GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The school board for Green Bay’s public schools voted last night to close a west side elementary school.
As part of the plan, Jefferson Elementary School students will go to Fort Howard Elementary School next year.
After weeks of public discussion, the board voted 4 to 3 to consolidate the two schools.
“It is a moral and ethical responsibility to do this right,” said Laura McCoy, a school board member. “I feel like we can do that.”
At 115 students, Jefferson has the lowest enrollment of the district’s 26 elementary schools. Fort Howard has enough empty classrooms to take on all of the students, at a combined enrollment of 298 students.
The district says it would save at least $336,784 consolidating the schools. However, the district has said that the amount could be as high as $500,000.
The move opens up the Jefferson building to be a new west side hub for Head Start students.
But former Jefferson teacher, Jennifer Woldt, tells FOX 11…
“Jefferson staff members have felt some of the data being provided to them has been presented out of context to suit the district’s effort in consolidating Jefferson with Fort Howard.”
Current and former Jefferson staff filled the board’s meeting room for the vote. Their concerns about consolidation included transportation, the amount of student services, and a lack of transparency throughout the process.
“You should say heck with the numbers, I’m going to vote for the kids,” said Mike Phillips, a volunteer at Jefferson. “Isn’t that why we’re all here?”
“If you don’t choose wisely, that propagates through the system,” said Dan Kiernan, who headed the district’s task force on school boundaries.
Before voting, board members differed on what the public wants.
“I’m not really hearing anything other than this is not in the best interest of our families and staff,” said Rhonda Sitnikau, a school board member.
“I have heard from people that are sitting in this room who have said to me I understand, I understand why this conversation is being held,” said Michelle Langenfeld, the district’s superintendent.
Just after the consolidation vote happened, Jefferson staff privately huddled up. They were emotional as they left the building, all declining to comment on the vote.
