NOW: Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 members NEXT: OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Oconomowoc Area School District Board met Wednesday night, Aug. 18,. Ninmann:I am currently serving as an appointed member of the board since September 2021. PRINT+DIGITAL: AS LOW AS $6.50 PER MONTH. We dont believe that people want our community to be characterized by the divisive, bullying, selfish, partisan tactics that seem to be so prevalent today. The board vice president said the news caught him by surprise as he turns his focus to the future. Throughout my life, I have been an active participant in my community. ContactEvan Frank at (262) 361-9138or evan.frank@jrn.com. I have also served on both local and national boards of directors. Ballotpedia features 395,577 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Black Mental Health Professionals panel discusses representation Technicians of Tomorrow competition showcases high schoolers MATC apologizes for sparking frustration after announcing major Plans to extend Milwaukees downtown metered parking to 9pm Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 members, Three Oconomowoc School Board members resign as board 'dragged into partisan culture wars', Medical Examiner called to fatal shooting near 84th and Bender, Multiple families displaced after fire breaks out in West Allis apartment building, Cars removed from third level of partially collapsed Bayshore Mall parking structure, Long Covid is associated with significantly increased risk of death, heart and lung problems, study finds, Yao Ming caught in the cross-fire as Chinese basketball team leaves top league on eve of Covid reopening, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. The letter states that the three members are also concerned about how Interim Superintendent Kristen Taylor and remaining board members are responding to the pandemic. The property should be listed very soon. 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. OCONOMOWOC . 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. She said the reason was to cheer up one of them who had lost a 13-year-old niece to suicide. COVID-19, though, lit a match under the existing tensions and "consumed everything," said Grothaus. General mask wearing should be a family choice based on their understanding of masks and should not be monitored by staff unless under protocol since this takes time from their main task of educating. 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. "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. When the board and district make student achievement their top priority, the district and community win. 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 candidates are:Andrew Anderson,Neal Ninmann (i),Sandy Schick (i),Paula Schmitz,Chad E. Schraufnagel (i) andBill Thiel (i). "They were shooting for her, there was a bullseye on her back," said Herro. 100% remote. Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. If you make a promise keep it. Keep updated on the latest news and information. 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. When I asked, was this pandemic-related? "I would just like to thank them for their service to the Oconomowoc Area School District," said board member Scott Roehl. Feb 10, 2022 Updated Jun 3, 2022. 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. Schick:I wanted to provide experience and leadership in the hiring of the new superintendent, selling of the old Meadow View School site, and general district operations. What made you decide to run for the seat and what makes you a good fit for the role? Schraufnagel:It is important for board members to support the school district as a whole and not get into personal projects. The board did take a vote on replacing the three board members who left. Believe it or not, that small step over time will also help us become a better district. The Oconomowoc Area School District is located in Waukesha County in southeastern Wisconsin. The district should focus on advancing these programs to meet the needs of the current times or we will be missing the boat. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. "This feels different.". 4.) "For those who did not vote for me I want to thank you for coming out and participating in the process. "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. Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. With the requirements to give ample notice before bringing up issues, only being able to vote on items listed in their agenda, and meetings that typically occur only once a month, theyre hamstrung from acting quickly which could get frustrating when the understanding of COVID-19, and the disease itself, was rapidly evolving. Coronavirus: Oconomowoc School Board votes to send kids back to - WISN Board members say the data has changed since they moved to a mask-optional policy as of last month. 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. DIGITAL ONLY: JUST $5 PER MONTH 3.) Roehl said he also preferred an in-person learning model, but that it needed to be phased in to ensure the safety of students and staff. Incumbents Dave Guckenberger and Steve Zimmer faced challengers Kim Verhein Herro, Jason Kelly and James Wood in a primary election on February 16, 2016. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Sell the old Meadow View to fulfill the promise of the past board. Three Oconomowoc School Board members resign as board 'dragged into Lastly, our board can help to elevate the district by prioritizing the focus of the board itself as the existing strategic plan that has not seen improvements or modifications in almost 4 years. 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. Many Wisconsin School Boards, Overwhelmed By 18 Months Of Community Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. Counties, Place An Ad - Call 262-306-5000/email: Conleyclass@coneynet.com, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. Tony Evers' statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. Learn more about the Oconomowoc Area School District at www.oasd.org. 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 first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . Their answers were limited to 100 words. 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. Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. School board members resign in COVID-19 protest. "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. Cities | 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. He said what boards are seeing with COVID-19 disputes is similar, but with a key difference. 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. A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. Oconomowoc School Board hires Elmbrook's Michael Sereno as next Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by. All Rights Reserved. The board voted 4-3 to choose him over Grothaus, who had served in the role for the year prior. There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. powered by finalsite About Us 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. [5], Steitzer's term on the board expired in April 2021, and Herro's and Roehl's terms expired in April 2022.[1]. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. Here's what we know about how the Oconomowoc Area School District is 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. "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.". Tony Evers statewide mask mandate was overturned, the Oconomowoc school board took up the issue. 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. Decisions should be based on collaboration and transparency. 3 Oconomowoc school board members quit, citing toxic behavior - TMJ4 R- Realistic Spending- Dont spend what you dont have. 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. "They can make no one happy.". Counties, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. Waukesha County was home to 395,118 residents in 2014, according to the United States Census Bureau. The district is great with wonderful teachers, curriculum and facilities. Both in-person and virtual schooling should be available as a choice for families to accommodate students needs and those of their loved ones. Counties | 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 Contact info: 920-474-7796;thielw@oasd.org. I am running to be elected by the community to continueserving on the board as a trustee of the district. Phone. In regard to your question on masks. Our district is equipped for this and should respect and adjust to every students learning style and personal circumstances. "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?" School Board Meetings and Agendas - oconomowoc.finalsite.com I am a strong believer in in-person classroom learning, and that has worked well for myself, my childrenand others for hundreds of years. Office Incumbent Term School Board Member-at-Large VACANT 3 years (Begins April 25, 2022) School Board Member-at-Large Neal Ninmann 3 years (Begins April 25, 2022) Three-layer cotton masks, 26.5 percent efficient," another parent said. 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. Members James Wood and Jessica Kornowski voted against the proposal. The school board recall success rate was 7.8%. Supporting teachers is the first step towardbringing stability. Continue to implement our district strategic plan and our athletic strategic plan. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. SHARE. The number of signatures needed was equal to 25% of the votes cast within the school district in the 2018 gubernatorial election.[1]. The effort against members Juliet Steitzer, Kim Herro, and Scott Roehl began on September 17, 2020. Schraufnagel:Since the appointment of myself and the threeother new board members, our meetings are focused on improving the school district. "If people step forward and Im very hopeful that theres enough good people out there that will do that then the good quality work for kids can continue. Grothaus and Raasch both had about a year and a half left in their terms which expired in April 2023. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. "Its not a specific group thats necessarily capturing the board, but its the ideological conflict itself thats capturing the board," he said. I am excited to continue the momentum that the board has established. 2023 www.jsonline.com. Oconomowoc has been mostly optional since the start of this school year, and we intend to remain that way. A great group of administrators, staff and teachers. Sign up now! Another priority is to continue building trust between the community and the school board that we will do what we say and act as trustees ratherthan activists. 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. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. My main reason for applying was to bring stability and history to the table. He said the remaining board would move forward constructively. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Ninmann:100% remain optional for in-person learning. Two challengers have also entered the contest set for a vote April 5. 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.".