Manitowoc School District proposes closing two elementaries, shifting middle grades to 5-6 and 7-8

Manitowoc — The Manitowoc School District presented a facility consolidation plan that would close Madison and Jackson elementary schools, reassign students across four K–4 elementaries, and reconfigure middle grades into a 5–6 intermediate building (Wilson) and a 7–8 building (Washington), district staff told the school board during a presentation.

The administration said the recommendations respond to a long-term enrollment decline of nearly 1,200 students and aim to create more equitable class sizes, expanded elective offerings, and improved special-education staffing. The district estimated repairs at Madison at $2,500,000 and at Jackson at $4,100,000 and said consolidating would allow it to reallocate approximately $6,610,000 — about 26% — of a recently passed $25,000,000 capital referendum to higher-priority building projects.

District presenters said the K–4 plan would permit consistent sections across elementaries, reduce the need for traveling noncore staff, and allow kindergarten class sizes closer to an 18-student target. They also proposed partnering with a local daycare and the UW Green Bay Manitowoc campus to provide all-day 4K and to relocate alternative high-school and 18–21 special education programs to age-appropriate facilities.

"We cannot continue to operate business as usual that has declined by nearly 1,200 students in the past couple decades," a presenter said while summarizing the analysis of enrollment, building repair costs and transportation implications.

Administrators projected operational efficiencies, including 12 fewer teaching positions and 32 fewer support-staff positions under one modeled scenario, and estimated annual non-staff savings of about $290,000 by running two fewer schools. The district also said it will put the central office building on the market and follow district policies if the board approves sale or decommissioning of properties.

Board members raised concerns about the community impact of closing Madison, noting it has high free-and-reduced-lunch and special-education percentages and is described in the meeting as a high-performing school. One board member asked the administration to run alternate scenarios that would keep Jackson open and move different attendance zones to reduce busing; administrators said they have run multiple scenarios and can provide additional maps and numbers.

On transportation, staff said elementary routes would be redesigned but largely follow current drop-off points; middle-grade transitions would rely on expanded shuttle routes. The presenters noted state hazardous-zone designations (which can require county law enforcement input) may be necessary to qualify some students for bus service across natural barriers.

Administrators emphasized staff transition planning: HR will survey teachers about grade- and building preferences, allow requests to remain paired with teaching partners when possible, and follow the professional handbook (seniority, certification, personnel records) for placements. The district said it would aim to limit disruption, noting only four of its 36 attendance zones (about 106 students) would change schools under the proposed plan.

The board set public input opportunities, including a public meeting at Lincoln High School auditorium on Dec. 1 and an option to consider the item at the regular Dec. 9 meeting or at a special meeting Dec. 16 if more time is needed. Administration also said it will collect feedback through an online form and additional listening sessions.

The presentation flagged longer-term secondary-school work as separate from the immediate consolidation proposal; a consultant on hand said major changes for Lincoln High School or a replacement would likely require a months-long planning process and probably a referendum if large capital investments are needed.

The board did not take a vote on the consolidation plan at the meeting. The session ended with routine adjournment.

The district provided cost estimates and savings projections during the presentation; those figures and the proposed timeline are subject to further review and public input before any board action.