Antigo board opens wide-ranging discussion about fate of elementary buildings and central office; no votes taken

The Unified School District of Antigo Board of Education held an extended discussion about what to do with the district’s elementary buildings and central office once the new elementary building opens. No formal disposition decisions were made; board members asked staff to research titles, possible sale mechanisms and timing and to continue working on renderings and campus plans.

Board members generally supported relocating central office to the district campus near the new elementary and high school facilities if feasible. Several board members said having administration co‑located with schools would improve accessibility and reduce perceived separation between administration and students and families. Board members asked staff to investigate cost estimates for building a modest standalone administrative facility on the campus versus retrofitting an existing elementary building.

Most board members favored selling the existing elementary properties rather than retaining them. “They should be sold, not given away,” said Angie Shriver, a board member, urging sales at fair market value. Board members also discussed holding a bidding process or auction; one board member recounted a prior sale process that used sealed bids and said using reserve bids and transparent openings at a board meeting reduced claims of favoritism.

West Elementary drew separate attention because it includes the district football field and adjacent land to the south. Multiple board members said West’s future depends on whether the football field remains on the current site or is moved to the campus; if the field is moved, the board could market West and surrounding lots together. Suggestions included a “strip” or salvage auction of fixtures and materials if the district chooses demolition, and ensuring any auction or sale reaches regional buyers and developer groups rather than only local bidders.

Board members raised legal and title questions for rural elementary properties that complicated past sales: some former properties carried shared township titles that constrained direct sale, and members asked administration to verify deed status before marketing any property. The board also discussed whether to survey the community; several members said the referendum campaign and prior public comment indicated voters expected the district to move away from continued use of the old elementary buildings, so a separate survey was not necessary.

Staff gave status updates on the new elementary project: the Blue Design Group has provided floor‑plan revisions and renderings are being produced; staff said they are “ahead of timelines” in schematic design and hope to meet classroom‑layout review goals in March. Board members said they want renderings and cost estimates before final decisions on central office relocation or property sales. Several board members noted potential joint uses for vacated land—athletic complexes, baseball/softball fields, parking and tournament facilities—and noted community partners and donor groups have expressed interest in turf or field improvements.

Board members asked staff to prepare a transparent, auditable process for property disposition (reserve bids, open bid openings at a public meeting or use of statewide surplus auction platforms where required), to check title histories for constraints and to report back on estimated proceeds and costs (including demolition, remediation or legal fees). No formal motions were made on property sales at the meeting.

What happens next Staff will research deed/title constraints, provide estimates on central office build vs. retrofit costs, produce renderings and outline a recommended disposal process with timeline and legal steps for board review at future meetings.