WINNECONNE, Wis. — More accusations of wrong-doing are leveled against members of the Winneconne Area School Board. Board Vice President Dean Ackmann accuses fellow board member Mark Kunde of preventing him from attending a meeting of the Finance Committee. Ackmann also claims member Donna Hanson may have violated open meetings laws while she served as chairperson of the School Board.
Ackmann adds that he took his concerns to an attorney, who provided him a letter raising legal concerns about the practices of Kunde and Hanson. And Ackmann accuses board member Jillayne Verich of calling Board President Kati Calewarts a liar during a board meeting.
In a statement, Ackmann says he does not want to file a formal complaint against his fellow board members but will if conditions warrant.
In a Winneconne News article this week, Winneconne Community School District Board Vice President Dean Ackmann is defending his record amid the current recall effort and calling for consistent standards of accountability across the entire Board of Education.
“I did not run for School Board expecting everyone to agree with me,” Ackmann said. “I ran to serve this community, our students, families and taxpayers. I dispute the allegations being made against me. An allegation is not a finding.”
Ackmann says that distinction should also apply when residents examine the conduct of Board members Jillayne Verich, Mark Kunde and Donna Hanson, who participated in circulating recall petitions against him.
Ackmann points to Verich publicly calling Board President Kati Calewarts a “liar” during a Board meeting; his contention that Kunde prevented him from participating in an HR/Finance Committee meeting, followed by an attorney letter raising legal concerns about exclusion of Board members from committee meetings; and concerns raised in that letter about District meeting practices during Hanson’s tenure as Board president.
After the attorney letter was delivered, Ackmann says his focus was on giving the Board an opportunity to address the identified deficiencies rather than immediately pursuing additional legal action that could result in further legal expense to District taxpayers.
“I believed the responsible first step was to identify the concerns, give the District an opportunity to correct them and avoid unnecessary legal costs if possible,” Ackmann said. “Accountability does not always have to begin with another attorney, another investigation and another bill for taxpayers.”
Ackmann emphasizes that he is not claiming those circumstances establish that Verich, Kunde or Hanson violated Wisconsin law or Board policy. “That is exactly my point,” he said. “Questions and allegations are not automatically proof of misconduct. I am willing to have my record examined. I am asking that the same standard be applied to everyone.”
Ackmann says he has considered whether matters involving the three Board members should be presented through the Board’s formal complaint process. For now, he says he has chosen not to immediately pursue that course because a formal investigation could require outside counsel and create additional expense for District taxpayers. He says he reserves the right to reconsider if circumstances warrant.
Ackmann also notes that Verich, Kunde and Hanson have publicly demonstrated support for District Administrator Peggy Larson, including appearing in “I Stand With Peg” shirts. He says those actions do not establish misconduct or improper coordination, but provide context for evaluating the public positions Board members have taken.
Ackmann rejects calls to delay significant Board decisions until after the recall. “The District does not stop operating because a recall is underway,” he said. “Students still need to be educated, employees still need leadership, taxpayer dollars still need oversight, and the Board still has responsibilities.”
Ackmann says some criticism involves matters Board members may be unable to discuss because of personnel, legal or investigative confidentiality. “Respecting confidentiality is not dishonesty,” he said.
“My Christian faith calls me to act with integrity, tell the truth and do what I believe is right even when it is difficult or unpopular,” Ackmann said. “I did not choose this fight, but I will defend my record. I am not asking the community to give me a pass. I am asking that nobody else receive one either.”
Kunde, Hanson, and Verich all actively worked with a group that tried to recall Ackmann and Calewarts, but had their recall petitions rejected by Board Clerk Kari Flagg.
