District in transition due to Cartwright departure, Board elections

After three tumultuous years overseeing the bustling Oshkosh Area School District (OASD), Dr. Vicki Cartwright has resigned, effective June 30, 2021, from her position as superintendent of the district. Her departure follows an application for the superintendent position of Florida’s Polk County Public Schools, which was submitted on January 31, over a month before her official resignation was announced.

Oshkosh Board of Education president Barbara Herzog has worked with and observed the many achievements Cartwright has made over the years, including increased funding for the district.

“I’d like to first begin by thanking Dr. Cartwright and recognizing her accomplishments during her time here in Oshkosh,” she said. “Those include overseeing the passage of the largest referendum in district history, which will not only allow us to build two new schools on the north side, but will also allow us to implement safety upgrades at our schools.”

Alongside the $115 million dollar referendum, requested on a November 2020 ballot, numerous grants were awarded to the OASD during Cartwright’s tenure, including funding for breakfast and lunch meal programs while students were learning virtually.

“Cartwright and the board have also embarked on a training program for our staff, which will be expanded districtwide for equity, and we have also created a new equity and inclusion committee so that all students can be assured that we're focusing truly on all of our students and their successes,” Herzog said. “We've expanded counseling services so there are a lot of tangible things that will go on after Cartwright’s departure.”

A press release issued by the board on March 15 publicly announced the superintendent’s resignation and provided her personal statement.

“It has been an honor to serve as superintendent of the Oshkosh Area School District over the past three years,” Cartwright said. “I have truly enjoyed my time in this wonderful community, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with our amazing staff, students, families and community. While I am proud of and appreciative for the opportunity to serve Oshkosh, the time has come for me to pursue the next chapter of my career.”

Cartwright’s tenure was not without criticism. A letter written and submitted to the board by various school administrators blamed her for inadequate, self-promotional leadership. Cartwright also experienced disapproval from parents and students who were forced to bounce between virtual and in-person learning throughout 2020. With the departure of the Florida native, another superintendent must be installed, and the clock is ticking toward the upcoming school year. 

“The last time we were looking for a Superintendent, we wanted to be sure to attract a more diverse pool than we had in the past,” Herzog said. “We wanted somebody who was innovative and would help move the district forward. This is a wonderful district with lots of strengths and lots of proud history and we wanted to continue those traditions.”

Cartwright’s planned resignation announcement allows the board ample time to search for a new candidate.
“I think that this is a common time for people looking for superintendent jobs to pursue that, and I think she wanted to be able to pursue that at this time,” Herzog said. “The contracts for all district employees commonly begin on July 1 and I think she was looking out for our district, making sure that we have enough time to find a good candidate while also giving her time to look for another position with other districts.”

The search for a new superintendent coincides with the board’s general election, slated for April. This complicates the invitation of the new superintendent because there are three seats up for election.

“We know there will be at least two new board members, maybe three, and we want to make sure that these new members are actually the ones who will make the final decision,” Herzog said. “So the current board members, on the board as it is today, will not be the ones making the next selection of superintendent. We want to make sure that our new board is the one who helps to find the criteria and helps make the final decision.”

The board sets policies, looks out for the financial needs of the district, and has input into changing and updating policies. This year’s parking fee was a prime example of the effect the board has had. Students were completely uncharged due to the virtual and hybrid models of the earlier school year. Along with impacts students see, the board also makes decisions that influence them indirectly.

“Potential salary increases for teachers don't necessarily translate to what you’re learning in the classroom but it does have an impact on teacher morale and how they feel respected,” Herzog said. “I think it's important to vote in this election because who gets to sit at the seven person table makes a difference in the classroom. It makes the difference in the materials we adopt, policies and practices we support, and overall decisions we make.”

Herzog entrusts the public with selecting board members who will best benefit the OASD.

“In a democracy, we depend on people to participate in elections, it’s very important,” she said. “We encourage all people to get out and vote on April 6.”

By Martin Bond

Published March 25, 2021

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue VI