Winneconne, Wis. – Village clerk Kari Flagg has told residents that the official circulation period for the recall petitions targeting school board president Kati Calewarts and vice president Dean Ackmann never began. Flaggs statement comes after she accepted the petition registration documents on July 16, a step that organizers believed would trigger the start of the signature‑gathering window.
Recall organizers claim over 2,300 signatures
The group behind the recall effort turned in more than 2,300 signatures last month, asserting that they have met the required threshold to force a recall election. The petitioners argue that the signatures demonstrate broad community concern over the board’s recent decisions, which they say have strayed from traditional educational values and parental‑rights priorities.
Clerk’s position and legal filing
Flagg counters that the procedural requirements for initiating the recall have not been satisfied. She notes that Wisconsin law requires a formal declaration that the circulation period has begun before signatures can be counted toward the recall threshold. Because she has not issued such a declaration, Flaggs office maintains that the petitions cannot yet be certified.
In response, the recall organizers have filed a formal complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission, asking the agency to review the clerk’s handling of the paperwork and to determine whether the circulation period should be deemed to have started on July 16. The commission’s decision will guide the next steps for both the board members and the petitioners.
Implications for the school board and community
The dispute highlights the importance of clear, transparent processes in local governance. Parents and community members who support the board emphasize the need for stability and continuity in school leadership, especially as the district works to uphold traditional family values and faith‑based education initiatives.
Critics of the board, however, argue that the recall effort reflects legitimate concerns about policy direction and fiscal stewardship. They point to recent budget proposals and curriculum changes that they say do not align with the community’s expectations.
Next steps
The Wisconsin Elections Commission is expected to review the complaint and issue a ruling in the coming weeks. If the commission determines that the circulation period was valid, the signatures could be certified, potentially leading to a recall election later this year. If the commission upholds Flaggs position, the petitioners will need to restart the process, which could delay any recall action until the next election cycle.
Both sides have called for calm and respectful dialogue as the matter proceeds through the proper legal channels. The outcome will shape the future of Winneconne’s school board and set a precedent for how recall petitions are handled in the village moving forward.
Original reporting: WHBY (Appleton) — read the source article.
