GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Teachers of a Green Bay elementary school brought the fight to keep their school open to the district’s school board meeting Monday night.
The school district is considering closing Jefferson Elementary School as a way to combat declining enrollment. However, FOX 11 found out the move could also save the district up to $500,000.
Wearing purple Jefferson Elementary shirts, teachers showed up to the meeting to list the reasons why their school should stay open.
“Research proves time and time again that small schools are what’s best for learning,” said Megan Jimenez, a 5th-grade teacher at Jefferson.
Jefferson has about 115 students. The district is considering moving them less than a mile to Fort Howard Elementary and using the Jefferson building as a Head Start Learning Center for the city’s west side.
Jefferson teachers and parents say a major concern is services for a student population that largely comes from at-risk and/or trauma filled homes.
“We are worried the district formula will not allow for our full-time counselor and half time social worker to move there and continue to assist children as we staff who are in the building every day how our students need,’ said Jimenez.
“When you consolidate a school you have the opportunity to not only have more resources for children than in smaller schools, you can leverage those,” said Michelle Langenfeld, the superintendent for the district.
While district administrators say several options are still being considered, Fort Howard has room for every Jefferson student.
The move could also save the district the most money. Part of the cost savings is because Head Start is federally funded and would take on the operating expenses of Jefferson if it moves in.
Langenfeld tells FOX 11 it’s still early…
“We are in the exploratory phase, so we don’t have all the answers, because if we had all the answers, then it would be done.”
Several school board members said the numbers can’t be the only thing looked at.
“It is about relationships and families and staff that’s committed and all those things,” said Rhonda Sitnikau, a school board member.
The school board is expected to decide in two weeks whether closing Jefferson is an option it will continue to consider. There is no timeline for when a final decision could be made.
School board members also expressed desire in exploring whether things can be done to boost enrollment at Jefferson.
