2.) This is where all of the OASD Board of Education videos will be posted. Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. Duration: 01:58 8/16/2021. Another thing that is important to me and has been added to all the meetings are a time for discussion from the community. Mar 24, 2022 Updated Mar 24, 2022. The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). Contact info: 920-474-7796;thielw@oasd.org. EMAIL. Whilethere is a place for students who want to do online learning, it is not for all students. Since being on the board we have been able to begin the process of selling the old Meadow View building, we have hired a new superintendent, and increased student growth during the pandemic. A 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. . 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. 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. Steitzer was one of three current school board members that the groupOconomowoc Citizens Represented attempted to recall in September. Follow him on Twitter at @Evanfrank_LCP. 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. "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. Third, we deserve a school board that can operate for more than six months without creating negative headlines. 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. 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. Waukesha County was home to 395,118 residents in 2014, according to the United States Census Bureau. Providing support for the educators of our school district, who continue to do incredible work with our students. If you make a promise keep it. 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. We are in a good place right now and I want to make sure that we continue being financially strong. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. Current board members Ninmann, Schick, Schraufnagel and Thiel, along with challengers Paula Schmitz and Andrew Anderson, are running. I support all programs and initiatives with no favorites. 3.) "Its like, whos the adult here?". Having said that, we are still losing some of our students to other districts and other schools. Therefore, the district must follow the Strategic Plan and will be monitored by the documented metrics. 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. This enrollment out is currently larger than our enrollment in and every time that happens, we have fewer resources to work with. "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.". Neither Raasch nor Grothaus could be included in the recall as they had not yet served on the board for a full year. Its not a question of which is better;its about innovation to give parents, studentsand teachers a choice. 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. He said the remaining board would move forward constructively. Student Mental Fitness should be the top priority in the district. Phone. 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. Now, nearly half the board is vacant, with some major decisions ahead. U.S. Congress | Schraufnagel:If I am elected, I will continue to prioritize the following: 1.) To read about other recall efforts related to the coronavirus and government responses to the pandemic, click here. Mental fitness goes beyond being mentally sane; it includes developing a success mindset that can be applied to any discipline. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . From left to right: Mike Sereno, Joe Koch and Jeridon Clark. "If we really start making things contentious, people are going to walk away and go, 'I cant take this anymore,'" he said. Schweitzer said she ran agrassroots, parent- and taxpayer-focused campaign. When three school board members in Oconomowoc resigned together on Monday, it wasnt solely because of board disputes over COVID-19. supports HTML5 video. COVID-related recalls accounted for 37% of all recall efforts in both 2020 and 2021. The fact that the restrictions have been now lifted doesnt mean that the havoc caused by the lockdowns will disappear overnight. Rick Grothaus, Dan Raasch, and Kim Herro announced their. Since August, the board has seen four resignations in the wake of a reportedly toxic work environment. 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. 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 district needs to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to learn. 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. Ninmann:I was appointed in September 2021 to fill one of the quitting members' spots. The board must focus on strategic alignment driving results and opportunity for students, teachers and parents. I sought a September appointment and received the appointment. (920) 474-4812. The number of signatures needed was equal to 25% of the votes cast within the school district in the 2018 gubernatorial election.[1]. My own kids have spent time in robotics, drama and athletics and I want to help promote the passion of students to the greatest extent possible. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. 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. Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. Schick:I applied for the school board vacancy when the three board members resigned. I will continue this trend of performance if electedto the board in April. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc-area news with a subscription: Click here. powered by finalsite About Us I want to see Student Personal Development days on the same days that their teachers have their PD days. Schweitzer, who was a newcomer to running for school board, said she loved the process of campaigning. Our district is equipped for this and should respect and adjust to every students learning style and personal circumstances. There is a list of health precautions including daily sanitizing of . Incumbents Jessica Karnowski and James Wood received the most votes and will retain their seats. 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. The board is much more stable now than it was back then. Jessica Karnowski for Oconomowoc School Board, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. "We have in the past seen national issues bleed into local government issues, but now were seeing a more sustained effort, and a more explicitly ideologically motivated effort, thats all-encompassing.". For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. Superintendent Roger Rindo is leavingfor the same position in the Reedsburg School District. I was part of that majority. Did you know we were one of the few districts in the state that increased student performance last year during COVID? Oconomowoc High School. ContactInformation: 920-948-7183 (cell), Address:N76 W36096 Saddlebrook Lane, Oconomowoc. Footnotes. 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. We must govern via smart policy and not by current events or pressure from outside influences. Tyler James, who did not actively run during the election, had 989 votes (5%). The Oconomowoc School Board asked the district's administration to begin the RFP process for the property in October 2021 and approved listing the property for sale in December 2021. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. 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. The district is great with wonderful teachers, curriculum and facilities. "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. After the board meeting, the district immediately began receiving dozens of requests for religious exemptions, which Grothaus said completely undermined the teachers authority. 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.. They would be able to go to work that day. The boards job is to focus on getting our students the best education possible and work (as our vision states) to become Unrivaled.. "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.". Schraufnagel:It is important for board members to support the school district as a whole and not get into personal projects. 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. ContactAlec Johnson at(262) 875-9469 oralec.johnson@jrn.com. In the past the board was labeled as "toxic"; however, that is no longer the case with the current board. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. Three candidates remain in the search for a new Oconomowoc School Board Superintendent. "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. Two challengers have also entered the contest set for a vote April 5. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. Three Oconomowoc Area School Board members have resigned together, citing toxic behavior within the board. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. 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. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Sell the old Meadow View to fulfill the promise of the past board. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by challenger Matt Carrico. 