04/28/2026
Being an elected official means often one has to hold back their words. Reading the following I see freedom from that constraint.
I might change a few words here and there, but Kelly seems to have accurately summarized our votes from last evening:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B3AsLsJsr/
๐๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐น
Last night I had the opportunity to attend the Oshkosh Board of Education meeting for the first time in 3 years as just a citizen observer and I donโt know that I could be any more disappointed in our district leadership.
Iโll start with the good news. Mike Ford was elected as board president. After the last two years of declining test scores, declining enrollment, poor budgeting practices, no accountability and even personal attacks against myself in public meetings, it was definitely time the previous president be replaced. Beth Wyman was elected as vice president.
Several things bothered me about this meeting. First, it was a reorganization meeting itself. During my 3 years on the board this meeting only dealt with the typical organizational shifts of selecting officers, adopting the existing policies, and assigning committee duties. This time, however, the board took up three additional items.
Given past practice this meeting was to not conduct any other business, so I wasnโt ever concerned about the fact that the meeting wasnโt recorded and live streamed like our other meetings are. However, this meeting did take up three items and my understanding is that the district did not record the video. To his credit, Dr Hess did announce at the beginning of the meeting his intent to record the audio so there is public record. Dr. Davis said he would post it on the website, so we'll see..
The first resolution taken up was the non-renewal of teacher contracts due to the budget deficit and formula based staffing. Some reductions resulting in staff having to move into other positions they are licensed for after retirements. Some will seek employment elsewhere and resign after finding a new job. Those that are left face non-renewal. The board gave preliminary notices weeks back and last night was the vote for the final notice.
Dr Hess raised an issue in that a teacher had contacted him earlier that day asking if she could come and speak in support of a colleague on the non-renewal list. The problem was that the board agenda did not have listed an opportunity for public comments. The agenda came out Friday evening for a Monday meeting. So the only opportunity to question this was the day of the meeting. Because the question came up on the day of the meeting, concerns were raised over adjusting the agenda to allow this.
Two motions were made to resolution. First, was to vote separately on each renewal, which apparently was a request from the teacherโs union. This was voted down. Second, was a motion to table the resolution to the May 13th board meeting so that it could be voted on at a meeting that allowed public comment and give time to research potential legal concerns over voting separately as requested. This too was voted down. Ultimately the non-renewal passed.
I am disgusted with Molly Smiltneek and Chris Wright on this one. Molly seemed to suggest that this request to listen to constituents was merely an attempt to bring more publicity to the issue and Chris suggested that he didnโt think one or two people speaking up would change the outcome. Both may be true, but this meeting was the first time the public got to see specific names, duties, and school assignment. For a board that always throws around the idea of transparency and listening to constituents, this is upsetting. I agree with Dr Hess that not allowing staff to come in an speak on behalf of their colleagues the day the final decision is made sends a very clear message to them and the community.
Last Wednesday the board voted to table a resolution giving raises to 4 elementary school principals. At the time, Barb Herzog brought forward a motion to table the decision until Todd Grey could come and validate the districtโs budget projections before potentially making things worse. The vote on Wendesday was 5-2 to table it (Wyman and Ford were no votes). Apparently within two days Barb changed her mind and wanted it brought back. Todd Grey has not yet looked at anything. We have no better understanding of where the district is at. But now without the cameras rolling the board voted to approve the raises (5 yes, 1 no - Hess, 1 present โ Wolf ).
Finally the board took a vote on adding a section of full-day 4K to the mix. Tim pointed out that the state hasnโt updated the funding formula for 4K yet. That is if we enroll a student for half-day 4K the district we receive 60% of the revenue of a full time student. But, if we enroll a student in full day 4K the district still only receives 60% of the full time student. It would seem the funding formula is broken. Tim pointed out that one teacher could teach two half day or 1 full day section. I donโt always follow all the details, but it seemed like that in choosing to implement full day 4K the district might be giving up $195,000 in revenue but the report provided to the board doesnโt at all point this out. Remember, the district is facing a $10.9 million deficit. This was a common occurrence during my time on the board. District administration loves to leave out information that might make a board member question their outcome of choice.
What was made clear to me last night was that nothing is going to change. Wednesdayโs expressions of concern over the $10.9 million deficit seemed like an act. The board majority had to feign anger, surprise and frustration, but going forward it will be business as usual accepting any and all recommendations of administration with no accountability. I may no longer be the one voting, but I can assure you I intend to remain involved and help keep the community informed.
