WINNECONNE, WI — On Monday, Winneconne Board of Education Clerk Kari Flagg notified recall petitioners that the petitions targeting Board President Kati Calewarts and Vice President Dean Ackmann were deemed insufficient and would not move forward. The decision was delivered during the board’s public‑comment session, though the underlying documents have not been released.
Signature counts exceed requirements
Recall organizers reported collecting 2,332 signatures for the petition against President Calewarts and 2,308 signatures for the petition against Vice President Ackmann. Both totals far surpass the required 1,475 valid signatures needed to trigger a recall vote.
Board’s response and community reaction
Board President Calewarts said the petitions were “certified insufficient,” noting that she had received the same documentation herself. Community member Nate Harter expressed disappointment, stating, “As leaders of the community school district, we expect you to lead with compassion, mercy, and understanding. So far, I am not seeing that out of any of you guys. We need to make some changes here.”
Connection to Moms for Liberty
The recall effort is backed by Moms for Liberty Winnebago County, a national organization that champions parental rights in public education and opposes LGBTQ‑inclusive curricula. While the four board members who voted to place former Administrator Peggy Larson on paid leave are affiliated with the group, President Calewarts disputes that they operate as a unified bloc.
Administrator retirement and investigation
Last week, Peggy Larson, the district’s longtime administrator, announced her retirement. In her farewell remarks, Larson emphasized the importance of voter awareness in local elections, urging residents to “understand who you’re voting for, ask questions, engage in conversations, become informed before you go to the ballot box, and most importantly, vote.” She received a standing ovation from the audience.
Larson’s retirement follows an August placement on paid leave pending an investigation that has not been publicly released. In a Friday statement, Larson said she had not intended to retire and challenged the investigation’s findings. FOX 11 has requested the related records.
Next steps for recall supporters
Recall organizers plan to file a formal complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission alleging bias in Clerk Flagg’s decision. They intend to appeal the rejection and seek a new hearing, arguing that the signature totals clearly meet the statutory threshold.
Implications for the district
If the appeal succeeds, the board could be forced to hold a recall election, potentially reshaping the governance of the Winneconne School District. The outcome would also signal how strongly parental‑rights advocates can influence local school‑board composition in Winnebago County.
Background on recall process
Wisconsin law allows voters to initiate a recall of elected officials by gathering a petition with signatures equal to at least 25 % of the votes cast in the most recent election for that office. Once verified, the board must schedule a recall election within a prescribed timeframe.
For now, the Winneconne Board of Education continues its regular business while the recall supporters prepare their legal challenge.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
