Oshkosh school board candidates make literacy central and split on referendum, vouchers at LWV forum

A candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Winnebago County and Oshkosh Media brought three Oshkosh Area School Board candidates together to outline priorities centered on literacy, teacher retention and facilities — and sharply divided them on a proposed district referendum and use of public funds for private school vouchers.

The forum, moderated by League president Margie Davie and recorded for Oshkosh Media, featured candidates Michael Ford, Molly Smeltnick and Jacob Wolf answering questions from a panel and audience-submitted items. All three repeatedly returned to reading instruction as a top priority.

The candidates framed reading instruction as foundational. Molly Smeltnick, a current board member and candidate, said, "every child has a right to learn to read in our public schools," and described district adoption this past fall of a curriculum aligned with Wisconsin Act 20 (the Right to Read Act). Michael Ford, a candidate and director of the Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue, said the district has piloted programs under Act 20 despite delays in state funding and argued the board needs data literacy to prepare for possible federal or state changes.

Candidates described similar priorities on teacher support and retaining staff: setting clear expectations, providing professional development and treating teachers as professionals. "We have to keep that in mind. They're the most important employees in the district," Ford said. Smeltnick emphasized supporting staff through engagement, coaching and nonmonetary recognition. Jacob Wolf, a candidate who said his children attend district schools, urged the board to listen to teachers and include them in decision-making.

The three split on the April referendum and on vouchers. Smeltnick said she supports the referendum and described centralized early-childhood services and facility updates as the rationale, citing accessibility and air-quality concerns in some buildings. Ford said he supports the referendum but stressed transparency about its nearly $200,000,000 cost and that buildings alone do not teach students; he called facilities foundational for attracting families and teachers. Wolf said he opposes the referendum as currently framed and urged a revised plan and greater transparency on zoning and program details.

On vouchers, Wolf said, "The voucher program ... gives people opportunity for a choice," and framed it as part of addressing enrollment decline. Ford described himself as "generally a supporter of educational freedom" but said he opposed statewide expansion in the past and emphasized that many private and parochial schools remain part of the community. Smeltnick said she is not a proponent of public funds for voucher schools and called the funding shift a threat to public education unless voucher recipients are held to comparable standards.

Candidates also addressed book-selection policy, the posting of the Ten Commandments, civic education and the federal Department of Education. On book selection, candidates largely favored trusting professional staff and following existing complaint procedures; Smeltnick said the board’s role is to ensure procedures are followed. Asked whether the Ten Commandments should be posted in classrooms, Wolf said yes; Ford and Smeltnick said no, with Ford invoking separation of church and state and Smeltnick saying religious displays undermine belonging for students of other faiths.

Panelists and candidates noted operational details and reminders for voters. The forum reminded voters that polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 1 and that a photo ID is required to vote; resources referenced included myvote.wi.gov and Vote411.org. Candidates noted that federal funding covers programs such as free and reduced-price lunch, Title I and special education; Ford and others said loss of federal funding would require district contingency planning.

The forum did not include any formal board actions or votes; it was a candidate information event. The League reiterated that it does not support or oppose candidates.

The candidates’ closing remarks reiterated literacy and accountability as central themes: Smeltnick said teaching kids to read underpins improved attendance and reduced suspensions; Ford emphasized professionalizing board practices and measurable goals; Wolf promised to work with the board and learn the role.

Votes at a glance: This forum did not include formal motions or votes by the Oshkosh Area School Board; it was an informational candidate forum.