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 started to become interested in the school board position last year during the recall. The girl succumbed to social isolation first and bullying and feeling left out through social media next. SHARE. As they say, Keep School REAL. 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. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. If we fail to support the best teachers, then we will miss them when they are gone. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned. "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. [1][2] They were unable to collect enough signatures by the deadline. "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. Members James Wood and Jessica Kornowski voted against the proposal. 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. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. 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. I am excited to continue the momentum that the board has established. 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. Anderson:As a parent of four, the wake of our school board making national news for toxic dysfunction hit hard. The Oconomowoc School Board saw lots of turnover in 2021, as four of its members resigned or left. How to run for office | The 2,656 sq. Anderson:Im proud and humbled to be endorsed by the teachers of the district through the Oconomowoc Education Association. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. The results are not official until they are canvassed. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Most students, however, prefer in-person learning and select that as their choice for a more traditional experience. 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. It will notbe my last.". Voters may cast a ballot for up to four of the six candidates. "The kids and the teachers had been doing a marvelous job throughout the year dealing with the masks," said Grothaus. In May, after Gov. Past board members began to work on personal agendas and that led to a great deal of dysfunction. 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. 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. 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. After results came in, Steitzer released a message on her school boardFacebook page. | We cannot engage in petty fights that dishonor the office. FOX6 News reached out to all three former members but none were available for an interview Monday. The board filled the three vacant seats in Septemberby appointing Neal Ninmann, former board member Sandy Schick and Chad Schraufnagel. We no longer employ consultants to work with the board on how to be board members. 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. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by. 37214 Delafield Rd , Oconomowoc, WI 53066-9101 is a single-family home listed for rent at /mo. Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. Schools Details: WebSchool Year Calendar - Oconomowoc Area School District.Quicklinks. Thiel:I attended meetings before the resignations and after the resignations. 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. SHARE. 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. Ninmann:100% remain optional for in-person learning. 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.". 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. Roehl'sseat is also up for election April 5. I am currently a human resources director for a company in Merton. 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. A student Brookfield East High School wears a mask during class Monday, March 15, 2021, in Brookfield, Wis. Angela Major/WPR. In January, the Oconomowoc School Board agreed to put a two-question facilities referendum on the ballot totaling $75.45 million. Ninmann:I am currently serving as an appointed member of the board since September 2021. Schmitz:As an educator and wellness researcher, I believe there are negative effects to breathing inside a mask. 'The Culture Became Caustic,' Said One Board Member. Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". An effort to recall three of the seven members of the Oconomowoc Area School District school board in Wisconsin did not go to a vote in 2020. What a blessing this would be for parents! Federal courts | Sign up now! Community involvement:I was a stay-at-home father while my kids were in school, and I was very involved at Meadowview, Nature Hilland Oconomowoc High School. As a former VP of a college, I know the debate around in-person versus virtual creates opportunity for innovation. Incumbent Jessica Karnowski and newcomers Juliet Steitzer and James Wood defeated incumbents John Suttner and Donald Wiemer. After considering 29 candidates, interviewing six and then selecting three of those six as finalists, the Oconomowoc School Board has selected the Oconomowoc Area School District's next. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. 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. "[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. After 19 years on the Board, my experience can help with boardsmanship, general knowledge, history and more. The community has referenced that a large majority of families elected to start school in a full face-to-face model. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. One thing that really helps now is the open debate and discussion that happens between board members, without becoming personal or offending other members. "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.". The board has turned a corner and is really moving forward. School districts | In regard to your question on masks. 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. I am running to be elected by the community to continueserving on the board as a trustee of the district. Their answers were limited to 100 words. Ballot measures, Who represents me? [1], Steitzer had not responded to the recall effort as of September 19, 2020. From January. Throughout my life, I have been an active participant in my community. Aug 2006 - Jun 20158 years 11 months. The appointmentrequires re-election. We can have a vigorous discussion, take our voteand all feel good about what we have accomplished. [1] The board voted to return all grades to in-person learning starting on September 28, 2020. I will fight for this as it will bring a transformative, long-lasting solution in times of crisis. I am a strong believer in in-person classroom learning, and that has worked well for myself, my childrenand others for hundreds of years. PRINT+DIGITAL: AS LOW AS $6.50 PER MONTH. What made you decide to run for the seat and what makes you a good fit for the role? 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. 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. ContactEvan Frank at (262) 361-9138or evan.frank@jrn.com. 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. In August 2021, Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch resigned from the board due to what they said was the board's "unwillingness to collaborate in good faith.". "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. One of the main issues for the school board in the near future will be deciding on the district's next superintendent. In conversations with parents, teachers, and members of the community there is consensus that the school board can do better. Contact info: pschmitz06@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/PaulaSchmitzCampaign; 262-490-7048, Address:N56 W35146 Pondview Lane,Oconomowoc, Past political experience:Current board member. We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. 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. Thiel:I have always been involved with the schools as a stay-at-home dad for my three children who all attended the district. Four Oconomowoc School Board incumbents have retained their seats in the April 5 election. Application Contact Phone. Two incumbents and a political newcomer won the three seats up for election on the Oconomowoc Area School Board on April 6. It will be a fantastic! Leadership by the board, in the district, in classroom, by the teachers, and by the students. ", RELATED:Two incumbents who favored virtual school lose their seats on the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board. I want Oconomowoc to be a destination school district for families outside of our boundaries. Now, nearly half the board is . 5.) What a concept! 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. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. L- Leadership- You manage things; you lead people. We can always do more and better in supporting studentswellness. [7] The district was the 30th-largest school district in the state in the 2013-2014 school year and served 5,224 students. "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?" I have no personal agenda and will work solely for the community, parents and our students. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. "This feels different.". Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask.