oconomowoc school board

"When Juliet lost her seat, then we lost the majority, and once we lost the majority, the culture became caustic.". This can be integrated with the resources that the district already has in place and enrich them. Schools Details: WebSchool Year Calendar - Oconomowoc Area School District.Quicklinks. Schools | City of Oconomowoc, WI - Official Website We are in a good place right now and I want to make sure that we continue being financially strong. Six compete for four seats on Oconomowoc School Board Board members say the data has changed since they moved to a mask-optional policy as of last month. Parents filled the Oconomowoc School Board meeting. One thing that really helps now is the open debate and discussion that happens between board members, without becoming personal or offending other members. I've pledged not to accept donations from politically aligned special interest groups with pre-determined agendas. Watch Oconomowoc Area School District's Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education Meetings on Livestream.com. In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials. On May 13, attorneys for the Oconomowoc Area School District School Board issued the letter to Alexandra . Another thing that is important to me and has been added to all the meetings are a time for discussion from the community. "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. Jessica Karnowski for Oconomowoc School Board | Oconomowoc WI - Facebook Steitzer, Herro, and Roehl were joined in approving the proposal by members Dan Raasch and Rick Grothaus. After results came in, Steitzer released a message on her school boardFacebook page. 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. If we fail to support the best teachers, then we will miss them when they are gone. Sandy Schick (i); (bottom row, left to right). I have also mentored students at the high school in resume writing and interviewing skills and mentored students through Junior Achievement. Footnotes. Ninmann:The most important initiative for me as a board member is to remain a functional and cohesive board that acts collectively in the best interest of students, the community, teachers and administration. Counties, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. OCONOMOWOC . School Board Meetings and Agendas Meeting Schedules. Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF). "Polyester masks, they're 37.8 percent efficient. Counties | 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. From left to right: Mike Sereno, Joe Koch and Jeridon Clark. As noted before, in-person learning is critical to student success. Wood had the most votes with 5,279 (24%), followed by Karnowski's 5,010 votes (23%) and Carrico's 4,196votes (19%). The current board follows a policy and governance model that has helped our district move forward. 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. Oconomowoc has had an optional mask policy since the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Recall supporters said they did not agree with the decision and wanted students to have in-person learning five days a week. 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. 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. 3 Oconomowoc Area School Board members quit, citing toxic behavior and hyper-partisan environment. Alexandra Schweitzer garnered 3,200 votes and was followed by Steitzer with 3,010. Schmitz:I believe in democracy and diversity. As a board our priorities are driven by our strategic plan and I will continue to support that plan. SHARE. "Thank you for those who supported my campaign. The first question asks for $38.65 million for several projects . A great group of administrators, staff and teachers. Because of the contentiousness around COVID-19, Ford said things that would ordinarily fall in that "operational" category are instead being decided at the board level like mask requirements. Jessica Karnowski - Ballotpedia Youre not an expert on everything, youre not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the district.". 3 Oconomowoc school board members resign, major decisions ahead - WITI As of this week, the data and our district metrics are trending in the right direction, so barring any major changes to the data, I see a return to a full face-to-face approach on the horizon. The results are not official until they are canvassed. This is my first attempt at elective politics. 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. "If we really start making things contentious, people are going to walk away and go, 'I cant take this anymore,'" he said. In January, the Oconomowoc School Board agreed to put a two-question facilities referendum on the ballot totaling $75.45 million. The appointmentrequires re-election. My viewpoints remain the same. Our district is equipped for this and should respect and adjust to every students learning style and personal circumstances. Kaukl worries that in addition to the health impacts to kids and staff, the vicious disagreements and overriding of best practices around health will drive out the people who keep schools up and running. I wanted to make sure someone stood up to take accountability and I was most nervous about our district losing talented teachers. E- Excellence- Excellence in everything we do. 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. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Agendas for all regular board meetings, committee meetings, and special meetings are also available on the same site. Rick Grothaus, Dan Raasch, and Kim Herro announced their. 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. 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. Follow him on Twitter at @Evanfrank_LCP. Schweitzer, who was a newcomer to running for school board, said she loved the process of campaigning. The district needs to continue moving to unrivaled. Oconomowoc School District Threatens Parent With Defamation Lawsuit We need to bring this same level of excellence to the areas that still need improvement to get us there. Oconomowoc has been mostly optional since the start of this school year, and we intend to remain that way. Collected signatures for speedier repairs of the pavement in the parking lot across the street from the Post Office, which was in the core area of downtown Oconomowoc, full of potholes. 