Comments on It's About Oshkosh Students: Discussion of School Board Election Results

I think Mrs. Weinsheim's dress at the Oshkosh West...

2008-06-27T11:45:00.000-05:00

I think Mrs. Weinsheim's dress at the Oshkosh West graduation was inappropriate. She did not present the image of a dignified school board representative. She seemed to want to look like some of the young adults that were receiving their diplomas, rather than a professional elected official handing them out.

Since we are on the topic of BOE members:I am the ...

2008-04-09T08:15:00.000-05:00

Since we are on the topic of BOE members:

I am the spouse of an educator in this district and heard various rumors about a candidate. Most were that she had NO children in the district. I chose to call her and find out for myself.

She has four children. One at Traeger Middle in the Autism Program and one at Traeger Elementary. She pulled one that was failing her classes and passed to the next grade anyway. She stated that her daughter wass struggling and needed extra help and opted to enroll her in an Appleton Charter to get caught up. She states their goal is to have their daughter ready for OASD high school after next year.

Her youngest is Gifted and we all know there is no real GT program here until Alps at 3rd grade, he's in first. She stated that due to behavior problems from boredom, they pulled him and put him in Appleton's charter which is self-paced. She says their intention is to get him to a level where he is not bored and return him to OASD in the next couple of years. Until last year all four of their children were in OASD.

Since I know one OASD principal who enrolls his children at Lourdes and we enrolled one of ours in private school because of a lack of GT program, I think those were good reasons. I would expect a BOE member to be a good parent first and her passion for our schools, whether you agree with her positions or not, is admirable too. Judging by my phone call with her, she is very articulate and very nice. She answered my questions and listened to my concerns.

I know Mrs. Weinsheim just moved to TOA, so I imagine she open enrolls to keep her kids in the school where they were previous to their move. Another reasonable choice. In past conversations with her, she has always been nice if not distracted (by what, I don't know, just an impression). Lately, she does not seem to want to be there. Also, my impression.

I hope Mrs. Bowen can settle down now that Schneider is gone. Her attitude has become rude and I do not think frustration with someone who doesn't think like you is a good reason.

I imagine, like someone else stated, that there will be turnover next year, but why dwell on that so soon. A lot can change in a year.

Sick and tired, you can call it personal attacks i...

2008-04-08T21:13:00.000-05:00

Sick and tired, you can call it personal attacks if you want but stating of the facts is not an attack of any kind - personal or otherwise. Also, you need to read more carefully. The poster clearly wrote: "What is more disturbing to me is a school board member or wannabe who chooses to send their children elsewhere unless there is a very good reason (and I haven't heard one yet)." A good reason is sbjective, depending on one's point of view. What may be a good reason to you does not appear to be one to the poster. A difference of opinion. It is a shame that instead of seeing that and accepting other people's opinions who are different from your own, you'd choose to come off as sanctimonious and call another's opinions and the stating of facts as "personal attacks." Might I suggest that it is that kind of thin-skinned, defensive posturing of Mrs. Monte or Mr. Schneider and their supporters that cost them the election, or at the least helped bring it about.

My apologies to Mr. Becker. I did forget that he ...

2008-04-08T21:00:00.000-05:00

My apologies to Mr. Becker. I did forget that he has kids in the district. I'm also glad to know the answer regarding Prof. Lemberger's children. Thank you to the poster who brought my attention to those faux pas.

I do believe that it does matter if we are electing members who enroll their children here. I also think it does matter if they have children currently in the district. It's about balancing the board to represent many groups in our community. We need some with grown children, some with school age children.

I do not begrudge anyone who feels that her child's needs are not being met by this district, and for that reason chooses to remove that child. I think it's good parenting. Since she is no longer running, we really need to move past this.
:)M

Here go the personnal attacks again... we all know...

2008-04-08T17:44:00.000-05:00

Here go the personnal attacks again... we all know who 3:14 is talking about. BTW I have heard the reasons and they seem quite justified to me.

As for kids in the district... there are THREE. Traska, Weinshiem and Becker.

We need to keep our facts straight folks.

Lemberger has answered questions about his family ...

2008-04-08T15:14:00.000-05:00

Lemberger has answered questions about his family though you maybe didn't catch those discussions. At the end of the day, does it matter if he is married or has children in the district (they graduated from here, BTW, like the children of others on the school board). What is more disturbing to me is a school board member or wannabe who chooses to send their children elsewhere unless there is a very good reason (and I haven't heard one yet).

Who is up for re-election next year?My quick revie...

2008-04-08T14:42:00.000-05:00

Who is up for re-election next year?

My quick review of the cast as it sits in the new operating year:

Karen Bowen: Seems like an excellent person who sometimes lets her emotion for certain passions jade her overall goal. I like that she wants to create a plan and move it forward even though she'll have to compromise to do that.

