Council hears public concerns as private school seeks conditional use at former St. Rita’s site

The West Allis Common Council on March 18 heard public testimony and a staff presentation on a request by the Academy of Excellence to use the former St. Rita’s school building at 6021 W. Lincoln Ave. for a high school.

City planning staff described the application as a conditional use request required for schools in the C-2 commercial zone and said the Planning Commission has recommended council approval with conditions. Steve Sherrer, a city staff presenter, said the proposal would use the existing school building, lease the church parking lot and an adjacent gymnasium, and stage pupil buses on-site. "Not that I’m aware of. It’s still a nonprofit entity and would remain nontaxable," Sherrer said when asked whether the purchase would change the property’s tax status.

The hearing drew public opposition focused on financial impacts to public schools and local taxpayers. Kristin Kaiser, identifying herself as a member of the West Allis-West Milwaukee School Board but speaking as a constituent, urged the council to deny the proposal on the grounds that voucher and charter schools divert funding and…