As of 5:01pm today, the 60 day period to collect signatures to recall David Boetcher has expired. I confirmed with the WCSD district clerk that no petition, nor any signatures had been presented for certification by today’s deadline.
Per Wisconsin law, the recall petitioners needed to produce 2,612 valid signatures of legal electors residing in the WCSD geographic area, no later than 60 days after the petition was presented (11/19/2020). Sources affiliated to the recall petitioners informed me recently that the recall petitioners had recently obtained less than half of the signatures required. However, they continued to host signing events outside of Wipperfurth’s Piggly Wiggly in Waunakee through mid-January, as well as repeated Facebook posts to sign at the UPS store in Waunakee, as well as running Facebook ads attacking Mr. Boetcher directly (and myself indirectly).
By turning in no signatures, the recall campaign against Mr. Boetcher has officially failed.
He will not be on the Spring 2021 ballot.
I made no secret of my personal disdain for this effort. However, in the spirit of comity and understanding, I want to applaud Dave and those individuals who contributed to the Waunakee Student Financial Assistance Fund during this troubled time. I hope that the recall petitioners, in an effort to show their commitment to the betterment of the district, will consider matching the total donation Dave obtained during the recall period.
Coupled with donations that came in recently through the Classmunity site and Dave’s matched donations, nearly $4000 will have been raised for needy students and families in the district. A match by those folks trying to recall him would be powerful indeed.
Click the picture below for a link to donate! (picture is what I found with a google image search for “adorable kid fundraising png”)
I noted (let’s be honest, I complained) that there were few public voices outside of the recall leaders who put out any written statements regarding the recall effort. I asked the six Waunakee Village Board of Trustees candidates running for election in April 2021 for their opinions on the issue. As of my posting, four replied and I’ll supplement this post if others care to opine. (Update @ 8am 1/19/21, Joe Z replied, added below).
“These are challenging times, and the only way we can get through them and remain a strong community is by working together to find creative solutions to the problems we encounter, whether it’s creating an annual budget, reviewing development projects, or reopening schools.”
Sam Kaufmann
“The recall efforts are disappointing. I am a supporter of David and his work as Board of Education president. He has not done anything to be recalled for. I wished those parents would have put in as much effort towards other initiatives, such as educating residents on COVID-19 prevention measures so we could have kids in school sooner, which is what they wanted ultimately. I was sad to see them outside UPS in town investing time and money on the recall, knowing there are so many other places where their time and money is actually needed.”
Angie Ramos
“As I stated at the beginning of the recall, it was divisive and targeted an elected official who was showing real leadership at a time where others in the community choose to remain silent on stopping the spread of COVID. Fortunately, Dave continued to show leadership by using the opportunity to raise funds for the Student Financial Assistance Fund, which will be matched, raising over $2700 for the fund. The community really rallied around the cause to show that Waunakee can turn an ugly situation in to an equitable win for all, and move forward as we continue to navigate the pandemic together.”
Robert McPherson
“My opinion is that I do not believe in do-overs. You elect someone to represent you, unless they commit a criminal act, respect them for doing that which they think is best. That said my children have been out of Waunakee schools for 28, 32, and 34 years. They got an excellent education.”
Phil Willems
“I don’t support the recall itself. I think Dave and the rest of the school board have been in a very difficult position throughout the pandemic, and I believe the decisions being made are what each member believes are in the best interest of the school district as a whole.”
Joe Zitzelsberger
As we move forward together as a nation no longer led by a narcissistic bully who revels in open cruelty, dishonesty and hypocrisy, let us hope that we can have another go at peace, love and understanding.
UPDATE
The “Recall Gang of 12” (or someone representing them) decided to email the BOE on 1/19/21. I’ll give them the last word and people can judge it for themselves. Their email speaks for itself:
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Dear Waunakee School Board,
We as members of Families for Waunakee School Excellence are reaching out to you as concerned parents for our children and school district. It was unfortunate that we had to move forward with a recall, as it is against our very nature. However, in this process we confirmed what we knew to be true – we are not alone. Nearly 2,000 community members signed the recall petition, uniting their voices in a call for change.
This was not a political initiative. This was not about a single issue. This recall effort was based on community members believing that Mr. Boetcher failed to adhere to his role and responsibility as a school board member, especially one in a leadership role. Although the recall did not reach the required number of signatures, the voice of these community members should not be dismissed. If you have not already done so, we urge you to review the materials on our website including the video examples. Here you will clearly see the basis for the recall, what the community is concerned about and the change they are asking for.
1. Advocate for our students. Believe in them and their families. Do not continuously distrust or doubt them or try to control their activities outside of school.
2. Model appropriate behavior in social media. Sign a Digital Citizenship contract in the same way all district staff and children are required to do. Community members should not be mocked, insulted or shamed on social media by elected officials. This behavior wouldn’t be tolerated from our staff or our children. It should not be tolerated by our school board leader or any of its members.
3. Address mental health, absenteeism, and the current instructional model in Waunakee as an urgent matter.
4. Trust in the superintendent, administrators, parents, and students.
5. Communicate with ALL community members. People want to know their voices are being heard, especially in matters that directly concern their children.
Even without the required signatures to affect an early election, nearly 2,000 community members have spoken. These community members expect that you listen to their concerns and will be watching to see how you respond. This is your opportunity to demonstrate to the community that you have heard their concerns and are taking action to reset the leadership of the School Board to better align with the interests of the entire community.
Families for Waunakee School Excellence
Kris & Jeff Beutel
Susan & Jason Brown
Katie & Jeff Dotzler
Molly & Andrew Miller
Kim & Tom Raemisch
Tara & Jeff Swalve
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong and who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony, sweet harmony?
Waunakee & Friends 