Federal courts | Contact info: 920-474-7796;thielw@oasd.org. questioned one parent. Ballotpedia covered 34 coronavirus-related recall efforts against 93 officials in 2022, accounting for 13% of recalls that year. I am a strong believer in in-person classroom learning, and that has worked well for myself, my childrenand others for hundreds of years. Oconomowoc was one of the only schools to raise student scores during the pandemic. Since August, the board has seen four resignations in the wake of a reportedly toxic work environment. Oconomowoc's school board voted virtually Tuesday night to hold face-to-face classes in the fall with a couple alternatives. Ballotpedia tracked 29 school board recall efforts against 64 board members in 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. Contact info: pschmitz06@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/PaulaSchmitzCampaign; 262-490-7048, Address:N56 W35146 Pondview Lane,Oconomowoc, Past political experience:Current board member. 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. [1], Steitzer had not responded to the recall effort as of September 19, 2020. 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. Sandy Schick (i); (bottom row, left to right). E- Excellence- Excellence in everything we do. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. This enrollment out is currently larger than our enrollment in and every time that happens, we have fewer resources to work with. The school board recall success rate was 7.8%. "I think a lot of members of the public dont understand that.". A- Accountability- Do what you say you are going to do. Tony Evers statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. 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. 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.". I support all programs and initiatives with no favorites. One of the main issues for the school board in the near future will be deciding on the district's next superintendent. Learn more about the Oconomowoc Area School District at www.oasd.org. Bill Thiel was appointed in Januaryto Roehl's former seat to finish out the term and will run for the seat this spring. 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. Thiel:I attended meetings before the resignations and after the resignations. W359N6812 Brown Street. "I would just like to thank them for their service to the Oconomowoc Area School District," said board member Scott Roehl. "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. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. "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. That day, I felt a moral obligation to step up to the plate and help stop this insanity in our school communities. FOX6 News reached out to all three former members but none were available for an interview Monday. The Pewaukee School Board faces a similar situation, where six candidates will vie. Follow him on Twitter at @Evanfrank_LCP. 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. TWEET. "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. 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. In May, after Gov. You can help too. The work to avoid faction-based political infighting starts now. 37214 Delafield Rd , Oconomowoc, WI 53066-9101 is a single-family home listed for rent at /mo. The Oconomowoc School Board saw lots of turnover in 2021, as four of its members resigned or left. 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. The county seat is Waukesha. Most students perform better when learning in person. However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. Anderson:We all hope to get back to life as it was before masks. A great group of administrators, staff and teachers. The board must focus on strategic alignment driving results and opportunity for students, teachers and parents. 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. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. More: Candidates for Oconomowoc mayor share views on growing inflation, infrastructure and public safety. In January, the Oconomowoc School Board agreed to put a two-question facilities referendum on the ballot totaling $75.45 million. "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. Bill Thiel received the most votes with 5,311 (22%), Neal Ninmann was second with 4,989 votes (20%),. U.S. Congress | 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. In a democratic society, we will agree and disagree on different matters, and that is healthy;variety of perspectives enriches the board. "Well, my initial reaction was definitely surprise," said Scott Roehl, board VP. [1], The decision included an in-person learning model for elementary school students and a split-attendance model for middle school and high school students. [1], The recall effort began when recall supporters filed paperwork with the school district on September 17, 2020. Thiel:I have 4 priorities for the district. DIGITAL ONLY: JUST $5 PER MONTH Two challengers have also entered the contest set for a vote April 5. "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. Ford said theres also been a blurring between the district administrations role and the role of school board members. 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. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. ", RELATED:Two incumbents who favored virtual school lose their seats on the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board. Three of the seven seats on the Oconomowoc Area School District school board in Wisconsin were up for at-large general election on April 3, 2018. Incumbent Jessica Karnowski and newcomers Juliet Steitzer and James Wood defeated incumbents John Suttner and Donald Wiemer. Schraufnagel:Since the appointment of myself and the threeother new board members, our meetings are focused on improving the school district. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. There is a place for some virtual learning, but I will always work with our district to provide in-person learning whenever possible. The board has turned a corner and is really moving forward. "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. Vacating their seats are Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch. 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. Duration: 01:58 8/16/2021. 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. Leadership by the board, in the district, in classroom, by the teachers, and by the students. Delavan - Darien School District's DD Tech Administrator and CTE Coordinator, Michael Rick, discusses educational opportunities. Incumbents Jessica Karnowski and James Wood received the most votes and will retain their seats. Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). 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. This can be integrated with the resources that the district already has in place and enrich them. Apply today! One thing that really helps now is the open debate and discussion that happens between board members, without becoming personal or offending other members. Community members launched a recall effort against three of the board members who voted for hybrid learning, including Herro. Three-layer cotton masks, 26.5 percent efficient," another parent said. Local school board races have been injected with partisan money and party . I believe strongly that serving as a representative of the community is a primary focus for a school board member and is the reason I am a good fit for the position. Schick:I applied for the school board vacancy when the three board members resigned. Elections in 2023 | Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. She said the reason was to cheer up one of them who had lost a 13-year-old niece to suicide. 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.