Recall effort for Onalaska School Board member Jake Speed moving ahead

Special election would take place Nov. 28. 

The next step in a group’s effort to recall Onalaska School Board member Jake Speed is moving forward.

The school board is expected to accept the results of the recall, which got 2,285 signatures. A special election could be set up Nov. 28.

Mark Cassellius, who helped lead the group, says there’s satisfaction among the members.

“I’m elated along with the rest of our core group that’s been working so hard on this,” he said.

Speed has been at loggerheads with the board and administration for months. He says members of the board, the media and school administration have tried to make him look bad.

Cassellius knows this isn’t over.

“He did not challenge any of the signatures on the recall petition,” Cassellius said. “As far as resignation, I think he’s made it pretty clear, he has no intention of doing that.”

Speed was previously censured by the board for what they called conduct unbecoming of a school board member.

Deanna Verdon, who was on the school board until this past April, said she will run against Speed if the election goes forward.