What's the BOE Been Up To

The last several months since the election have been very busy for the BOE. For the purpose of transparency, I will be posting updates here. I will also be posing questions for community feedback. All information posted to this site will either be items reflected on meeting agendas or can be found on the district website. Any opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

In the last several months, we have had to cut over $2 million dollars from the budget. In the coming weeks, we have anticipated making more cuts. Depending on how the state budget turns out, we are looking at between $760,000 and $4 million for next years budget on top of what we have already cut. Last night's workshop included a list from administration of recommendations for the BOE to work with.

We will be considering closing one small school with the potential for a few more consolidations in the future. I don't agree with closing neighborhood schools. Governor Doyle has put us in the position with the state budget, where we have to consider all possibilities for saving money, no matter how much it may hurt.

It will be possible to close one school by September of this year. I know there are many rumors floating around about which it will be. That discussion will take place in the open so all stakeholders will be aware of what is happening and so the community can weigh in. Do not assume is the best recommendation I can make right now. Some of the rumored buildings to be closed are not even on the radar.

We are also looking for a property to replace our maintenance facility. Several have been considered and several more will be toured to make sure we are getting what we need at a reasonable price. This is an ongoing process.

In committee, Facilities and Finance and Policy and Government are working on a policy to create a dedicated maintenance fund in the hopes of not having the same problems with funding our maintenance needs that we have had in the past. It is a work in progress.

As always, I invite the community to join us during meetings to offer your opinions, concerns, and suggestions.

Keep watching the district website for more information on any changes that may be occurring in the school district and take rumors with a grain of salt until the facts are made public.

Thank you.

BOE Updates

Regarding Board officers:

President: Ben Schneider, II
Vice President: John Lemberger
Treasurer: Tom McDermott
Clerk: Dan Becker

Regarding Committee Assignments (good to know when you are interested in a specific topic/concern):

Policy and Governance:
Lemberger, Chair
Monte
McDermott

Facilities and Finance:
Becker, Chair
Wiedenhoeft
Monte

Administrator Compensation Committee:
McDermott, Chair
Bowen
Becker

Human Growth and Development:
Lemberger

Partnership for School Improvement:
McDermott

Standards and Assessment:
Lemberger

Village Partnership:
Bowen
McDermott

Waiver Review Committee:
McDermott

Partners in Education:
Monte
Wiedenhoeft
McDermott-as a business member

CESA 6 Representative:
Bowen

TIF Districts:
Becker

WASB, Museum Board, Fox Valley Tech College Board of Dir Selection Com, Community Sounding Board:
Schneider

FSEA Negotiations:
McDermott and Bowen

IATSE Negotiations:
Becker

NTEA Negotiations:
Becker
alternate Monte

OEA Negotiations:
McDermott
Becker
Schneider

OPEA Negotiations:
Lemberger
Wiedenhoeft

Reorganization Meeting

You Are Invited!

Thursday, April 30, at 7:oopm is an open meeting of the new BOE for the purposes of reorganization. The meeting will be in the Board room of district offices on Eagle Street.

If you have ever wanted to know how the President, Vice President, Clerk, and Treasurer are chosen, here is your chance. In addition, BOE members will decide on committee assignments.

Want to meet the new BOE members and/or talk to the old ones? Want to see what happens when the cameras are off?

The reorganization meeting is usually short so take a few minutes out of your schedule to see your elected officials interact.

Monte Wins A Seat On the BOE

With 6,215 votes, I came in second in the general election for the Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education. Joining me on the BOE will be Ben Schneider II and Matt Wiedenhoeft, who came in first and third respectively.

Of the three referendum questions, Questions one and three were defeated and question two was approved by our community.

I would like to thank all of the wonderful people who have helped me on my campaigns an have showed unwavering support over the last four years. Without their support and hard work, I would not be able to help our school district move forward.

I would also like to thank my family who has put in a tremendous amount of work and made many sacrifices to help me reach my goals.

I look forward to working with the entire Board of Education in making the long promised Long-Range Facilities plan a reality in the near future.

If anyone has any concerns or questions, feel free to call me at home: 233.9878. If I am not available, please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible. I can also be reach via email: monte07@new.rr.com, and by posting on this blog.

Thank you again for your support and confidence.

Michelle Monte