MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Amid budget shortfalls and declining enrollment, school districts across Northeast Wisconsin have been forced to make cuts — and Manitowoc could soon have to do the same.
The Manitowoc Public School District is recommending a number of major changes to its facilities and presented their proposal to the school board Tuesday night.
The changes include:
- Closing Madison and Jackson Elementary Schools
- Converting Riverview to an Early Learning Center, with plans to expand to full day 4K
- Switching Wilson to serve grades 5-6 and Washington to grades 7-8
- The High School Alternative Learning Programs would move to UWGB Manitowoc campus
Right now, Madison and Jackson have 538 students combined. The 257 students at Riverview Elementary would be moved to the Stangel Learning Community.
Although he acknowledged the process was very difficult, MPSD Superintendent Lee Thennes said the reasoning is simple.
“The factors that are driving this is our declining enrollment and our aged school buildings,” said Thennes. He added, “You really have to try to take the heart out of it completely and really just focus on the data, the facts, the figures and what makes most sense.”
The proposal would save the district $2 million per year. $6.6 million previously dedicated to Madison and Jackson Elementary Schools could be used elsewhere.
“We’re really excited about the enhancements we can make with our existing schools by saving some money, by not putting them into schools that we don’t need anymore,” said Thennes.
Board President Biff Hansen says saving money isn’t everything.
“Sometimes, it’s not dollar for dollar when you’re talking about educating students and children,” said Hansen.
According to Thennes, under the proposal, the plan would be to sell Madison Elementary. Jackson would sit idle for a year while the district decides what to do with the building and property.
The proposal would likely mean 12 professional staff and 32 support staff positions would be cut, which could come from retirements or staff leaving the district.
“These reductions aren’t really the direct result of closing schools, because we have kids to educate and adults follow kids,” said Thennes.
There’s still time for your voice to be heard. The public will have the opportunity to give their feedback during a community information session Monday at 6 p.m. in the Lincoln High School auditorium.
“If the public’s completely against this, we may have to go a different direction. If there’s very little opposition, then maybe we accept it,” said Hansen.
The vote on this recommendation could come Dec. 9, but Hansen says with enough public feedback, he expects it to be delayed until the end of the month.
