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Candidates tell League forum they support Right to Read measures, cite progress on CKLA pilots
Summary
All three candidates endorsed continued implementation of Wisconsin’s Right to Read measures (Act 20) and reported local CKLA curriculum pilots; candidates differed on how to handle funding delays and scale-up.
Oshkosh — Literacy was a central focus at the League of Women Voters forum, where all three school board candidates said the district should continue implementing scientifically based reading instruction under Wisconsin’s Right to Read direction.
Incumbent Molly Smilnick said she “fought long and hard for the changes that came in Act 20,” described her work on the district literacy committee and said the district is treating Act 20 as a minimum standard and “striving to go above and beyond it.” Smilnick said she has seen early reports of increased student engagement in CKLA classrooms and described the change as a “180 degree turn.”
Challenger Michael Ford said he supports the foundational elements of literacy policy and stressed the board needs members with data literacy. “If we're not doing the best scientifically based stuff to teach our kids to read, then what the heck are we doing with our school district?” Ford said. He noted the district has piloted programs but said state funding releases for the initiative have been delayed.
Challenger Jacob Wolf described literacy as a district priority and said his child has benefited from district support programs. All three said reading instruction is the backbone of broader student success.
Forum remarks did not include verbatim district implementation timelines or a complete, itemized accounting of state funds. Candidates said pilots are under way and that the district should continue training, monitoring and scaling evidence‑based curricula.
