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Oshkosh school board forum puts literacy, referendum and governance on display
Summary
Three candidates for two Oshkosh Area School Board seats outlined sharply different priorities on literacy, a proposed facilities referendum and governance practices during a League of Women Voters forum.
Oshkosh — Three candidates competing for two seats on the Oshkosh Area School Board presented their priorities on literacy, a proposed facilities referendum, school choice and board conduct at a League of Women Voters forum on March 31.
At the forum moderated by Margie Davie, president of the League of Women Voters of Winnebago County, the candidates said teaching children to read, fixing aging facilities and restoring civility and professional governance were central concerns. Candidates Michael Ford, an education-policy director and longtime governance trainer; incumbent Molly Smilnick, appointed to the board in summer 2024; and Jacob Wolf, a local father and coach, each emphasized different solutions.
The forum provided voters a chance to compare backgrounds and stances. Ford highlighted his work as director of the Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue and emphasized data literacy and “professionaliz[ing] our school board” to set measurable goals. Smilnick focused on literacy and equity, saying, “Every child has a right to learn to read in our public schools,” and noting her recent service on the district’s literacy committee. Wolf said his experience as a parent and community coach would bring “practical decision making” and a new perspective to the board.
Candidates diverged on the district referendum and on public funding for voucher schools. Smilnick said she supports the referendum that would consolidate or upgrade district facilities to improve learning conditions; Ford said he supports the referendum despite noting its cost; Wolf said he opposes the measure as currently proposed and urged more transparency and revision.
On literacy policy and implementation of Wisconsin’s Right to Read measures (Act 20), all three candidates said the district must continue its recent curriculum and intervention work. Smilnick said the district is “striving to go above and beyond” Act 20 and pointed to early classroom reports that students are more engaged. Ford noted pilot programs are under way but said state funding releases have been delayed.
Other topics at the forum included teacher recruitment and retention, school libraries and complaint procedures, the role of the board in age-appropriateness decisions, and how city, county and higher-education partners might coordinate with the district. Each candidate answered questions on civic education and national proposals to shift federal education responsibilities to the states.
The forum closed with a reminder that the election is on April 1 and that polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; voters must show a photo ID and may find more information at myvote.wi.gov and vote411.org.
