Hundreds of recall signatures delivered in Raymond as school board president addresses deep community divide

RAYMOND, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The latest chapter in the Raymond School saga unfolded Monday evening, Dec. 18.

When Dr. James Heiden takes over for resigning superintendent Michael Garvey at the start of the new year, he'll inherit a situation many community members say is full of mistrust and uncertainty.

Heiden's appointment comes after several tumultuous months that have caused several divisions in the Raymond community.

Heiden introduced himself to the community before Monday night's board meeting. A short time later a vocal community group dropped off hundreds of signatures in their recall efforts of two board members.

There was tension throughout: moments before the board meeting began, a group pushing to recall board members Gwen Keller and Janell Wise delivered its completed recall petitions.

The group said it needed to collect 497 signatures by Dec. 26. A week early, they dropped off 666 and 667 signatures in a binder.

Mitchell Berman has been a vocal leader of the recall effort.

He said Monday, "Our community has been grappling with division, a lack of transparency, and a growing sense of mistrust. The wounds run deep."

Berman told board members directly, "Certify the recall, resign, and step aside. It's time to acknowledge you've done enough damage already."

But the future of the school board is only one issue. Transparency has also been a concern for months.

Dorrae Moonen is a member of the recall group who collected signatures for the petition. She told us, "To say it's just parents here, it's the whole community. We're all concerned with what's going on at the school."

And another issue is the changing district leadership in the present.

Taking over for principal Jeff Peterson is interim principal Peter Kempen.

Kempen was introduced Monday night, and said, "The parents have been welcoming, as well, which has been fantastic. Truly a warm reception. The staff has been tremendous, as well."

But outgoing superintendent Michael Garvey addressed the tension in farewell remarks, citing "all the distractions that the district has suffered through over the past six months."

Garvey was usually an ally of the board's voting majority.

Moonen said, "We believed that we needed to do something to get the school back on track. To spend the money on the kids, on the education they deserve."

After the meeting, board president Audrey Kostuch said the division within the community is a travesty.

And while she used to think Raymond was a great place to live, she said now, "it's made me have second thoughts. Because there's a lot of venom and hate."

Kostuch said the efforts of the grassroots group to request records and recall board members has kept the district from addressing critical needs, like a new funding referendum for building facilities.

Kostuch told us, "I look at the hate that sits in the audience, and it's not who Raymond is."

Several people wanted to speak with us, but they declined to go on camera, saying they fear retribution from the board.

The board now has up to 31 days to certify the petition signatures. If certified, a recall election would be set for a few weeks after.