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Candidates debate achievement gap and reading plans; Herzog cites Act 20 requirements

Oshkosh Area School District candidate forum (League of Women Voters of Winnebago County) · February 4, 2026

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Summary

Candidates at an Oshkosh forum discussed efforts to close achievement gaps; incumbent Barb Herzog cited Act 20 reading‑plan requirements and a local Read More program while others highlighted parental engagement and targeted tutoring. No new district policies were announced.

Addressing gaps for economically disadvantaged students and students of color, candidates offered a mix of policy references and local programs.

Barb Herzog said simply: "In one word, no" when asked if enough is being done, and pointed to Act 20’s requirement that students in the lowest 25% receive a personal reading plan with specific components aimed at returning students to grade level. She also highlighted a local Read More program led by Dr. Sam Coleman as a helpful community effort.

Candidates converged on the need for stronger family engagement and targeted interventions. Mallory Schneider Burschbach described her own child’s progress after a kindergarten reading plan and tied improvements to recent curriculum changes. Paul Molitor, Jeffrey Watts and Jacob Wolf emphasized tutoring, parental partnership and ensuring existing district resources are fully utilized before cutting classroom programs.

No candidate announced a specific new policy for immediate implementation; Herzog and others emphasized the district must strengthen outreach to families and deploy reading plans and community programs to close the gap.