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. I am a good fit for this role as I can work well with a variety of people, and I can agree and disagree with them without allowing it to become personal. 556 likes. Three-layer cotton masks, 26.5 percent efficient," another parent said. We need to give our students coping tools to not live afraid. "I do think theres been this public expectation around COVID that we want these school board officials to manage the day-to-day," he said. Past board members began to work on personal agendas and that led to a great deal of dysfunction. 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. And if not, well, then this is the board the community wants.". This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by challenger Matt Carrico. 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. When I asked, was this pandemic-related? Our actions have an impact. One of the main issues for the school board in the near future will be deciding on the district's next superintendent. What a concept! 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. The school board recall success rate was 7.8%. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "Good people are not going to run for office when their reputation will be damaged because of partisan bickering," Steitzer said. The OASD School Board voted to authorize both referendum questions at the Jan. 18 meeting. I want to see Student Personal Development days on the same days that their teachers have their PD days. Mental fitness goes beyond being mentally sane; it includes developing a success mindset that can be applied to any discipline. 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 4.) "They can make no one happy.". In conversations with parents, teachers, and members of the community there is consensus that the school board can do better. The work to avoid faction-based political infighting starts now. Anderson:The main goal for the district should start with retaining our most talented teachers and positioning the Oconomowoc brand as the destination of choice among teachers across the state. Calendar Oconomowoc Tourism, WI CivicEngage 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. Oconomowoc Area School District Wi - schoolslearning.info There are six candidates for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board. (920) 474-4812. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc-area news with a subscription: Click here. 8, North Dakota, El Rancho Unified School District, California, Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No. From January. Ninmann:I was appointed in September 2021 to fill one of the quitting members' spots. I am excited to continue the momentum that the board has established. Recall supporters had 60 days to collect signatures from citizens in the school district. "I think a lot of members of the public dont understand that.". They would be able to go to work that day. Some want masks to be optional in schools, while others don't. DIGITAL ONLY: JUST $5 PER MONTH 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. I am currently a human resources director for a company in Merton. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. This enrollment out is currently larger than our enrollment in and every time that happens, we have fewer resources to work with. 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. Counties, Place An Ad - Call 262-306-5000/email: Conleyclass@coneynet.com, Kam Jones scores 23 as No. Read to your children. 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. I want Oconomowoc to be a destination school district for families outside of our boundaries. 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. My 19 years of experience demonstrate that I will be a well-prepared and an effective board member. Anderson:First, is to focus on how we attract and retain the most talented teachers possible. "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.". The Oconomowoc Area School District is located in Waukesha County in southeastern Wisconsin. 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. 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. Schick:Our resilient district has improved our ability to provide virtual learning during the challenges of the COVID pandemic. The boards job is to focus on getting our students the best education possible and work (as our vision states) to become Unrivaled.. 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. Jennifer Eldredge - MC-EA Bilingual Educator - School District of FOX6 News reached out to all three former members but none were available for an interview Monday. Vacating their seats are Rick Grothaus, Kim Herro and Dan Raasch. 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. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12. EMAIL. Application Contact Agency. Contact info: pschmitz06@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/PaulaSchmitzCampaign; 262-490-7048, Address:N56 W35146 Pondview Lane,Oconomowoc, Past political experience:Current board member. There is a list of health precautions including daily sanitizing of . The board is much more stable now than it was back then. In previous decades, concerns about the teaching of sex education and evolution, as well as issues like school vouchers, have prompted angry public discourse and division among school board members. 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). [7] The district was the 30th-largest school district in the state in the 2013-2014 school year and served 5,224 students. Believe it or not, that small step over time will also help us become a better district. Parents expressed concern, especially for younger students who aren't eligible for the vaccine, and concern over the politics taking place. Read full article. Bottom line, we need to increase our market share. [1], Steitzer had not responded to the recall effort as of September 19, 2020. 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. I have also served on both local and national boards of directors. Choose Select a Calendar to view a specific calendar. I led program development initiatives expanding outreach, involvement, and resources for both students and . 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. "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. