Manitowoc interim superintendent outlines plan to close two elementary schools to reinvest $6.6 million

Interim superintendent Lee Tennis said the Manitowoc Public School District is recommending the closure of two elementary schools, Madison and Jackson, as part of a consolidation plan meant to right‑size facilities and free funds for upgrades to remaining buildings. "We're down like 3 schools worth of kids since 2001," Tennis told an audience at a community information session, linking long‑term enrollment decline to deferred maintenance and tight state funding.

Tennis said the district’s facility and staff advisory committees began meeting in January and presented detailed recommendations to the board on Nov. 25; a similar public session was held Dec. 1. He described the plan as a step to "have our house in order" before seeking further capital investment, saying closing Madison and Jackson would make roughly $6.6 million available to reinvest and allow the district to maximize earlier referendum dollars (about $25 million) on needed work.

Why now and what it would save: Tennis said operating fewer buildings will reduce ongoing costs. He estimated about $290,000 in annual operating savings from closing building doors and said staffing adjustments would track enrollment so class‑size targets — "we're holding the line on 18 or 19 kids in kindergarten" — would be preserved. He also told attendees the district aims to use vacant time in buildings earmarked for consolidation to complete repairs and upgrades before students occupy them.

Buildings and property: On the Madison site, Tennis said the land is jointly held with the City of Manitowoc (district roughly four acres, city roughly three) and any sale would require coordination with city officials: "If you sell the land, that's their call then on how they'll zone it, how they'll TIF it or not," he said. Jackson’s recommendation is to idle the building for a year while keeping essential systems functioning; Tennis said a temporary fix has addressed recent sewer issues and the boiler is currently working after prior problems.

Program and facility changes: The plan would shift programming into remaining schools and proposes using Stangel (also spelled in discussion as Stengel) as a larger receiving site, with some programming potentially staged to UW‑Green Bay facilities to allow time for renovations. Tennis said Riverview could be repurposed as an early learning center to expand 3K/4K offerings and the district will pursue day‑care partnerships to provide all‑day care while keeping early‑learning spaces centralized.

Community concerns: Residents pressed staff on timing, neighborhood impacts and transportation. One attendee asked why the district had not acted earlier after long‑observed declines; Tennis acknowledged the history but cited funding constraints and deferred maintenance. On bussing, Tennis said route changes and shuttle hubs are planned but the district does not expect a large per‑rider cost increase. Several parents voiced worry that closures could push families to enroll elsewhere; Tennis said the district is trying to slow "outs" and aims to regain students by expanding early‑learning and other programs.

Revenue context and vouchers: Tennis told the meeting that state voucher programs have cost the district about $6 million in lost levy revenue, noting the district currently is at a 10% voucher cap (one of three districts to reach the cap) and that the cap lifts next year. He framed voucher use as complicating the local funding picture and as part of broader fiscal pressures driving the consolidation recommendation.

Selection rationale and timing: Tennis described three factors for choosing Jackson (rather than Franklin) for closure: higher estimated rehab costs at Jackson (~$4.1 million vs. roughly $1.1 million for Franklin), an AGR funding allocation tied to Franklin (about $450,000) that would not transfer if Franklin closed, and the distribution of students geographically. The district is targeting implementation as soon as next school year but emphasized the board retains discretion to amend, piecemeal or delay recommendations; Tennis said staff were asked by the board to develop the details and would present the information for board consideration under unfinished business at the next regular meeting (Dec. 9).

Next steps: Staff will compile a frequently asked questions document, summarize community feedback for the board and continue meetings with city officials regarding jointly owned property. No formal board vote or final action occurred at this session.

The district urged residents to submit letters of interest for property reuse and said staff will be available after the session for further questions. The board will consider the recommendation at its upcoming meeting under unfinished business.