Appleton board weighs repurposing Columbus Elementary as parents press for options

The Appleton Area School District board on [date not specified] heard an outpouring of neighborhood testimony urging the district to preserve Columbus Elementary or repurpose it in ways that keep benefits for nearby families, while district administrators said the primary driver for change is sustained, low enrollment and constrained building capacity.

"The enrollment this year of Columbus is 79 students," said Mr. Hartjes, an administration lead, explaining the district’s position that very small grade-level cohorts make it difficult to staff teachers, specialists and student-services personnel in ways that meet students’ needs across instruction and special education.

Community speakers described Columbus as a neighborhood anchor. "This is unacceptable and reads as if the fast paced process is designed to minimize families' ability to give input,"…