Vote as if the future of the Wauwatosa School depends on it, because it does!
We are a few days away from from Spring Election Day in Wisconsin. Though many people have already voted Absentee, there are still thousands who will cast their vote on April 4th.
In addition to the State Supreme Court race, there are also municipal races and Referenda on the ballot across the state.
In Wauwatosa, there are four School Board seats up. With only a total of seven seats on the board, Wauwatosa, literally, has the power to either keep the status quo or to completely change the current trajectory of Wauwatosa Public Schools.
We all know that school board races are supposed to be ‘non-partisan’ races, but, let’s be real, they are all partisan. I have also written about the fact that Liberals love to hide their true colors behind the ‘non-partisan’ veil, this year is no different.
Because of the intense criticism of the Wauwatosa School Board recently, Jessica Willis, is the only incumbent running for re-election this year. She is facing Mike Zollicoffer Jr. for Seat 7. Willis was appointed recently by the board to finish an open term.
Liz Heimerl-Rolland and Chris Zirbes are competing for Seat 5, which is currently held by Michael Phillips. Lynne Woehrle and Daniel Gugala are competing for Seat 6, now held by Sharon Muehlfeld.
Seat 4 is also up for election this year, but Phillip Morris is running unopposed for that seat which is currently held by Leigh Anne Fraley.
The candidates are basically separated by two camps. Willis, Heimerl-Rolland, and Woehrle, represent the status quo and desperately want to keep things moving in the same direction, on the other hand; Gugala, Zirbes and Zoollicoffer (the Three Tosa Dads) represent the ones who want change the trajectory of the Wauwatosa School System.
Since Morris is running unopposed, I will focus on the seats with opponents.
The Out of Touch Candidates vs. the Three Tosa Dads
I wasn’t planning on writing about the Wauwatosa School Board races, but sadly, there is so much misinformation flowing that I cannot ignore it any longer. Willis, Heimerl-Rolland, and Woehrle have done a bang-up job controlling the narrative by attempting to paint ‘the Three Tosa Dads’ as ‘right-wing’ extremists and LITERALLY misrepresenting their stances.
One example of the lies is a post card out there saying they want to ‘ban books.’ Seriously? None of the Three Tosa Dads proposed anything close. This is hyperbole at best. I’m surprised they didn’t say the Dads wanted to Barbecue puppies in their back yards.
Here’s a link to the Three Tosa Dads website, name one thing they say that is extreme? The truth is, YOU CAN’T.
‘Accuse your opponent of what you are doing, to create confusion and to inculcate voters against evidence of your own guilt’
– Saul Alinsky, Rules for Radicals
What we really have is a case of three candidates with actual Extreme views accusing their opponents of being extreme. Their vitriolic hyperbole about the Three Tosa Dads would make Saul Alinsky proud.
Let’s set the record straight, it is Willis, Heimerl-Rolland, and Woehrle who are the Extremists because they are supporting the status quo.
THEY SUPPORT EVERYTHING THE CURRENT BOARD HAS DONE. Everything from manipulating survey data to implement pornographic sex ed for 3rd-Graders, making Suspensions and Expulsions more difficult, while hiring social workers to give violent students a ‘firm talking to.’ All the things that are making Wauwatosa Schools unequivocally UNSAFE.
In a nutshell, Willis, Heimerl-Rolland, and Woehrle will be nothing except replacement minions for the current extremists on the board. They will be nothing but rubber-stamps who will do the bidding of ‘Dr’ Eric Jesup-Anger, PhD. and his extreme agenda.
Under the leadership of Jesup-Anger and under past leadership of former Presidents Steve Doman and Shawn Rolland, there has been push to turn the Wauwatosa Schools System into an extreme WOKE haven. Yes, Shawn Rolland is the husband of Liz Heimerl-rolland who is currently running. This fact alone should have you very concerned since Shawn started this trajectory.
Here is the problem with such a hyper-focus on ideology rather than education, it’s destined to fail. Look at the data, this extreme dereliction of duty has lead to Wauwatosa Schools consistently seeing significant performance declines EVERY YEAR. Of course, the board wants to use the Covid excuse for the declines. Sorry guys, the decline started in 2018 and continues to this day. Whitefish Bay declined during Covid, but has bounced back since, what’s Wauwatosa’s excuse?
The chart below shows Wauwatosa’s DPI Score decline from 2018 to 2021.
Let me remind you, 2018 was the alleged year Jesup-Anger’s ‘no suspension / no expulsion‘ practice started.‘ So, student scores are aligning with the direction of alleged disciplinary practices, but that’s a different article.
You see, it’s not just about academics, but it’s also about student safety. Many of you know I have written several articles and shown videos about the all out brawls that are now common place in Tosa High Schools and Middle Schools. It’s only a matter of time before we see videos of of 1st-Graders brawling. Think I’m being hyperbolic? Just wait.
This all falls directly at the feet of the School Board.
Right now the Wauwatosa School Board is completely out of balance. There is one common-sense member, Mike Meier. Even though he is basically a Democrat, I totally respect him because he is not one who believes in pushing a political agenda in schools. He gets it, but sadly, HE’S THE ONLY ONE.
The rest of the board is a bunch of FRINGE, extremist Social Justice Warriors. So, Wauwatosa is left with a decision; continue with the current 6-1 extremist tilt of the current board or restore a balanced board.
It’s ALL about balance.
Luckily, Wauwatosa has three REAL options. The Three Tosa Dads get it. They are are not making these races about ideology, but about Tosa kids and about the need to change the current course. They understand that ideology has no place in Wauwatosa Schools and the recent ideological push has hurt Tosa Kids. They are running to restore common sense to the Wauwatosa School Board, they are NOT running to make Tosa Schools a ‘Conservative haven.’ And rightfully so.
This is from their website.
‘We’re 3 Wauwatosa dads who are invested in our community and our schools. We are running for Wauwatosa School Board for the academic success of all students, safe and supportive learning environments, responsible resource allocation and to make the Wauwatosa School District a destination for great teachers.’
How is this possibly extreme? Here’s a hint, it’s NOT!
The Three Dads, Daniel Gugala, Chris Zirbes, Mike Zollicoffer Jr., are EXACTLY what Wauwatosa Schools need right now.
What this does is, at least, balance the board at 4-3, favoring common-sense and stopping the extremism. But at the same time, recognizing that Wauwatosa is essentially a purple city ideologically, both sides will have a seat at the table and will have to work together to get anything done. The way it should be in a city like Wauwatosa.
Wanting schools safe from violence is NOT extreme, wanting to hold violent students accountable for actions is NOT extreme, wanting students reading at or above grade level is NOT extreme, wanting students proficient in Math and Science is NOT extreme, wanting to hold teachers accountable for student achievement is NOT extreme, and wanting to KEEP POLITICS OUT OF SCHOOLS IS NOT EXTREME.
Wauwatosa parents and taxpayers have a choice, the failing status quo, or supporting a change in trajectory. Choose wisely.
