Superintendent: Gegan Elementary School could reopen as soon as February

Letters marking Gegan Elementary School are torn off off the building or left in pieces, July 28, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A tornado recovery update for the Menasha school board.

“Nobody chose this as our event, but everyone is choosing their response. And that response in this district and in this community has been unbelievable,” said Menasha Superintendent, Dan Slowey.

The district is working with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and state leaders, looking at its options for financial relief.

The district’s Director of Business Services, Brian Adesso, says those options are currently limited.

“I think what we’re more working on is maybe for the future for districts that go through this, then that they may have more resources by hopefully getting some legislation passed,” said Adesso.

Menasha’s school year begins in one week. Earlier this month, Superintendent Dan Slowey said all students in the district will have a classroom to walk into next Monday.

However, for the students that should be going to Gegan Elementary School, they’ll be split between two other elementary schools within the district.

Using highway 47 as the divider, students from Gegan will be split between Butte des Morts and Clovis Grove Elementary Schools.

According to the district, just like students, it’s teachers have been split among schools, each with their own classroom.

“That means so much that we’re able to have that space to make that happen for our staff, students, and our families,” said Slowey.

Slowey says Gegan Elementary could reopen as early as this school year. The building suffered smashed windows and holes in the roof during an EF-3 tornado in July.

“We’re making progress, but what we know right now based on the supplies and the work we need to have done. The earliest we’d be able to have access to that building would be in February,” said Slowey.

Slowey says even if the district could get back into Gegan Elementary next February or March, he wouldn’t ask the students to come back until next fall when the school year starts.

Another transition in February or March at the earliest, it just would not make sense for our students, our families, or our staff. So, our goal would be and is we’ll be moving in, moving back, in the fall.

The district began its week of open houses Monday. Gegan students who will be walking into a new school building, will have a chance to see it on Thursday.

Also Monday, Menasha’s school board passed a resolution acknowledging the response to the tornado from district personnel.