Green Bay school board approves counseling resource and policy revisions; superintendent details school closures and energy plans

The Green Bay Area Public School District Board of Education unanimously approved three agenda items during its May 18 meeting: the school counseling resource adoption and revisions to Board Policy 345.62 (graduation ceremony) and Policy 343.3 (independent study). Each motion passed with all voting board members recorded in favor.

Alex moved to approve the school counseling resource adoption, Jeanette seconded, and Kinsey reported that online voting recorded all board members in favor. Alex then moved to approve revisions to Policy 345.62 with Andrew seconding; that motion also carried unanimously. Finally, Andrew moved revisions to Policy 343.3 on independent study and Mary seconded; the board again approved the motion with all members voting in favor. Kinsey announced that "all votes have been entered and the motion is carried with all board members voting in favor," each time.

Superintendent Vicki Bayer provided an extensive update on district activities and initiatives. Among the items she highlighted: district celebrations and student recognitions (Honors Choir, Student Success Award, staff recognition awards), partnership programs (a Preble–Pulaski culinary event, Bay Link Manufacturing certificates, Cup of Kindness project with Downtown Karvana Coffee House), and scholarship initiatives funded by alumni. Bayer said, "this was not a decision that I think any district in the state of Wisconsin would make, if not for the underfunding of public education," and stated that four schools — Elmore, Kennedy, Langlade and MacArthur — "will be closing at the end of the school year."

On facilities and sustainability, Cale of the Clean Energy Advisory Committee reported that four of the district's largest solar arrays have recently come online and the committee is working toward a public dashboard that will show energy and cost savings. Cale said retro‑commissioning of buildings is also underway to improve efficiency and that projections currently aim at offsetting recent increases in utility costs. Laura pressed for clarity on cost effects; Cale cautioned that the dashboard and firm numbers are forthcoming, noting estimates are currently projections.

Jeanette delivered a brief legislative update: a $1.8 billion tax and school funding package was proposed in a special session, passed the Assembly, and was defeated in the Senate; she said superintendents including Vicki Bayer had written lawmakers urging renewed negotiations on special education funding.

What the votes mean: The counseling resources and policy revisions were adopted as presented and will take effect according to district policy timelines. No further operational details or implementation timelines for those items were provided at the meeting. The announced school closures were presented as a consequence of district underfunding; the board did not vote on closures during the May 18 session and no implementation schedule was offered in the recorded remarks.

The meeting adjourned after routine business.