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. | "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. The candidates are (top row, left to right): Andrew Anderson, Neal Ninmann (i), Sandy . View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Students need to take in oxygen to learn and stay perky at school, not carbon dioxide by exhaling inside a mask. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Dozens of Oconomowoc area school district parents are getting heated on the issue of face masks. Oconomowoc School Board hires Elmbrook's Michael Sereno as next "Its not a specific group thats necessarily capturing the board, but its the ideological conflict itself thats capturing the board," he said. The district should focus on advancing these programs to meet the needs of the current times or we will be missing the boat. Oconomowoc School Board meets following abrupt resignation of 3 - CBS58 Incumbents Dave Guckenberger and Steve Zimmer faced challengers Kim Verhein Herro, Jason Kelly and James Wood in a primary election on February 16, 2016. I also attended many school board meetings regarding masking and in-person classes. However, virtual learning for most students is not as effective as in-person learning. Incumbent Jessica Karnowski and newcomers Juliet Steitzer and James Wood defeated incumbents John Suttner and Donald Wiemer. Steitzer became a board member in 2018 and said this year's election became overwhelmingly partisan. Six candidates square off for four seats on the Oconomowoc School Board Herro was in the last year of her term, which expired April 2022. Four Oconomowoc School Board incumbents have retained their seats in the April 5 election. "For those who did not vote for me I want to thank you for coming out and participating in the process. I was so disappointed that at many of these meetings there was no opportunity for the community to speak. Ballotpedia features 395,577 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. "I have gotten to know many people in our beautiful Oconomowoc area, and I would not trade this experience for anything. More: Candidates for Oconomowoc mayor share views on growing inflation, infrastructure and public safety. 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. 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. Phone. Second, is the unique opportunity to help students pursue their individual passion to a greater extent. I started to become interested in the school board position last year during the recall. Leadership by the board, in the district, in classroom, by the teachers, and by the students. Meeting Schedule / Notices / Agendas/ Meeting Summaries. 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 should learn from districts that have suffered the death of a child and then changed their policy," said parent Natalie McAndrew. 100% remote. We can always do more and better in supporting studentswellness. Decisions should be based on collaboration and transparency. I sought a September appointment and received the appointment. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. Schmitz:I like to call my priority number one Student Mental Fitness instead of student mental health. All content Copyright 2023 WDJT. 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. The difference is in the approach. 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. Providing support for the educators of our school district, who continue to do incredible work with our students. Since August, the board has seen four resignations in the wake of a reportedly toxic work environment. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc news with a print subscription to The Enterprise: https://bit.ly/ocoent_sub. Address: N56 W35146 Pondview Lane, Oconomowoc Past political experience: Current board member Community involvement: Current school board member, former Oconomowoc rec league coach.. The 2,656 sq. OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned Sunday night, Aug. 15. Oconomowoc's school board voted virtually Tuesday night to hold face-to-face classes in the fall with a couple alternatives. "Well, my initial reaction was definitely surprise," said Scott Roehl, board VP. That mindset is the only way for us to grow as a district to go from good to great. U.S. President | "You want conflict on a governing board, it brings more voices to the table and it can lead to a solution that can be supported by even a divided group," he said. A good number pleading with the board to require masks, few for mask-choice. Three Oconomowoc School Board members resign, cite toxic board behavior I will fight for this as it will bring a transformative, long-lasting solution in times of crisis. Finding ways to increase open enrollment into our school district. When the board and district make student achievement their top priority, the district and community win. Divisive, bullying, partisan tactics are among the reasons why three Oconomowoc Area School Board members said they resigned. 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, WI 53066. [2] [3] Results General election A majority voted to keep requiring masks indoors through the end of the year, though kids could ditch them when they were outside. 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. [1] The board voted to return all grades to in-person learning starting on September 28, 2020. When three school board members in Oconomowoc resigned together on Monday, it wasnt solely because of board disputes over COVID-19. Kim Verhein Herro - Ballotpedia Incumbent Juliet Steitzer was unseated in the election by. We no longer employ consultants to work with the board on how to be board members. 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. She said: Absolutely! 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. 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. 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. State and local courts | Oconomowoc school board approves plan making face masks - CBS58 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. View All Calendars is the default. Only ONE is too many, but the actual numbers are alarming! 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. "But where you start off with the entrenched ideological conflict, thats where its just destructive it makes governing impossible.". As a former VP of a college, I know the debate around in-person versus virtual creates opportunity for innovation.

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