Friday’s graduation ceremony came during a particularly fraught time in the district. A large group of residents, including a former district teacher who worked in the district prior to Briggs’ tenure, have voiced numerous frustrations with Briggs and other administrators, as well as with the School Board.
The group is currently attempting to recall Vodak and has until July 14 to submit more than 2,500 signatures to force a recall election. If the campaign is successful, Vodak said the election would be in late August or early September at the earliest. Vodak is up for re-election next spring.
Critics have accused Vodak of favoritism toward the administration, providing inadequate pay and administrative support for teachers, and unfairly firing former Jack Young Middle School Principal Abby Alt and former school resource officer Amanda Sabol, among others.
Many of those grievances have been shared through social media, including the Baraboo Community Conversations and Baraboo SD WI Parents’ Rights in EducationFacebook pages.