Dennis Kavanaugh: Not an effervescent personality for board president but certainly a caring individual who wants to move a plan forward. I see him as so passionate about the special needs population that he excludes a lot of other populations.

Dan Becker: Kind. Listens to our concerns at firehouse meetings. Asks a LOT of questions to the point of holding up progress at the meetings.

Wayne Traska: Vested interest in his children's education. One of only 2 members with kids in the district (I'm not sure about Lemberger); provides important insight. Seems ready to compromise but also never states outright what he thinks therefore spends much time running around the proverbial bush.

Tom McDermott: Sneaky (not necessarily bad). Came out with the card from his sleeve to propose a plan. Evasive regarding his stance on some issues. Unusually good listening skills, and obviously a great negotiator since he has to deal with teacher's union. Although I frequently disagree with his vote, I respect the way he sits on the board. I think he, more than anyone, understands the job of the school board.

Amy Weinsheim: I have never personally spoke with her or had online conversation since she has no email. As such, note this is not a personal attack, just observations. I find her board persona rude and distasteful. Rarely has useful input. Has children in the district so I assume she has valuable input from that regard. Open enrolls her children.

John Lemberger: ? Wild card. Seriouisly nice man. Seriously disturbed ideas regarding neighborhood schools. Really rather elusive: we have no idea if he is married or has children in OASD and he hasn't answered those questions.

This is shaping up to be an interesting year. I'll miss Ben Schneider on the board since he often had important fiscal insights, and no one else can claim the same.

I predict that this board may have a bit of frustration in their future. If they vote to push a ref. and it doesn't pass, there will be turnover in the next election. If they sit on it and don't get the ref. voted on before the next election then there will be turnover. If they vote and the ref. passes, there will still be turnover. It's a damned if you do year.

Just my ramblings,
M

Yes, Anonymous 11:14 you are correct... Here is a ...

2008-04-08T13:09:00.000-05:00

Yes, Anonymous 11:14 you are correct...

Here is a link to the OASD Home page, you can find the resolution that was approved at the last board meeting there.

http://www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/

(you have to cut and paste--sorry)

Here is the last paragraph of that resolution which is what I stated before (it is all on the table for consideration) and is what you have explained (open to modification and further consideration.):

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education hereby adopts the remaining projects detailed under Phase I and Phase II in the March 19, 2008 Staff Report – Executive Summary attached to this resolution as continuing planning tenets for future projects.

It was my understanding that the board approved Mc...

2008-04-08T11:14:00.000-05:00

It was my understanding that the board approved McDermott's ammendment and also approved the rest of the long-range plan conceptually with the understanding that it was open to modification and further consideration.

marg -- The point is, the board has never voted on...

2008-04-07T23:53:00.000-05:00

marg -- The point is, the board has never voted on anything other than McDermott's amendment. As I stated before, the rest of the recommendation is still "out there" no one knows what will or will not be included in any additional phases, as the board has NOT voted on them, or even really discussed them. To say it is a 3 phase $75M referendum is to jump the gun. Maybe after 15 years that is what we will have, but maybe not, no one can know what future boards will do.

I think it is inappropriate for people to be out there stating their opinion as if it were fact. The fact is, the board is looking at a 2 question referendum in Feb. 2009, which is to include a new North side school to replace Oaklawn, repairs/additions to Merrill (primarily the Elem.) and a qestion to exceed revenue caps for $1.3M per year for 5 years to be used for capital improvements to buildings only.

The rest of the original 2 phase plan is "out there" to be reviewed and prioritized, but no one knows what that will look like and probably won't know for a couple years or more.

Just out of curiosity, what is the fascination wit...

2008-04-07T18:00:00.000-05:00

Just out of curiosity, what is the fascination with Monte's former name? Is using it supposed to mean something or is it just another way to throw stones.

On topic, I saw the meeting from home and gleaned from the BOE discussion that the resolution was broken into two phases and Mr. McDermott proposed a third phase that was really simply taking a couple of elements of the overall plan and making them an immediate priority. Nothing else, to inlcude the total, changed. So, by my count, the plan had 3 phases and totaled about $65 million (unless the ONW is also full of beans).

Anonymous 2:48 Contrary to what Monte has posted o...

2008-04-06T21:11:00.000-05:00

Anonymous 2:48

Contrary to what Monte has posted on her blog, no one knows at this point how many phases or what those phases would be. Right now the board has voted to direct administration to craft a plan to take to a referendum that would replace Oaklawn with a new North side school, change the school for the Sunset attendance area from Read to the new school once it is completed and close Lincoln and change that attendance area to Read. The rest of the plan that team 6 developed would be looked at in the future to determine what the districts needs are and what future boards think the community would support.

So, unless Monte is a fortune teller, she doesn't know how many more phases there will be, how much they will cost or what they might contain.

Mrs. Thiel: Could you please explain how many phas...

2008-04-06T14:48:00.000-05:00

Mrs. Thiel: Could you please explain how many phases the facilities plan will be done in? The resolution that was passed by the board talks about 2 phases. But Michelle Monte has a new posting on her blog that talks about at least 3. Have I missed something or is this more of Mrs. Luchsinger Monte not knowing what she's talking about and spreading misinformation about a district that doesn't seem to want her?

I suppose Mr. Lemberger might very well bring fort...

2008-04-04T10:24:00.000-05:00

I suppose Mr. Lemberger might very well bring forth a resolution to keep every school open, however, I think this first phase only replaces Oaklawn, while I guess you could technically call that a closing I can't believe Mr. Lemberger thinks "fixing" up Oaklawn is perferable to a new school.

If he were to bring forth such a resolution, I'd be surprised if it received more than 2 votes.

Will Mr. Lemberger bring forward a plan to keep al...

2008-04-04T10:07:00.000-05:00

Will Mr. Lemberger bring forward a plan to keep all schools open?

Well I'm disappointed that I have to turn Comment ...

2008-04-04T07:52:00.000-05:00

Well I'm disappointed that I have to turn Comment Moderation on but I told you I would.

This Thread was to discuss the School Board Election Results, not to post the same tired old comments about how unions are ruining the world. You want to go on ad naseum about that, start your own blog. Your arguements are the same time after time and I don't want to read them any more.

I find it interesting that presumably the same people who have been writing that Monte and Schneider would win the election, McDermott would be shown the door, the referendum will never pass etc. Keep coming back and are still soooo sure that the referendum will not pass. Well let's just say for one minute the candidates won because of the union effort (which I don't buy because the union has been far more active in other elections and were not successful) what makes you think the union won't put forth the same effort for the referendum?

I think the real message the election sent was that people are tired of the fighting and inertia on the board and saw Schneider as part of the problem and did not see Monte as part of the solution.

Sounds like that school district should be more ca...

2008-04-03T20:18:00.000-05:00

Sounds like that school district should be more careful in its hiring practices. It also sounds like their a lot of weirdos applying for teaching positions there. Something else is causing their dysfunction, not the union. Speaking of dysfunction, you are also dysfunctional because you can't stay focused on the topic of school board election results. Go union bash somewhere else.

Sounds like that school district should be more ca...

2008-04-03T16:57:00.000-05:00

Sounds like that school district should be more careful in its hiring practices.

Big deal. So you've got one rogue teacher in NYC. ...

2008-04-03T15:29:00.000-05:00

Big deal. So you've got one rogue teacher in NYC. That has absolutely nothing to do with the election results here or any of the good things unions do. You union bashers will use any forum you can to spin your tales of woe.

Mrs. Thiel may need to start moderating again to keep this kind of thing from happening. Send the union haters the message that they need to stick to the topic or find some other blog to bellyache on.

Ongoing labor doesn't equate to higher labor. Peop...

2008-04-03T14:13:00.000-05:00

Ongoing labor doesn't equate to higher labor. People who put their own spin on things and make wrong assumptions are the reasons things are so misunderstood. Note: The other things all allow other monies to be used for programming. You also don't know what was included in the earlier referendum that would have been partially funded by this. Know your facts or call Winneconne and ask them before spreading gossip and innuendo.

"The funds would have covered ongoing labor..."Sou...

2008-04-03T14:01:00.000-05:00

"The funds would have covered ongoing labor..."

Sounds like it would partly be used for more wages to me!

Funny they didn't say..."It's for the kids" That line generally gets people to open their wallets...then the money ends up going into the teachers pockets and does nothing for the kids.

Might have got the thing passed though!

The article didn't say the money would be used for...

2008-04-03T13:43:00.000-05:00

The article didn't say the money would be used for higher wages and more benefits. To quote the article it said "The funds would have covered ongoing labor, transportation and utility expenses. It also would have continued spending levels that previously had been approved by voters in a 2006 referendum to exceed the state revenue cap by $1.15 million per year."

I was reading about the Winneconne referendum and ...

2008-04-03T13:12:00.000-05:00

I was reading about the Winneconne referendum and that it didn’t pass. I think that the voters in Winneconne might have approved it if it would have been like ours is in Oshkosh. Just used for repairing schools, no more money or benefits to teachers or staff. In Winneconne though it was to exceed the state cap and that some of the money would be used for higher wages and even more benefits. That’s what killed that referendum I think.

I agree the Esslinger forum was in poor taste and ...

2008-04-03T13:11:00.000-05:00

I agree the Esslinger forum was in poor taste and people saw it for the scam it was. Didn't help anyway. Guess Esslinger should stick to selling advertising and away from in front of the cameras.

I watched all of the BOE debates on TV. I found C...

2008-04-03T13:07:00.000-05:00

I watched all of the BOE debates on TV. I found City Councilor Esslinger hosting a panel discussion for the benefit of his buddies, Shneider and Monte horribly inappropriate.
I voted for McDermott and Lemberger.
Yahoooo!